3.3 Map Design
The title of a map should be dominant in size and is typically the largest text on the map. A good map title should focus the user’s attention on the purpose of the map. A good map title should also be brief, but descriptive. Typically, a map title will include information such as where the map is focused, what information is being focused upon, and the timeframe for which the map is applicable. Map titles are typically placed at the top center of the production medium, however a map title can truly be placed anywhere so long as it is easily found by the map user. If the map is a figure in a larger document, you should not place the title on the map, but instead, place the title of the map in the caption.
The map body is the main focus of the map and contains the geographic features that are important to the message of the map. The map body is typically the largest map element on the map, and should dominate the user’s attention. Typically, when designing a layout, the map body is placed first, and other elements are then placed around. However, do not be afraid to move or resize the map body to better accommodate other elements. In the end however the map body, being the map element we want the user to focus on the most, should be easy to find, dominant, and of adequate size to show the geospatial data.
Inset maps are small ancillary maps that have a larger scale than the main map body. The role of an inset map is to show more detail in a map body of a smaller geographic area. On this illustration, the United States of America is the main map body, and the smaller map of Arkansas in the lower right-hand corner, is the inset map which a showing a smaller area at more detail. To make it obvious to the map reader where the inset map is referring to on the main map, you should show an outline of the extents of the inset map of the main map body, or provide leader lines from the main map body to the inset map.
A location map is a small ancillary map that is at a smaller scale the map body. The location map identifies a location of where the main map body is in a larger geographic context. A location map should be used when the location of an area on the main map body is unfamiliar or not intuitive to the map reader. In this illustration, the map of Arkansas is the main map body, and the smaller map of the lower right-hand corner is the location map. Similar to the inset map, there is a visual marker on the inset map that shows the map reader where the main map body is located.
The map scale is used to measure linear relationships on the map. A map scale is typically included on a reference map, but is not required to be included on thematic maps. A map scale should only be included on a map when you want the user to measure the distance on the map, or the scale of the map is not intuitive to the map reader. There are three types of scales that we can place on a map: a graphic scale, a verbal scale, and a representative fraction scale. The graphic scale is perhaps the most common type of scale placed on maps. The graphic scale is a visual representation of the ratio at which the earth’s been reduced. The graphic scale typically starts at zero, and measures out to a meaningful, typically round number. One major advantage of a graphic scale is that if the map is enlarged or reduced,say using a photocopier, then the graphic scale will scale with the enlargement or reduction, and will always be correct. This is not the case with the verbal scale or representative fraction scale. The second type of scale is the verbal scale. The verbal scale is a statement that describes how a distance measured on the map relates to a distance measured on the ground. Again, it is important to use meaningful, typically rounded measurement units to make it easier for the map user to measure distances. The third type of scale is the representative fraction scale and is sometimes referred to as the unit scale. In the representative fraction scale, the numbers the left of the colon represent how many units of measure on a map there are related to the number to the right of the colon.
The legend map element identifies unknown or unique map features succinctly. A legend may optionally have a title, or contain the title of the entire map. The legend needs to have representative symbols that are found on the map followed by a description of what the symbol represents. The symbols on the legend should be the exact same color, shape, and size of the symbol shown the map. If the symbol on the map varies in size, the symbol in the legend should be the size of an average sized symbol on the map. Let’s look at two examples of legends. For a general reference map legend, it would display all symbols found on the map. The representative symbol should be to the left of the short description, and the legend can be organized vertically in one or more columns. For thematic map, and in this case, a graduated symbol map, the graduate circle legend is to show how the size of the symbol changes with the value of the attribute that it is representing. Graduated symbol legends can be placed in a vertical layout, horizontal layout, or a nested layout. The directional indicator is often considered as part of a legend, and may be placed inside the neat line is round legend, near the legend, or elsewhere of a map.
The directional indicator, commonly a North arrow, is necessary when North is not at the top of the map, or the map readers are unfamiliar with the area being displayed on the map. Because map readers are typically familiar with the orientation of large landmasses, or their own country or state, North arrows are often not necessary on small scale maps. The directional indicator should be reasonable in size, not dominant at all, but should still be easily found by the map reader.
Labels communicate attribute or ancillary information directly on the map body, and relate to map features on the map body. The purpose of a label is to identify features on the map, and help users to orient themselves to the information being displayed on the map. Label should be placed at locations that allow the map reader to easily associate the label with the feature it is labeling, and should be reasonable in size.
