20 MaP Design
the elements on a page creates axes that provide direction. That is, vertical lines lead
the
eye up and down on the map; horizontal lines lead the eye left and right.
Balance
Every element of the map has
visual weight. These weights
should be distributed
evenly about the
optical center of the page, which is a point slightly above the actual
center, or the map will appear to be weighted to one side or unstable (Figure 2.2).
While this doesn’t affect the readability or usefulness of the map, it is a factor in its
appearance.
Generally, visual weight within a frame depends on location, size, color, shape,
and direction. According to Arnheim (1969, pp. 14–15), visual weights vary as fol-
lows:
Centrally located elements have less weight than those to one side.
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Objects in the upper half appear heavier than those in the lower half.
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Objects on the right side appear heavier than those on the left side.
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Weight appears to increase with increasing distance from the center.
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Isolated elements have more weight than grouped objects.
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Larger elements have greater visual weight.
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Red is heavier than blue.
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Bright colors are heavier than dark.
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Regular shapes seem heavier than irregular shapes.
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Compact shapes have more visual weight than unordered, diffuse shapes.
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Forms with a vertical orientation seem heavier than oblique forms.
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X
True
Center
X
Visual Center
