├── README.md ├── images ├── aggregation.png ├── albers.png ├── amalgamation.png ├── choropleth.png ├── classifications.jpg ├── collapse.png ├── colorramps.png ├── contour.jpg ├── displacement.png ├── dots.jpg ├── enhancement.png ├── equal_interval.png ├── exaggeration.png ├── label_hierarchy.png ├── label_mask.jpg ├── label_placement.png ├── lambert.jpg ├── mercator.png ├── merge.png ├── natural_breaks.png ├── other_map_types.jpg ├── prop_symbol.jpg ├── quantile.png ├── reference.jpg ├── refinement.png ├── selection.png ├── simplification.png ├── smoothing.png ├── squint.jpg ├── visual_variables.png └── winkel.png ├── map-design.pdf ├── maptime-tips.pdf └── resources.md /README.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | # Maptime Boston’s Cartographic Design Tips 2 | 3 | This is a whirlwind tour of some basic cartographic design topics. For lots more information and practical resouces to go along with these, look at [resources.md](resources.md) in this repository. 4 | 5 | ## What is a map? 6 | 7 | Silly question, right? No! Think about the _what_ and _why_ of maps. 8 | 9 | A map is a *representation* of a place. It is a symbolic interpretation of place and highlights the relationships between elements in space, either perceived or actual. It reflects choices and biases of the mapmaker. It does not and cannot represent _everything_ in the place. Things must be omitted, simplified, etc. for the map to make sense. 10 | 11 | Maps can be divided into two broad categories: _reference_ and _thematic_. 12 | 13 | **Reference maps** emphasize the *location* of spatial phenomena, e.g. topographic maps or road maps. 14 | ![](images/reference.jpg) 15 | 16 | **Thematic maps** emphasize the *spatial pattern* of geographic attributes, e.g. population density or income. Thematic maps come in a variety of flavors, including: 17 | 18 | ![](images/choropleth.png) 19 | **Choropleth** maps in which *areas* are shaded by color to represent values. Choropleth maps are perhaps the most common and familiar type of thematic map, frequently seen for demographic or political data. 20 | 21 | ![](images/prop_symbol.jpg) 22 | **Proportional symbol** maps, in which symbols (such a circles) are scaled in proportion to the data they represent. Symbols might represent point data, but it is also common for proportional symbols to be used for area features. 23 | 24 | ![](images/dots.jpg) 25 | **Dot** maps, which use points to represent counts of a geographic phenomenon. Dot density maps rely on visual scatter to show spatial pattern. Dot maps may have a one-to-one relationship, in which one dot represents a single instance of something (e.g. one dot per vote), or a one-to-many relationship in which each dot represents a certain quantity of something. 26 | 27 | ![](images/contour.jpg) 28 | **Contour** or **isarithmic** maps interpolate values between points. They're most recognized as useful maps for representation of elevation or depth, but they can also be used to represent more thematic phenomena, such as temperature, weather, or social phenomena. 29 | 30 | ![](images/other_map_types.jpg) 31 | ...and many other types! These notes are mostly about general map design topics rather than specific types of maps, but see the [resources](resources.md) list for more about some types of thematic maps. 32 | 33 | 34 | ## Do you need a map? Does it need to be interactive? 35 | 36 | It’s always good to ask whether your data or story even has a spatial component. If geography is not important, a map is probably not the best way to show it. Additionally, if you’re working on the web, think about how much your map benefits from interactivity, if at all. Just because you _can_ add interaction and more data doesn’t mean you _should_—it requires a lot more design work from you, and potential difficulty for your audience. 37 | 38 | ## Visual variables 39 | 40 | Visual variables are the basic ways in which graphical marks vary. Some allow quick visual grouping of symbols: for example symbols are easily grouped by _hue_, but not _shape_. Some are perceived as naturally ordered, such as size and value (lightness). Does the data you’re mapping have order (or quanitity)? Are there groups that should stand out? Be mindful of the appropriate visual variables to use in your symbolization. 