geography 409 advanced spatial analysis and gis principles of effective cartographic design - 1 -
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Geography 409 Advanced Spatial Analysis and GIS Principles of Effective Cartographic Design - 1 - Julia Siemer U of R, Winter 2006. “Graphics software no more guarantees good maps than word-processing software assures good writing” - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Geography 409
Advanced Spatial Analysis and GIS
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
- 1 -
Julia Siemer U of R, Winter 2006
2/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
“Graphics software no more guarantees
good maps than word-processing software
assures good writing”
[M. Monmonier, 1993, page 12, “Mapping it out”]
3/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Cartography Study and practice of making maps
Map A map is a symbolised image of geographical reality,representing selected features or characteristics,
resultingfrom the creative effort of its author's execution
of choices,and is designed for use when spatial relationships
are ofprimary relevance.
[International Cartographic Association, www.icaci.org]
Definitions
4/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Communicate information graphically Answering questions like:
Where is…?
What is…?
How many…? Revealing (unknown) spatial relationships
Why Use Maps?
5/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
What is your map for? Different goals call for different maps
Why Are You Making Your Map?
6/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Who is your map for?
Experts/novices, adults/children What is the final medium?
Computer monitor/paper (b/w or colour)/projected/posters
=> Resolution, colour schemes, size, more/less fine lettering
and symbols
Why Are You Making Your Map?
7/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
The reason a map is being made suggests appropriate tools Making maps without the computer Making maps on the internet Making maps with GIS
Manipulate/analyse data numerically or visually: mapping in GIS
Publish results as maps, export maps
=> GIS include basic map-making and map design capabilities Graphic design tools
Map-Making Tools
8/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Map Layout
Map body Title Legend (key) Scale (graphical, numerical) Sources, date, author etc. Projection information Orientation Insets/locator maps Explanatory text
8/18
9/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Map Layout
Arrange the elements
according
to the typical eye movement
and
the visual focus
Balance the map elements
Arrange the elements by
using
horizontal and vertical
spaces
poor layout good layout
10/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Map Layout
Arrange the elements
according
to the typical eye movement
and
the visual focus
Balance the map elements
Arrange the elements by
using
horizontal and vertical
spaces
poor layout good layout
11/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Intellectual hierarchy (after Dent 1999)
1. Thematic symbols,
Title, legend material, symbols and labeling
2. Base map - land areas, including political
boundaries, significant
physical features
3. Base map - water features, such as oceans,
lakes, rivers
4. Important explanatory materials - map
source and credits,
Other base map elements - labels, grids,
scales
[after Dent 1999]
12/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy Figure-ground phenomenon: most primitive form of perceptual organization (=
automatic mechanism) Objects that stand out against their background are referred to as figures, their
formless backgrounds as grounds Layering of data (subtraction of weight) enhances representation of ordered
information
13/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy
Perceptual grouping of elementsShape
Size
Texture
Proximity
Colour
14/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy
Layering and outlines
15/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy
16/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy
17/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual HierarchiesVisual hierarchy Make a list of the elements on your map Arrange them from most important in your map’s intellectual hierarchy to least
important Select visual symbols/a visual hierarchy which reflect(s)
these priorities
18/18J. Siemer – U of R – Winter 2006 GEOG 409 – 1
Cartography
Principles of Effective Cartographic Design
Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies
Visual hierarchy - summary Visual difference separates figure from ground Figure has more detail than ground Sharp edges/outlines help separatefigure from ground
Visual hierarchy is enhanced whenground appears to continue behind the figure
Coarser texture tends to stand out as figure Elements with simple closed shapes tend to beseen as figure