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Introduction to Cartographic Design

Introduction to Cartographic Design. Richard Taketa Associate Professor Department of Geography San Jose State University. Basic Map Design. Visual organization Improve legibility Focus attention Maps do not have a natural sequence Design can guide the map reader

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Introduction to Cartographic Design

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  1. Introduction to Cartographic Design Richard Taketa Associate Professor Department of Geography San Jose State University

  2. Basic Map Design • Visual organization • Improve legibility • Focus attention • Maps do not have a natural sequence • Design can guide the map reader • Make the reader’s job easier

  3. Today’s Design Topics • Figure-ground • Layout • Generalization • Symbolization

  4. Figure-Ground

  5. Figure-Ground • Graphic characteristics • Some elements as figures • Other elements as background

  6. Figure-Ground Can’t easily distinguish elements

  7. Figure-Ground • How people see graphics • Elements • Contrast • Contour • Closure • Enclosure • Visual organization

  8. Contrast More contrast = stronger figure

  9. Contrast Not just the darker element

  10. Contour Sharper contour (edge) = stronger figure

  11. Closure Closed element = stronger figure

  12. Enclosure More enclosed = stronger figure

  13. Create Visual Levels

  14. Figure-Ground

  15. Figure-Ground

  16. Figure-Ground

  17. Figure-Ground

  18. Layout

  19. Layout • Arrangement of map elements • Objectives • Visual balance • Structure

  20. Centering is a good starting point...

  21. Poor balance = harder to read

  22. Assign appropriate emphasis

  23. Text Placement: Figural Object

  24. Text Placement: Background Object

  25. Text Placement: Enhance Pattern

  26. Text Placement: Hide Pattern

  27. Generalization

  28. Generalization • Level of detail • Function of • Purpose • Scale • Graphic limits • Quality of data

  29. Generalization • Simplification • Selection • Classification • Symbolization • Induction

  30. GIS Data Detailed

  31. Detail a Problem for Symbolization

  32. Simplifying for Clarity Loss of information…negligible

  33. Detail Changes with Scale

  34. Symbolization

  35. Symbolization • Most maps involve abstract symbols • Represent features of interest • Can’t always show them as they actually look

  36. Graphic Variables • Shape • Size • Color • Hue • Lightness • Saturation • Orientation • Pattern • Texture

  37. Levels of Measurement • Nominal • Ordinal • Interval • Ratio

  38. Symbolization & Measurement Nominal Ordinal Interval/Ratio x x x x - x x x x x x Shape Size Color Hue Lightness Saturation Orientation Pattern Texture

  39. Symbolization

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

  41. Map Design Summary • Organize graphic information • Provide structure • Make the map legible • Focus the reader’s attention

  42. Guide the reader...

  43. Contact Information Richard Taketa Department of Geography San Jose State University One Washington Square San Jose, CA 95192-0116 408-924-5425 rtaketa@email.sjsu.edu

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