The metadata, or credits, cite the source of data sets used to create a map, provide the map author’s information, the data map was created, and other explanatory information about the creation of the map. As the metadata is typically not an important part of the map, it should not be visually dominating. Instead, the metadata is typically placed along a bottom edge of the map and deemphasized. If the map reader wants to read the metadata, they will typically spend a little time searching for it.
The graticule map element visually represents a coordinate system or location scheme. You should include the graticule on a map if the map reader will be referencing coordinate locations throughout the map. You should use meaningful divisions on the graticule so that it is easy for the map reader to use it. Typically, graticules are omitted from thematic maps as the purpose of a thematic map is not to measure, but to look at spatial distribution and patterns of the data.
The neatline is considered the frame of the map. The neat line should encapsulate the map and if needed map elements. The goal of the neat line is to provide a nice, clean frame for the map to live within, and to separate the map from surrounding items on the medium, and direct users eyes to the center of the map. Neatlines should not be visually dominant, but should be large enough so that the eye can use it as a frame.
Ancillary text and ancillary objects or additional, supporting, information that provides a greater understanding of the topic of the map. Examples of ancillary text or objects, may be text, pictures, sounds, movies, graphs, and so on. Two common reasons to include ancillary text on a map are to indicate to the map reader the ways in which the data was manipulated that is pertinent to the interpretation of the map, or, to indicate special cases or missing data.
With the map elements described in more detail, we should take a brief moment to explain best practices when placing these map elements on a map. It is important that you place map elements so that they are positioned and sized in accordance with their importance. The most important items should be roughly at the center of the map. Important items should also be placed at the top of the page. This is typically why the title is at the top of the page, and the map body is in the center of the page. Map elements should use as much space as possible within the neat line so that white space is reduced. Additionally, the map elements should be placed around the map so that the map has a visual balance that is pleasing to the eye.
There are 10 items in the cartographer’s code of ethics. The first item is to have a straightforward agenda. The purpose of your map should be readily evident to your map reader, and should not be deceiving or confusing. Maps should be as transparent as possible with regard to the purpose of their message. The second code is to strive to know your audience. To effectively communicate your message using a map, you need to be aware of your audience, and what their level of knowledge is with respect to your message. For instance, if you are creating a map that will show breeding grounds of a very specific type of fish, and you use scientific names and terms to label the map but your audience is elementary school children, your map, and therefore message, will be lost. Conversely, if your audience is going to be a very scientifically minded group you should use the complicated terminology and include more depth to the map knowing that the audience will be spending more time dissecting your map and looking for deeper patterns and meaning. Designing a map with the wrong audience in mind can render your map almost completely useless. The third code is to not intentionally lie with data. Do not mold the data with the intent to deceive. You should strive to have your map to be is neutral as possible when displaying the data. Like books, people tend to trust maps for being trustworthy. The fourth code is a map should always show all relevant data when possible. Showing relevant data provides important context for the map reader to use to interpret the message of the map. Excluding important or contextual information on the map may paint in an incomplete picture of the situation and not allow your map reader to get the whole story. This is not to say that you should include as much data as possible, as cluttering the map with unimportant information is almost as bad as leaving out important information. You should use the minimum amount of information possible to convey your intended message which will create a clean, concise map. The next code is a map should not discard contrary data just because it is contrary. Again, your map should be as much as possible a neutral representation of reality. Just because the data does not fit the message that you had in mind, you shouldn’t just discard it. The sixth code is that the map should strive for an accurate portrayal of the data. Do not intentionally place the data in a poor light, or exaggerate, or diminish the data. The seventh code is to avoid plagiarizing. Just like when you write a scientific paper; you should always properly cite your sources of information. This is also true for a map; properly cite your sources in the metadata on the map. The eighth code is to select symbols that will not bias the map. The symbols should be neutral representations of features. If you choose a symbol that would cause the map reader to unfairly view the feature in an unfavorable light, then you are purposely biasing the map, and not providing a neutral representation. Code number nine in the cartographers code of ethics is that the map should be repeatable. What this means is that if you chose the symbols well, had a straightforward agenda, did not lie nor discard contrary data, then another cartographer should be able to independently create a similar map using the same data and focusing on the same message. By similar, I do not mean the same colors, layout, or symbols, I mean a map that successfully portrays the same message. The final code is to pay attention to different cultural values and principles when making your map. If possible, you should be sensitive to the cultural values and principles of your audience. For instance, certain colors represent different meanings in different cultures. While red may represent danger to an American, it may represent peace in another culture. If you’re making a map for an audience whose culture differs from your own, you should do some research on topics relevant to mapmaking, such as significance of color or significance of certain symbols.
