Map design.

When someone is designing a map they have to take a number of things into consideration such as the visual variables, balance, audience and purpose, and the basic map elements. The visual variables are size, shape, value, orientation, color, and texture. Balance refers to position of the map components. The audience and the purpose are important in the design because the map needs to be able to convey its purpose to the particular audience. The basic map elements consist of a map body, legend, title, scale, north arrow, title, neat line and source statement.

Figure 1 is an example from the ESRI website of a well designed map. The map contains all of the basic map elements, as well as a graph and an insert map. By adding the graph it allows reader to see the data displayed in a different way, and also help the reader understand the information better. The insert map “shows how the area of interest shown in the main map body is related to a larger area.” (ESRI) Figure 1 is a very well balanced map, the main maps takes up the majority of the space which emphasizes its importance. There is a clear title that conveys the purpose of the map. The overall design of the map is ascetically pleasing. At first glance it is clear that the map is of Africa, you do not have to examine the map to see this. When you further look at the map you can see the six smaller, the colors are easy to differentiate.

Figure 2 is an example of a bad map. This is a choropleth map that uses different textures for each category; this makes it very hard to differentiate the bounties between classes on the map. The map also has six class categories, this is a little to much, the textures are hard enough to distinguish without having to see the difference between six different classes. There is no clear title. There is a small title above the legend which does not standout.

Figure 1 Good Map

Figure 2 Bad Map

http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/marsh/own_page/pix/baddestmap.jpg

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