Cartographic Expressions: Design Principles and ... - Geography

Cartographic Expressions:Design Principles andApplicationsGIS in ActionMay 12, 2004Jim MeachamandKen KatoInfoGraphics LabDepartment of GeographyUniversity of Oregonjmeacham@uoregon.edukkato@uoregon.edu

Cartographic Expressions:Design Principles andApplications- 9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principlesand their application

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design PrinciplesReferences:The Non-Designer’s Design BookRobin Williams, 2004The Visual Displayof Quantitative InformationEdward R. Tufte, 1983ColorBrewer WebsiteC. Brewer, PSU 2004Mapping the World as it Really IsS. Allan, 1999State Atlas DesignJ. Meacham and S. Allan, 2003Atlas of Oregon, Second EditionLoy, Allan, Buckley, Meacham 2001

1) ProximityGrouping related items close to one another• Proximity or closeness implies a relationship• Creates cohesive groupsDevelops organization• Reduces clutterHelps communication• Grouping aids creation of hierarchy (starting point)• Which information is most and least important• Information that is intellectually connected should be visually connectedCreates and organizes white space• More appealing organized page (gives the reader a rest)What to avoid• Too many separate elements• Don’t put items in the corners or the middle• Avoid confusion of headline’s relationship to related material• Keep unrelated elements apart

Timber: 1) Proximity

Farmlands: 1) Proximity

2) AlignmentCreates visual connections• Elements should have a visual connection with something else on the page• Nothing should be place arbitrarily• Creates stronger cohesive units• Creates relationship even when related items are not in close proximity• Elements are connected by invisible lines or boundariesUnifies and organizes the page• Use consistent text and element alignments• Create strong linesWhat to avoid• Avoid using more than one text alignment on the page• Avoid centered alignments as a default– unless you consciously choose it

Timber: 2) Alignment

Farmlands: 2) Alignment

3) RepetitionRepeat visual items• Repeat some aspect of the design throughout the page• Creates consistencyDevelops organization• Headlines help develop visual organization and hierarchyStrengthens unity• Creates consistency• Common elements in multi-page pages unifies entire publication (page numberlocation, use of a rule, etc..)• Ties together otherwise separate parts.Adds visual interestWhat to avoid• Avoid repeating the element so much it becomes annoying

Farmlands: 3) Repetition

ALIGNMENT

ALIGNMENT

4) ContrastMake elements look different• Type size, face, font• Line weight, color, value, texture, styleCreates organizational visual hierarchy and figure-ground• Emphasis on what the reader is supposed to focus onSpeeds communication and adds clarity• Reduces (eliminates reader confusion)Makes page more interesting• Adds depthWhat to avoid• Avoid not creating enough contrast to cause confusion between element categories

Ice Age Lakes: 4) Contrast

Crops and Wine: 4) Contrast

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

5) Color in Map DesignResources and GuidelinesUse of Color: DataProfessor Cynthia Brewer, PSUhttp://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/c/a/cab38/Color Use Guidelines for Mapping and Visualizationhttp://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/c/a/cab38/ColorSch/Schemes.htmlColorBrewer: web tool for selecting map color schemeshttp://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/c/a/cab38/ColorBrewerBeta.htmlCMYK color specifications for atlas mapsMapping Census 2000: The Geography of U.S. DiversityUse of Color: Harmony – the Color Wheelwww.color-wheel-pro.com

Color Wheelwww.color-wheel-pro.com

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

Highway Flow6) data rich, lots of labeling, Integration of elements

Highway Flow6) Maps and graphics are data driven – data rich

Land Ownership6) data rich, lots of labeling, Integration of elements

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

Land Ownership7) Multiple Maps – everything doesn’t have to go on one map

Labor Force7) Multiple Maps – everything doesn’t have to go on one map

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

Energy Sources –8) Put maps and graphs in spatial and temporal context

Yellowstone Atlas, Rivers – 8) Spatial contextErik Strandhagen, Graduate Researcher

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

9) Serves as an authoritative reference - because of expertparticipation, and graphical integrity

Land Ownership –9) Serves as an authoritative reference - because of expertparticipation, and graphical integrity

USGS Southwest Office Cartographers –

Allan Cartography in Medford –

9 Selected Map and Graphic Design Principles1) Proximity2) Alignment3) Repetition4) Contrast5) Use of Color6) Data Richness7) Using Multiple Maps8) Spatial and temporal context9) Authoritative reference – experts and knowing the subject

Cartographic Expressions:Design Principles andApplicationsThank youJim MeachamandKen KatoInfoGraphics LabDepartment of GeographyUniversity of Oregonjmeacham@uoregon.edukkato@uoregon.edu