41 | 42 | ![](images/visual_variables.png) 43 | _The seven “retinal variables” proposed by Jacques Bertin in_ Semiology of Graphics _(1967). Later cartographic researchers have expanded the list._ 44 | 45 | ## Visual hierarchy 46 | 47 | Good _visual hierarchy_ is crucial to overall effective map design. Visual hierarchy is the organization of design such that some things seem more prominent and important, and others less so. Visual hierarchy should match the _intellectual_ hierarchy of your composition—what are the most important things in your map, conceptually? Those should stand out. Visual hiearchy depends on _figure-ground relationships_. Figures are the things that stand out; ground is the rest. (Think foreground and background.) Contrast is the key. In general, larger and darker things appear as figure. 48 | 49 | Try the _squint test_. If you stand back or squint to blur your map, do the key components still stand out? 50 | 51 | ![](images/squint.jpg) 52 | 53 | ## Color 54 | 55 | Color is an important component of good map design, and while true mastery of color takes a designer’s eye and experience, there are some general guidelines to start with: 56 | - Keep in mind cartographic conventions you’ve seen: blue for water, etc. 57 | - Avoid red–green color schemes, as a significant population is colorblind and can’t discern these. 58 | - Think about whether your colors imply relationships, and whether relationships actually exist in what you’re mapping. If two things are not related, it may be best to color them with different hues. 59 | - Subtlety is usually your friend! Save any bold colors for important things in your hierarchy. 60 | - When using color ramps, try to limit yourself to 6-8 colors or shades. Beyond that, it becomes challenging for the human eye to differentiate. 61 | 62 | For choropleth mapping, use color ramps appropriate to the nature of your data. 63 | If there is no natural order of your data classes, use a _qualitative_ color scheme. 64 | If the data have order in one direction, use a _sequential_ color scheme. (Definitely NOT a rainbow scheme!) 65 | If the data have order and can be divided above and below some meaningful breakpoint, use a _diverging_ color scheme. 66 | 67 | ![](images/colorramps.png) 68 | 69 | ## Classifying and normalizing data 70 | 71 | Most choropleth maps use a classification scheme to group data values into bins, ideally 3–7 of them. This can make it easier to read the map—but different classification methods can produce vastly different looking maps. They all have their advantages and drawbacks. Try to use one that is both understandable and clarifies real patterns in the data. A few common methods: 72 | - Equal interval: divide data into groups of equal value ranges 73 | - Quantiles: put the same number of data observations in each class 74 | - Natural or Optimal breaks: find natural groupings, maximizing similarity within groups and differences between groups 75 | 76 | ![](images/equal_interval.png) 77 | _Equal interval with four classes. No values at all in the third class!_ 78 | 79 | ![](images/quantile.png) 80 | _Quantiles. Does that outlier at the end really belong with the other green dots?_ 81 | 82 | ![](images/natural_breaks.png) 83 | _Hypothetical natural breaks. Looks good but can be hard to understand._ 84 | 85 | ![](images/classifications.jpg) 86 | _Exact same data, different classification methods. Example by [John Nelson](http://uxblog.idvsolutions.com/2011/10/telling-truth.html)._ 87 | 88 | Choropleth maps should also be _normalized_, that is, mapped as some kind of ratio rather than raw counts of things. Otherwise you just get http://xkcd.com/1138/ and furthermore your visual interpretation of values is affected by relative sizes of areas. For example, population _density_ or GDP _per capita_ are more meaningful than just population or total GDP. 89 | 90 | ## Map projections 91 | 92 | Displaying a round earth on a flat map, i.e., projecting the map, requires distortions. Map projections can accurately maintain local angles (shape, more or less), sizes, directions, or distance—but never all of them. From a design perspective, think about a few things: 93 | - Is the projection appropriate for the type of map and the map's purpose? 94 | - What is the area covered by the map? 95 | - Does the map projection look decent, with geography looking recognizable? 