Map Design 21
Closely tied to balance is white space.
White space is any area within the map
frame that is not taken by the map outline itself. A certain amount of white space is
required to set the map off and not crowd the page, but usually one should put the
largest map possible on the page while still leaving room for other required elements,
such as title, legend, and scale. Too often, one sees a small map and the remainder of
the page is filled with large north arrows, oversize bar scales, illustrations, and the
like that fill the page but overshadow the map (Figures 2.3 and 2.4).
Contrast
A large part of the clarity of the map derives from contrast.
Contrast is the difference
between light and dark, thick and thin, heavy and light. A map created with only
one line weight, one font size, and one font lacks contrast, is boring to look at, and is
hard to read (Figure 2.5). Some early computer maps lacked contrast because the pen
plotters used at the time had only one pen size available; line width could be varied
only by cumbersome additional programming steps and commands. Now, of course,
sophisticated software is available and today’s printers allow a wide variety of fonts
and lines so there is no excuse for lack of contrast.
Unity
Unity refers to the interrelationships between map elements. Lettering is not chosen
in isolation; it must be legible over any
background colors and shades, must not
conflict with chosen symbols, and must suit the topic of the map (Figure 2.6). Unity
X
Visual
Center
TITLE
LEGEND
N
SCALE
TITLE
L E G E N D
N
SCALE
PROJECTION
NAME
fIgURe 2.3.
The layout on the left is poorly balanced. On the right, the page has many ele-
ments, but the subject area takes up too little of the available space.
22
MaP Design
means that the map appears to be a single unit, not a collection of unrelated bits and
pieces.
Harmony
Do all of the elements work well together? Do the chosen colors clash? Are patterns
jarring to the eye? Do the text fonts complement one another? Does the overall map
TITLE
LEGEND
N
SCALE
fIgURe 2.4.
This is a better layout and use of the available space.
0
1
2
3
4
Miles
N
Garden City
0
1
2
3
4
Miles
N
Garden City
fIgURe 2.5.
The figure on the left has no contrast and is bland; the figure on the right has
better contrast.
Map Design 23
have a pleasing appearance? While this might not be a problem for a map created
for oneself to analyze a geographic problem, if the map is to be presented to a larger
audience, it can mean the difference between acceptance of the map and its message
or rejection. Simplistically, audiences prefer a pleasing map.
