Introduction to Cartographic Design

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Introduction to Cartographic Design

• Richard Taketa
• Associate Professor
• Department of Geography
• San Jose State University

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Basic Map Design

• Visual organization
• Improve legibility
• Focus attention
• Maps do not have a natural sequence
• Design can guide the map reader
• Make the readers job easier

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Todays Design Topics

• Figure-ground
• Layout
• Generalization
• Symbolization

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Figure-Ground
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Figure-Ground

• Graphic characteristics
• Some elements as figures
• Other elements as background

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Figure-Ground

• Cant easily distinguish elements

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Figure-Ground

• How people see graphics
• Elements
• Contrast
• Contour
• Closure
• Enclosure
• Visual organization

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Contrast

• More contrast stronger figure

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Contrast

• Not just the darker element

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Contour

• Sharper contour (edge) stronger figure

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Closure

• Closed element stronger figure

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Enclosure

• More enclosed stronger figure

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Create Visual Levels
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Figure-Ground
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Figure-Ground
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Figure-Ground
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Figure-Ground
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Layout
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Layout

• Arrangement of map elements
• Objectives
• Visual balance
• Structure

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• Centering is a good starting point...

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• Poor balance harder to read

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• Assign appropriate emphasis

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Text Placement Figural Object
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Text Placement Background Object
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Text Placement Enhance Pattern
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Text Placement Hide Pattern
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Generalization
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Generalization

• Level of detail
• Function of
• Purpose
• Scale
• Graphic limits
• Quality of data

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Generalization

• Simplification
• Selection
• Classification
• Symbolization
• Induction

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GIS Data Detailed
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Detail a Problem for Symbolization
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Simplifying for Clarity

• Loss of informationnegligible

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Detail Changes with Scale
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Symbolization
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Symbolization

• Most maps involve abstract symbols
• Represent features of interest
• Cant always show them as they actually look

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Graphic Variables

• Shape
• Size
• Color
• Hue
• Lightness
• Saturation
• Orientation
• Pattern
• Texture

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Levels of Measurement

• Nominal
• Ordinal
• Interval
• Ratio

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Symbolization Measurement
Nominal Ordinal Interval/Ratio x x x x - x
x x x x x
Shape Size Color Hue Lightness Saturation Orientat
ion Pattern Texture
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Symbolization
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Symbolization

• Can affect ability to see patterns
• Complex symbolization and classifications can
  obscure

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Map Design Summary

• Organize graphic information
• Provide structure
• Make the map legible
• Focus the readers attention

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Guide the reader...
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Contact Information

• Richard Taketa
• Department of Geography
• San Jose State University
• One Washington Square
• San Jose, CA 95192-0116
• 408-924-5425
• rtaketa_at_email.sjsu.edu