In summary, when creating a map, you should always strive to provide a truthful, neutral representation of reality targeted specifically for your audiences’ level of knowledge so that your map can effectively convey your intended message.
The map body is the main focus of the map and contains the geographic features that are important to the message of the map. The map body is typically the largest map element on the map, and should dominate the user’s attention. Typically, when designing a layout, the map body is placed first, and other elements are then placed around. However, do not be afraid to move or resize the map body to better accommodate other elements. In the end however the map body, being the map element we want the user to focus on the most, should be easy to find, dominant, and of adequate size to show the geospatial data.
Inset maps are small ancillary maps that have a larger scale than the main map body. The role of an inset map is to show more detail in a map body of a smaller geographic area. On this illustration, the United States of America is the main map body, and the smaller map of Arkansas in the lower right-hand corner, is the inset map which a showing a smaller area at more detail. To make it obvious to the map reader where the inset map is referring to on the main map, you should show an outline of the extents of the inset map of the main map body, or provide leader lines from the main map body to the inset map.
A location map is a small ancillary map that is at a smaller scale the map body. The location map identifies a location of where the main map body is in a larger geographic context. A location map should be used when the location of an area on the main map body is unfamiliar or not intuitive to the map reader. In this illustration, the map of Arkansas is the main map body, and the smaller map of the lower right-hand corner is the location map. Similar to the inset map, there is a visual marker on the inset map that shows the map reader where the main map body is located.
The map scale is used to measure linear relationships on the map. A map scale is typically included on a reference map, but is not required to be included on thematic maps. A map scale should only be included on a map when you want the user to measure the distance on the map, or the scale of the map is not intuitive to the map reader. There are three types of scales that we can place on a map: a graphic scale, a verbal scale, and a representative fraction scale. The graphic scale is perhaps the most common type of scale placed on maps. The graphic scale is a visual representation of the ratio at which the earth’s been reduced. The graphic scale typically starts at zero, and measures out to a meaningful, typically round number. One major advantage of a graphic scale is that if the map is enlarged or reduced,say using a photocopier, then the graphic scale will scale with the enlargement or reduction, and will always be correct. This is not the case with the verbal scale or representative fraction scale. The second type of scale is the verbal scale. The verbal scale is a statement that describes how a distance measured on the map relates to a distance measured on the ground. Again, it is important to use meaningful, typically rounded measurement units to make it easier for the map user to measure distances. The third type of scale is the representative fraction scale and is sometimes referred to as the unit scale. In the representative fraction scale, the numbers the left of the colon represent how many units of measure on a map there are related to the number to the right of the colon.
The legend map element identifies unknown or unique map features succinctly. A legend may optionally have a title, or contain the title of the entire map. The legend needs to have representative symbols that are found on the map followed by a description of what the symbol represents. The symbols on the legend should be the exact same color, shape, and size of the symbol shown the map. If the symbol on the map varies in size, the symbol in the legend should be the size of an average sized symbol on the map. Let’s look at two examples of legends. For a general reference map legend, it would display all symbols found on the map. The representative symbol should be to the left of the short description, and the legend can be organized vertically in one or more columns. For thematic map, and in this case, a graduated symbol map, the graduate circle legend is to show how the size of the symbol changes with the value of the attribute that it is representing. Graduated symbol legends can be placed in a vertical layout, horizontal layout, or a nested layout. The directional indicator is often considered as part of a legend, and may be placed inside the neat line is round legend, near the legend, or elsewhere of a map.
The directional indicator, commonly a North arrow, is necessary when North is not at the top of the map, or the map readers are unfamiliar with the area being displayed on the map. Because map readers are typically familiar with the orientation of large landmasses, or their own country or state, North arrows are often not necessary on small scale maps. The directional indicator should be reasonable in size, not dominant at all, but should still be easily found by the map reader.
Labels communicate attribute or ancillary information directly on the map body, and relate to map features on the map body. The purpose of a label is to identify features on the map, and help users to orient themselves to the information being displayed on the map. Label should be placed at locations that allow the map reader to easily associate the label with the feature it is labeling, and should be reasonable in size.
The metadata, or credits, cite the source of data sets used to create a map, provide the map author’s information, the data map was created, and other explanatory information about the creation of the map. As the metadata is typically not an important part of the map, it should not be visually dominating. Instead, the metadata is typically placed along a bottom edge of the map and deemphasized. If the map reader wants to read the metadata, they will typically spend a little time searching for it.
