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Tyner indb
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Bog'liq Judith A. Tyner. Principles of map design. New York. „The Guilford Press”, 2010overall Appearance
Communication
The cartographer must consider the overall appearance of the map. It is easy to over-
load a map with so many symbols and topics that it becomes unreadable. It may be
necessary to make more than one map to illustrate a given topic. On an overloaded
map, the various themes and symbols fight for the reader’s attention.
It is easy to overdesign graphics to the point where innovative technique or style
dominates the graphics. A symbol on a map might be very eye-catching, but if the
immediate reaction is to the appearance of a symbol instead of to its meaning, then
there is a strong possibility that information has been lost. This is not to say that
creativity and innovation should be avoided; an eye-catching map is more likely to be
read than a humdrum one, but the goal of clarity must always be kept in mind.
Beauty
A significant aspect of the overall appearance that has often been overlooked or even
considered unimportant in recent years is beauty. Old maps are often valued for their
beauty and framed to hang on a wall, but it is hard to imagine an early computer map
being treated in this way. Of course, beauty is hard to define and standards of beauty
change, but readers still react to the aesthetics of maps.
We don’t equate beauty in modern maps with ornate lettering, elaborate title car-
touches, and drawings of mermaids and ships, but maps can still be attractive. Some
maps are small, informal, and plain; they are devoid of ornament, because ornament
would be inappropriate and distracting. These maps have elegance and beauty in
their simplicity.
Other maps with a larger format, designed to show subjects of broad interest,
such as many National Geographic special maps, benefit from the use of ornament.
As we have seen, with restraint, ornament adds visual appeal, attractiveness, and
pleasure—all worthwhile goals—as in good writing. Many maps are dull and sterile
even if accurate. Good maps, like good writing, are enjoyable to view and satisfying
to use.
Several organizations including the Cartography Specialty Group of the Asso-
ciation of American Geographers, the North American Cartographic Information
Society, and Cartography and Geographic Information Science sponsor map design
competitions each year. Consult their websites listed in Appendix B.
spec sheets
A useful habit (and standard practice with many companies and agencies) when cre-
ating a map is to keep a record of specifications: colors used, typefaces, line weights,
statistical breakdowns. This can save hours of work when revisions or updates are
needed.
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