MAKING MAP

A. Why are you making your map? PURPOSE

a. To clarify goal
b. To determine relevant data, map design, and symbolization choices.
B. Who is your map for?
a. Background of the target audience
i. Experts: expects more and expect to engage a complex map
ii. Novice: know less, map that is self-explanatory
1. Peripheral information explaining content and symbols
2. Less information, fewer variables of information, less
detail
3. Follow map conventions, which enhance
comprehension of the map for novice map readers
C. What is the final medium?
a. Computer Monitor: less area, lower resolution, suggesting design
modification
Limit map size, fits on the screen (w/o scrolling or
magnification)
Increase font size >14
Point and line 15% larger than on paper
Distinct patterns
Limit complexity
Use color, white will be more intense than black
For internet, save at 72 dpi
Design it so it works on different monitors
b. Paper: Black & White
Map size: paper size with margins
Font size: 10pt ok
Point and line can be smaller
More subtle patterns
More data and more complex data
Range of greys, black and white
Black is more intense
Monochrome copiers reproduce grey poorly
Very light grey may not print
c. Paper: Color
Adjust colors on the computer so they look good when
printed
Users may reproduce your color map in B&W
Map size: paper size with margins
Font size: 10pt ok
Point and line can be smaller
More subtle patterns
More data and more complex data
Use color value to show differences in amount or
importance.
Use color hue to show difference in kind
Dark colors are more intense than light
Never print a color map in b&w; redesign it

d. Projected Medium
Require adjustments (so map is legible from a distance)
White and lighter will be more intense
Black and darker colors more subdued
Greater map size is offset
More distinct patterns
Limit amount and complexity of data
Intensify colors
e. Posters
Similar to projected maps
Design map title and mapped area so they are legible from
across the room
Majority of type, point and line symbols should be slightly
larger than on a typical printed map but not as large as on
monitor or projected map (legible from an arms length)
More complex info
Follow conventions for printed maps
Use white for bg, lighter for less importance
D. Evaluating your map
a. Serves its GOAL, meeting the needs of its AUDIENCE, works well in
its medium
i. Document what you do for future reference
1. Vital if map is to be published
2. Document General Issues:
a. Goal, Audience, Final Medium and details
about the medium that will affect map design
and reproduction.
b. Amount of time to create map, problems and
solution.
c. Keep copies of map and info where it was
published and presented.
3. Document Data Issues:
a. Source of data (contact and copyright info)
b. Age, quality and limitations of data
c. How data were processed
d. Map projection and system information
4. Document Design Issues:
a. Map size, scale and sketches of layouts
b. Intellectual and visual hierarchies
c. All data classification and generalization
d. All sources and the character of map symbols
e. Type size, font, etc
f. Color specification
g. Design and software problems, and solutions
ii. Formative Evaluation
1. Reforming and evaluating the design of the map
2. Engaging your mind as you make your map, and being
open to critique and change
iii. Impact Evaluation
1. Informal and formal valuation of the final map
MAP DESIGN PROCESS

Problem Identification Preliminary Ideas Design Refinement

Analysis Decision - Implementation

Cartographic Generalization: simplifies the representation of the geographic

data to produce a map at a certain scale with defined and readable legend
Cartographic Abstractions: part of the mapping process wherein unmapped
data is transformed into map form and necessary information is selected and
organizes to develop the understanding of map details
ELEMENTS OF GENERALIZATION
SELECTION: intellectual process of selecting/deciding which information is
necessary to carry out the purpose of the map successfully
CLASSIFICATION: process in which data/objects are group/classified having
same or identical features | ordering, scaling and grouping of features by their
attributes and attribute values| QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE (Natural Breaks,
Standard Deviation, Equal Interval, Quantile)
EXAGGERATION: Enlargement or alteration of a features to emphasize its
importance, in consonance with the purpose and scale of the map
SIMPLICATION: determination and retention of the important characteristics of
feature attributes and elimination of unwanted detail | REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF
INFORMATION
1. Elimination Routines point and feature simplification
2. Modification Routines smoothing and enhancement
SYMBOLIZATION: graphic coding of the summarization, devising set of marks
or symbols for real-world things | OBJECTIVE: to translate the classified,
simplified and exaggerated features to graphic marks on the map
1. Replicative real-world counterparts
2. Abstract geometric
INDUCTION: making of inferences from interrelationships among features on
the map
CONTROLS OF GENERALIZATION
Generalization and abstraction is RELATED TO MAP PURPOSE, RELATED
TO SCALE, PARTLY SUBJECTIVE AND OUTPUT RELATED
WHY DO WE GENERALIZE?

Clear map communication through expressive and associative

symbols
Attain level of generalization according to map purpose
Select/emphasize objects according to map purpose
Make the map elements legible
Map contents can be graphically represented appropriately