The graticule map element visually represents a coordinate system or location scheme. You should include the graticule on a map if the map reader will be referencing coordinate locations throughout the map. You should use meaningful divisions on the graticule so that it is easy for the map reader to use it. Typically, graticules are omitted from thematic maps as the purpose of a thematic map is not to measure, but to look at spatial distribution and patterns of the data.
The neatline is considered the frame of the map. The neat line should encapsulate the map and if needed map elements. The goal of the neat line is to provide a nice, clean frame for the map to live within, and to separate the map from surrounding items on the medium, and direct users eyes to the center of the map. Neatlines should not be visually dominant, but should be large enough so that the eye can use it as a frame.
Ancillary text and ancillary objects or additional, supporting, information that provides a greater understanding of the topic of the map. Examples of ancillary text or objects, may be text, pictures, sounds, movies, graphs, and so on. Two common reasons to include ancillary text on a map are to indicate to the map reader the ways in which the data was manipulated that is pertinent to the interpretation of the map, or, to indicate special cases or missing data.
With the map elements described in more detail, we should take a brief moment to explain best practices when placing these map elements on a map. It is important that you place map elements so that they are positioned and sized in accordance with their importance. The most important items should be roughly at the center of the map. Important items should also be placed at the top of the page. This is typically why the title is at the top of the page, and the map body is in the center of the page. Map elements should use as much space as possible within the neat line so that white space is reduced. Additionally, the map elements should be placed around the map so that the map has a visual balance that is pleasing to the eye.
There are 10 items in the cartographer’s code of ethics. The first item is to have a straightforward agenda. The purpose of your map should be readily evident to your map reader, and should not be deceiving or confusing. Maps should be as transparent as possible with regard to the purpose of their message. The second code is to strive to know your audience. To effectively communicate your message using a map, you need to be aware of your audience, and what their level of knowledge is with respect to your message. For instance, if you are creating a map that will show breeding grounds of a very specific type of fish, and you use scientific names and terms to label the map but your audience is elementary school children, your map, and therefore message, will be lost. Conversely, if your audience is going to be a very scientifically minded group you should use the complicated terminology and include more depth to the map knowing that the audience will be spending more time dissecting your map and looking for deeper patterns and meaning. Designing a map with the wrong audience in mind can render your map almost completely useless. The third code is to not intentionally lie with data. Do not mold the data with the intent to deceive. You should strive to have your map to be is neutral as possible when displaying the data. Like books, people tend to trust maps for being trustworthy. The fourth code is a map should always show all relevant data when possible. Showing relevant data provides important context for the map reader to use to interpret the message of the map. Excluding important or contextual information on the map may paint in an incomplete picture of the situation and not allow your map reader to get the whole story. This is not to say that you should include as much data as possible, as cluttering the map with unimportant information is almost as bad as leaving out important information. You should use the minimum amount of information possible to convey your intended message which will create a clean, concise map. The next code is a map should not discard contrary data just because it is contrary. Again, your map should be as much as possible a neutral representation of reality. Just because the data does not fit the message that you had in mind, you shouldn’t just discard it. The sixth code is that the map should strive for an accurate portrayal of the data. Do not intentionally place the data in a poor light, or exaggerate, or diminish the data. The seventh code is to avoid plagiarizing. Just like when you write a scientific paper; you should always properly cite your sources of information. This is also true for a map; properly cite your sources in the metadata on the map. The eighth code is to select symbols that will not bias the map. The symbols should be neutral representations of features. If you choose a symbol that would cause the map reader to unfairly view the feature in an unfavorable light, then you are purposely biasing the map, and not providing a neutral representation. Code number nine in the cartographers code of ethics is that the map should be repeatable. What this means is that if you chose the symbols well, had a straightforward agenda, did not lie nor discard contrary data, then another cartographer should be able to independently create a similar map using the same data and focusing on the same message. By similar, I do not mean the same colors, layout, or symbols, I mean a map that successfully portrays the same message. The final code is to pay attention to different cultural values and principles when making your map. If possible, you should be sensitive to the cultural values and principles of your audience. For instance, certain colors represent different meanings in different cultures. While red may represent danger to an American, it may represent peace in another culture. If you’re making a map for an audience whose culture differs from your own, you should do some research on topics relevant to mapmaking, such as significance of color or significance of certain symbols.
In summary, when creating a map, you should always strive to provide a truthful, neutral representation of reality targeted specifically for your audiences’ level of knowledge so that your map can effectively convey your intended message.