96 | 97 | ![](images/albers.png) 98 | _Choropleth and dot density maps should use equal-area projections, such as Albers Equal Area Conic (above) for continent-level maps or Mollweide for world maps, so that size distortions don't lead us to misinterpret data values._ 99 | 100 | ![](images/winkel.png) 101 | _Compromise projections such as Winkel Tripel (above) or Robinson were developed mainly to produce a familiar, not wildly distorted appearance. They preserve no properties perfectly but generally look good for world maps._ 102 | 103 | ![](images/mercator.png) 104 | _The widespread Mercator projection (seen in most web maps) preserves local directions but badly distorts sizes at global scale. It's good for navigating in a city or sailing across the ocea, but it is not ideal for thematic maps._ 105 | 106 | ![](images/lambert.jpg) 107 | _Lambert Conformal Conic is a popular projection for North America and other areas of similar east-west extent. It preserves shape in a sense and generally looks "right" and familiar._ 108 | 109 | ## Text and labels 110 | 111 | Type can convey information through words, but characteristics of type can also communicate meaning. Type on maps is found not only in labels, but also in supplemental information, such as legends and sources, and in blocks of prose. Do not take typography for granted! Your choices of typeface, style, etc. can have a strong impact on the clarity, meaning, and tone of the map. 112 | - _Be consistent._ A good rule of thumb is to choose two fonts: one serif font, and one sans-serif. 113 | - Encode information in different weights and styles (bold, italic, regular, light, etc.). 114 | - Use principles of your _visual and intellectual hierarchy_ with text. Make important things bolder and bigger, and less important things smaller and lighter (or even, off the map!). 115 | - A convention is to label physical features (water bodies, for example) with a serif font. Water labels are often italicized. 116 | 117 | ![](images/label_hierarchy.png) 118 | _Hypothetical label styles and hierarchy. Labels for large areas often use increased letter spacing (tracking)._ 119 | 120 | ![](images/label_mask.jpg) 121 | _Masking or halos around labels can improve legibility against background features. ([Map example](https://somethingaboutmaps.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a-matter-of-perspective/) by Daniel Huffman.)_ 122 | 123 | ![](images/label_placement.png) 124 | _Order of preference for label placement on point features. ([source](http://www.svgopen.org/2002/papers/dahinden__good_map_graphics/))_ 125 | 126 | ## Scale and generalization 127 | 128 | At its core, cartography is about _abstraction_. We don’t show data in its raw form; we clarify it in a variety of ways, often by removing things. A big reason is _scale_, that is, the size of the map compared to the size of the real world. It simply isn’t possible to show every tiny detail! Data and graphics should be _generalized_ appropriately to the map scale: at a large scale (”zoomed in”) you can have more detail. Typical generalization operations include: 129 | 130 | ![](images/selection.png) 131 | _Selection:_ choosing which objects to include on the map 132 | 133 | ![](images/simplification.png) 134 | _Simplification:_ reduce the number of vertices in an object 135 | 136 | ![](images/smoothing.png) 137 | _Smoothing:_ reduce sharp angles to smoother curves 138 | 139 | ![](images/aggregation.png) 140 | _Aggregation:_ group points into areas 141 | 142 | ![](images/amalgamation.png) 143 | _Amalgamation:_ group areas into larger areas 144 | 145 | ![](images/collapse.png) 146 | _Collapse:_ reduce a detailed object to a point symbol 147 | 148 | ![](images/merge.png) 149 | _Merge:_ grouping of line features 150 | 151 | ![](images/refinement.png) 152 | _Refinement:_ select only portions of an object to display 153 | 154 | ![](images/exaggeration.png) 155 | _Exaggeration:_ amplify a part of an object 156 | 157 | ![](images/enhancement.png) 158 | _Enhancement:_ add detail that visually elevates an object 159 | 160 | ![](images/displacement.png) 161 | _Displacement:_ increase separation between objects 162 | 163 | ## Further resources! 164 | 165 | Many links to in-depth information and practical tools related to all these topics are in [resources.md](resources.md)! