san diego, california - esri · 2012-08-17 · technical workshops | esri international user...

Technical Workshops |

Esri International User Conference San Diego, California

Evaluating the Visual Impact of Maps

Kenneth Field and Damien Demaj

July 25, 2012

Kenneth Field

Damien Demaj

http://resources.arcgis.com/en/communities/mapping/home/ ArcGIS Resources - Mapping

Outline of session

• Why a checklist approach to evaluation? • Cartographic Requirement • Cartographic design principles - devil is in the detail • Putting the pieces together and publishing online • Synopsis, final checking

C A R T O G R A P H Y

Why a checklist approach to evaluation?

Map User

GIS User

Map-maker

Cartographer

Knowledge Transfer

Design is crucial to communication in GIS

Large database

Equal

Treatment

No inherent

design

Data Processing Function Meaning

Design

Evaluation as part of the design process

Cartographic Requirement

What’s the story?

Maps are complex graphics

Written/spoken word: SERIAL

Graphics: PARALLEL

Cartographic requirement

• Audience • Media resolution • Viewing distance • Output medium • Anticipated level of understanding • Conditions of use • One map or multiple maps • What areal extent to show • Insets

Demo: requirement

Web maps and basemaps

• What is a web map? • Interactive • Multi scale • Shared via the web • Operational layers and basemap layer

What is a basemap?

• Contextualizes • Support • Changes infrequently

Cartographic design principles

Visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy

Demo: visual hierarchy

Visual contrast

Figure-ground

Demo: figure-ground

Projections

Online map services • WGS 1984 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere)

ArcGIS Online Bing OSM Google

Demo: projection

Symbol palette

spacing

size

shape

orientation

hue

lightness

Symbol meaning

Demo: symbols

Classifying data

Feature generalization

Large scale

Small scale

Feature generalization

Simplify

Smooth

Aggregate

Amalgamate

Collapse

Feature generalization

Merge

Refine

Exaggerate

Enhance

Displace

Demo: feature generalization

Colour – sequential

Sequential

(Example of “Sequential”)

Colour – diverging

(Example of “Diverging Critical Class”)

Diverging Critical Class

Diverging Critical Break

Colour – qualitative

Qualitative

(Example of “Qualitative”)

Demo: colour

Typography

Position

Style sans serif

serif

Conflict

CITIES Towns villages

5 point 7 point

10 point 12 point

18 point 24 point

Size Purpose

Demo: typography

Putting the pieces together

Marginalia in web map apps

• Map/app title • Main map • Pop-ups • Dynamic legends • Sliders, clickable icons • Multi-media content • Credit and source

Demo: layout

Synopsis

Please complete an online session evaluation

1. My UC Homepage > “Evaluate Sessions”

2. Choose session from planner or search for session ID for this session: Offering #1 ID: 670

events.esri.com/uc/2012/sessionEvals

kfield@esri.com @kennethfield

@damiendemaj ddemaj@esri.com