The Hidden “C” in GIS – Maps Gone Bad Rod Bassler, GIS Coordinator North Dakota State Water Commission 2004

The Hidden The Hidden “C” in GIS – “C” in GIS –

Maps Gone Maps Gone BadBad

Rod Bassler, GIS Rod Bassler, GIS Coordinator North Coordinator North

Dakota Dakota State Water Commission State Water Commission

2004 2004

CartographyCartography

Cartography is the art, science, and Cartography is the art, science, and technology of making maps together technology of making maps together

with their study as scientific with their study as scientific documents and works of artdocuments and works of art

Maps as a Communication Medium

Cartographers are not Drafters and Vice Versa

Cartographers are not Graphic Artists and Vice Versa


Bad Maps, Bad Maps, What’cha Bad Maps, Bad Maps, What’cha Gonna Do, What’cha Gonna Do Gonna Do, What’cha Gonna Do

When They Come For You?When They Come For You?

“… Internet map servers are taking map design from the

hands of cartographers and the result is the worst kinds

of carto-crimes, as I call them. Great data, great idea, terrible execution!" – Martin von

Wyss


CartographyCartographyMaps as a Communication Medium

Author

Reality

Message

EncodesGeneralize

SimplifyClassify

ExaggerateSymbolize

Map

ReaderDecodesMessage


Why do we use Maps? Maps are popular because:

They simplify the complexities of the worldThey have a strong visual impact

They are convenient to useThey are considered a credible source of

information


Map ElementsMap Elements

PurposePurpose

Titles and SubtitlesTitles and Subtitles

Legends or KeysLegends or Keys

ScalesScales

TextText

Balance and LayoutBalance and Layout

SymbolsSymbols

Just what are the basic elements of a map?


1)1) DO NOT INCLUDE THE WORD “MAP” DO NOT INCLUDE THE WORD “MAP” IN THE TITLE!!!IN THE TITLE!!!

2)2) Keep it simple and about the subjectKeep it simple and about the subject

3)3) The subtitle should enhance or clarify The subtitle should enhance or clarify the titlethe title

4)4) The subtitle should be a smaller type The subtitle should be a smaller type sizesize

5)5) Should be prominent but not dominantShould be prominent but not dominant

Titles and Subtitles

Burleigh CountyAlien SitingsBurleigh County, North Dakota


1)1) DO NOT USE “LEGEND” AS THE DO NOT USE “LEGEND” AS THE TITLE!!!TITLE!!!

2)2) Should not contain any elements that Should not contain any elements that are not on the mapare not on the map

3)3) Should be subordinate to the titleShould be subordinate to the title

4)4) Describes all the symbols on the Describes all the symbols on the map; provide good definitionsmap; provide good definitions

5)5) Layout should be hierarchically and Layout should be hierarchically and logically structuredlogically structured

Map Legend

Map ElementsMap ElementsMap Legend – An Example


1)1) Is the ratio between Is the ratio between two points two points measured on a map measured on a map and the and the corresponding corresponding distance measured distance measured on the groundon the ground

2)2) A Representative A Representative Fraction is unit-lessFraction is unit-less

3)3) 1:24,000 1:63,360 1:24,000 1:63,360 1:100,000 1:100,000 1:126,720 1:126,720 1:500,0001:500,000

Map Scale – Representative Fraction

Map ElementsMap ElementsMap Scale – Verbal

1)1) States the scale definition in simple termsStates the scale definition in simple terms2)2) Ex. One Inch Represents One MileEx. One Inch Represents One Mile3)3) Pay attention to terms such as “Equals”, Pay attention to terms such as “Equals”,

“Represents”, and “Approximately”“Represents”, and “Approximately”4)4) 1:63,360 – One Inch Represents One Mile1:63,360 – One Inch Represents One Mile5)5) 1:500,000 – One Inch Represents 1:500,000 – One Inch Represents

Approximately Eight Miles (actually Approximately Eight Miles (actually 7.891414141 miles)7.891414141 miles)

Map ElementsMap ElementsMap Scale - Graphic

1)1) Make sure you have the units Make sure you have the units displayeddisplayed

2)2) Make sure you have a Make sure you have a graphical scale on maps that graphical scale on maps that may be reproduced at may be reproduced at different scalesdifferent scales

3)3) Use units that are most likely Use units that are most likely to be used by the readerto be used by the reader

Map ElementsMap ElementsMap Scale - Graphic

Map ElementsMap ElementsMap Scale – The Layout

1)1) Type must always be legible and clear; Type must always be legible and clear;

6 to 8pt type is smallest that should be 6 to 8pt type is smallest that should be usedused

2)2) Type can have a hierarchical component; Type can have a hierarchical component;

bold/dark/larger sizes suggest importancebold/dark/larger sizes suggest importance

3)3) Italicized type can suggest movementItalicized type can suggest movement

4)4) Try to space lettering across the entire Try to space lettering across the entire featurefeature

5)5) How about coloring the text the same as How about coloring the text the same as the symbol you are labelingthe symbol you are labeling

TypographyTypography


TypographyTypographyType should not fall across a linear symbol, Type should not fall across a linear symbol,

but if necessary the line should be interrupted.but if necessary the line should be interrupted.

TypographyTypographyLettering generally should be aligned horizontally and notLettering generally should be aligned horizontally and notobliquely. If you cannot align it horizontally, curving theobliquely. If you cannot align it horizontally, curving the

lettering is acceptable.lettering is acceptable.

TypographyTypographyIf curved parallels appear on the map, the curvature of theIf curved parallels appear on the map, the curvature of the graticule is often strong enough to place the type along graticule is often strong enough to place the type along

the parallel.the parallel.


Vertically placed type should be placed so that it Vertically placed type should be placed so that it can be readcan be read

from the left side of the page.from the left side of the page.


If lettering is on a diagonal, it should be placed so that it If lettering is on a diagonal, it should be placed so that it will “fall on its feet” if it is swung intowill “fall on its feet” if it is swung into

the horizontal position.the horizontal position.


The point symbol should be seen first and its The point symbol should be seen first and its identificationidentification

should be located to its right.should be located to its right.

FirstSecond

ThirdFourth

Fifth

Sixth

Name

Name

Leader

Name

Name

Robinson, et al.

Robinson, et al.

Robinson, et al.

Robinson, et al.

Map Layout – Figure/Ground








SymbolizationPoints, Lines, Areas

SymbolsPoints

SymbolsLines

SymbolsAreas

Let’s Talk Color

Examples ofExamples ofMaps Gone BadMaps Gone Bad

ChecklistChecklist Has the message been adequately Has the message been adequately

communicated; close your eyes; what’s the communicated; close your eyes; what’s the first thing that you see when you look at the first thing that you see when you look at the map; is that what you want the user to see?map; is that what you want the user to see?

How intuitive is the symbology?How intuitive is the symbology? Is there excess clutter which distracts from Is there excess clutter which distracts from

the message?the message? Is it balanced?Is it balanced? Spelling, Grammatical, Typographical Errors?Spelling, Grammatical, Typographical Errors? Legibility?Legibility? Does the scale on the map match the output?Does the scale on the map match the output? Am I willing to put my name on the map?Am I willing to put my name on the map?

Thank you for Thank you for your your

attention!!attention!!

Go make Go make better maps better maps or I’ll come or I’ll come

after you with after you with a sharp a sharp

exacto-knifeexacto-knife

Documents

The Hidden “C” in GIS – Maps Gone Bad Rod Bassler, GIS Coordinator North Dakota State Water Commission 2004