CS 128/ES Lecture 8a1 Map formats & layout Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 4 ed, p. 1

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a2 Maps are: means of communicating geographical information visual tools artistic compositions Muehrcke & Muehrcke, 4 ed, p. 1

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a3 Of first importance: accurate data, accurately displayed!!

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a4 Maps elements* * aka map components (see text, p. 157 for a different list) Clarke, 3 rd ed. p. 201

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a5 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 Lecture 8a6 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 Lecture 8a7 Map layout Lo & Yeung Concepts & Techniques of GIS. P. 245  there’s more to a GIS output than just the map one of many possible map layouts

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a8 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 Lecture 8a9 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 Lecture 8a10 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

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a11 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 Lecture 8a12 4. Keep it simple Both: Design a great map layout. Landtrustgis.volcano.onenw.org/ Technology/advanced/design

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a13 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 ( ten%20mapping%20tips.pdf)

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a14 1. Minor elements dominate The color of the (main) figure should capture the viewer’s eye

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a15 2. Same size/color labels How much of an information hierarchy is shown here? What are the most important features? How might they be emphasized?

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a16 3. Choropleth scale not intuitive

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a17 4. Cluttered annotation

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a18 What’s wrong here? Eye/GISCEye_vol1no2.pdf

CS 128/ES Lecture 8a19 And finally … think creatively Muhrcke & Muhrcke, 4 th ed, p 155