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /images/aggregation.png: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/maptimeBoston/cartographic-design/27d427e0d469d9d9a6c879194724c359b2c91ece/images/aggregation.png -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /images/albers.png: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/maptimeBoston/cartographic-design/27d427e0d469d9d9a6c879194724c359b2c91ece/images/albers.png -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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[DUSPViz](http://duspviz.mit.edu/), mostly by Mike Foster 10 | - [39 studies about human perception in 30 minutes](https://medium.com/@kennelliott/39-studies-about-human-perception-in-30-minutes-4728f9e31a73#.aqnpiksuu) by Kennedy Elliott 11 | - [CartoTalk](http://www.cartotalk.com/) forum hosted by NACIS 12 | - [List of map-related blogs](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pjrX7F3w9X1987aAtSvR88aa_UM9YnMfxmr5qDUi6Pc/edit?usp=sharing), publicly editable 13 | - [Cartographic Design](https://github.com/maptime/portland/blob/gh-pages/tutorials/Cartographic-Design-Notes-and-Resources-by-Alexa-Todd.md) notes and resources by Alexa Todd for MaptimePDX 14 | 15 | ## Books 16 | 17 | - [Thematic Cartography and Geovisualization](http://www.amazon.com/Thematic-Cartography-Geovisualization-3rd-Edition/dp/0132298341), Terry Slocum, Robert McMaster, Fritz Kessler, Hugh Howard. Comprehensive textbook on thematic mapping. 18 | - [Making Maps, Second Edition: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS](http://www.amazon.com/Making-Maps-Second-Edition-Visual/dp/1609181662), John Krygier and Denis Wood. A beginner-friendly overview of mapping concepts and principles. 19 | - [Elements of Cartography](http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Cartography-Arthur-H-Robinson/dp/0471555797), Arthur Robinson, Joel Morrison, A Jon Kimerling, Stephen Guptill. A longtime standard cartography textbook. 20 | - [How to Lie With Maps](http://www.amazon.com/How-Lie-Maps-2nd-Edition/dp/0226534219), Mark Monmonier. A good guide to the biases and agendas in maps, and how to read maps critically. 21 | - [How Maps Work](http://www.amazon.com/How-Maps-Work-Representation-Visualization/dp/157230040X), Alan MacEachren. For the truly ambitious map nerd, a densely detailed book on how maps and our brains work together to form meaning. 22 | - [Semiology of Graphics](http://www.amazon.com/Semiology-Graphics-Diagrams-Networks-Maps/dp/1589482611), Jacques Bertin. A seminal work in cartography and information design, introducing the visual variables and much more on how graphical communication works. 23 | - [Cartographer's Toolkit](http://gretchenpeterson.com/cartographers-toolkit.php), Gretchen Peterson. Handy reference for color palettes, typography, and other elements of map design. 24 | - [Designed Maps: A Sourcebook for GIS Users](http://www.amazon.com/Designed-Maps-Sourcebook-GIS-Users/dp/1589481607), Cynthia Brewer. A guide to good map design using GIS. 25 | - [Web Cartography: Map Design for Interactive and Mobile Devices](http://www.amazon.com/Web-Cartography-Design-Interactive-Devices/dp/1439876223), Ian Muehlenhaus. One of the precious few texts on map design specifically for the interactive, digital, and mobile age. 26 | 27 | ## What is a map? What is GIS? What is Cartography? 28 | 29 | - [Communicating Geographic Data: What is a Map?](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog160/node/1907), Penn State Geog 160 30 | - [The Lost Art of Critical Map Reading](http://www.graphicarto.com/the-lost-art-of-critical-map-reading/) by Mike Foster 31 | - [Map Purpose and Audience](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/l1_p5.html), Penn State Geog 486 32 | - [When Maps Shouldn't Be Maps](http://www.ericson.net/content/2011/10/when-maps-shouldnt-be-maps/), Matthew Ericson 33 | 34 | ## Types of maps 35 | 36 | - [Types of maps](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1848), Penn State Geog 486 37 | - [What are thematic maps?](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/thematic/) from the Axis Maps guide 38 | - [Choropleth Maps](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/choropleth/), Axis Maps 39 | - [Choropleth Maps](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1864), Penn State Geog 486 40 | - [Porportional Symbols](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/choropleth/), Axis Maps 41 | - [Graduated and Proportional Symbol Maps](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1869), Penn State Geog 486 42 | - [Dot Density Maps](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/dot_density/), Axis Maps 43 | - [Dot Maps](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1870), Penn State Geog 486 44 | 45 | ## General map design 46 | - [Design is Human](https://somethingaboutmaps.