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

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

48. Guide the reader...

49. 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