Date post: | 22-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
View: | 216 times |
Download: | 1 times |
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 1
Map formats & layout
Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 4 ed, p. 1
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 2
Maps are: means of
communicating geographical information
visual tools
artistic compositions
Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 4 ed, p. 1
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 3
Of first importance:
accurate data,accurately displayed!!
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 4
Maps elements*
* aka map components (see text, p. 157 for a different list)
Clarke, 3rd ed. p. 201
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 5
Not all maps need all elements
1. Title and figure are virtually always present
2. Place-names (better termed “annotations”) are almost always needed
think attribute data!
3. A legend is necessary whenever symbols are used (which is almost always)
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 6
These elements are less standard
5. Credits should be used on all technical maps; I think all maps should be dated
6. North arrow, scale, (and graticle) depend on purpose
7. Borders and neat lines are visually helpful but can be omitted
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 7
Map layout
Lo & Yeung. 2002. Concepts & Techniques of GIS. P. 245
there’s more to a GIS output thanjust the map
• one of many possible maplayouts
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 8
Designing a map
1. Define your purpose & your audience
2. Make your map tell a story
3. Direct the viewer’s eye
4. Keep it simple
Source: Design a great map layout. Landtrustgis.volcano.onenw.org/Technology/advanced/design
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 9
1. Purpose & audience• We tend to think of GIS maps as data
displays, not means of communication
• Ask what you’re trying to show, why, and to whom
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 10
2. Tell a story• Take the viewer on a journey into the
map’s meaning
• The main point should be obvious at first glance; additional info. should unfold gradually
http://junkcharts.typepad.com/junk_charts/images/cdc_obesity_slides.gif
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 11
3. Direct the viewer’s eye• create an information hierarchy, using
symbol size, color, and placement
• use strongest colors for the most important features
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 12
4. Keep it simple
Both: Design a great map layout. Landtrustgis.volcano.onenw.org/Technology/advanced/design
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 13
Common design flaws
1. Minor elements dominate map visually
2. Same size/color for all labels
3. Choropleth scale not intuitive
4. Cluttered annotation
See also: Jerry’s top ten crime mapping tips(http://jratcliffe.net/papers/Jerry%27s%20top%20 ten%20mapping
%20tips.pdf)
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 14
1. Minor elements dominate• The color of the (main) figure should capture
the viewer’seye
http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/washington-city-map.html
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 15
2. Same size/color labels• How much of an information hierarchy is
shown here?
• What are the mostimportant features?
• How might they beemphasized?
http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/washington-city-map.html
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 16
3. Choropleth scale not intuitive
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 17
4. Cluttered annotation
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 18
What’s wrong here?
http://www.gisci.org/GISC_Eye/GISCEye_vol1no2.pdf
CS 128/ES 228 - Lecture 8a 19
And finally
… think creatively
Muhrcke & Muhrcke, 4th ed, p 155