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/design-is-human/) by Daniel Huffman 47 | - [More Principles of Map Design](https://makingmaps.net/2008/02/05/more-principles-of-map-design/) by John Krygier 48 | - [Easy Steps to Better Maps](http://duspviz.mit.edu/tutorials/making-better-maps/) by Mike Foster 49 | 50 | ## Hierarchy 51 | 52 | - [Visual Hierarchy](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1858), Penn State Geog 486 53 | 54 | ## Visual Variables 55 | 56 | - [Visual Variables](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/color_schemes/), GIS wiki 57 | - [Visual Variables](https://www.geography.wisc.edu/faculty/roth/publications/Roth_2015_EG.pdf) - forthcoming overview paper by Robert Roth 58 | - [InfoVis: a semiotic perspective](http://innovis.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/innovis/uploads/Courses/InfoVisTutorial2010/infovisf10-wk2-bertin-v3.pdf) - slides mostly about visual variables, by Sheelagh Carpendale 59 | 60 | ## Color 61 | 62 | - [ColorBrewer](http://colorbrewer.org), Cindy Brewer + Axis Maps 63 | - [Using Colors on Thematic Maps](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/color_schemes/), Axis Maps 64 | - [Using Color in Maps](http://visual.ly/using-color-maps) - handy guide compiled from work by John Krygier 65 | - [Map Color Resources](https://makingmaps.net/2007/07/16/map-color-resources/) 66 | - [Your Friendly Guide to Colors in Data Visualisation](http://lisacharlotterost.github.io/2016/04/22/Colors-for-DataVis/) by Lisa Charlotte Rost 67 | - [Color Oracle](http://colororacle.org/), a color blindness simulator 68 | - [Adobe color wheel](https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/), a tool for generating color palettes 69 | - [Color Hex](http://www.color-hex.com/) and [Color Hex - Popular Palettes](http://www.color-hex.com/color-palettes/) 70 | 71 | ## Data Classification 72 | 73 | - [Classification](http://wiki.gis.com/wiki/index.php/Classification), GIS wiki 74 | - [Telling the Truth](http://uxblog.idvsolutions.com/2011/10/telling-truth.html), John Nelson 75 | - [Classification Schemes](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/node/1865), Penn State Geog 486 76 | - [The Basics of Data Classification](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/classification/), Axis Maps 77 | 78 | ## Scale and generalization 79 | 80 | - [Generalisation of Map Data](http://www.gitta.info/Generalisati/en/html/index.html), Geographic Information Technology Trainling Alliance 81 | - [Map generalization exercise](https://www.dropbox.com/s/0i14zc7yjohazq8/map_generalization_woodward.png?dl=0) by David Woodward 82 | - [ScaleMaster](http://www.personal.psu.edu/mzs114/ScaleMaster/ScaleMasterv0.html) - Flash-based interactive tool from some Penn State research about designing multiscale maps 83 | - [Zoom levels, pixel sizes, and scales, oh my](http://www.gretchenpeterson.com/blog/archives/3260) - a bit about how scale works on web maps Gretchen Peterson 84 | - [Mapshaper](http://mapshaper.org/), an online and command line tool for simplifying vector data by Matthew Bloch 85 | 86 | ## Map projections 87 | 88 | - [Projection Wizard](http://projectionwizard.org/) - a web tool to help select appropriate map projections, from Oregon State 89 | - [Coordinate Systems and Projections concept gallery](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/l7_p9.html), Penn State 486 90 | - [Projections and Coordinate Systems](http://mjfoster83.github.io/projections/index.html#/) by Mike Foster for Maptime Boston 91 | - [Map Projections](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/projections/) by Daniel Huffman for the Axis Maps thematic cartography guide 92 | - [Map projection reference](http://www.radicalcartography.net/?projectionref) by Bill Rankin, grouped by use cases 93 | - [Why Mercator](https://gist.github.com/tmcw/a3828827c8490f7e13a9) - Tom MacWright explains why the Mercator projection is used for web maps 94 | - [Map projections and distortions](http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~jochen/GTECH361/lectures/lecture04/concepts/Map%20coordinate%20systems/Map%20projections%20and%20distortion.htm), Hunter College 95 | - [The Wild World of Geodesy](http://lyzidiamond.com/geodesy/#0) by Lyzi Diamond 96 | 97 | ## Text 98 | 99 | - [Labeling and text hierarchy in cartography](http://www.axismaps.com/guide/labeling/) from the Axis Maps guide 100 | - [Labeling and Text concept gallery](https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog486/l3_p7.html), Penn State Geog 486 101 | - [Maps and Prose](http://maphugger.com/post/75374571098/practical-cartography-maps-and-prose) by Marty Elmer 102 | - [Practical Cartography: 8 Tips for Better Typography](http://maphugger.com/post/28344751603/practical-cartography-8-tips-for-better) by Marty Elmer 103 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------