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
CartographyCartography
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
Maps as a Communication Medium
CartographyCartographyMaps as a Communication Medium
Author
Reality
Message
EncodesGeneralize
SimplifyClassify
ExaggerateSymbolize
Map
ReaderDecodesMessage
CartographyCartography
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
Maps as a Communication Medium
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?
Map ElementsMap Elements
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
Map ElementsMap Elements
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
Map ElementsMap Elements
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
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.
TypographyTypography
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.
TypographyTypography
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.
TypographyTypography
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
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
Map Layout – Figure/Ground
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