Seeking Best Map Design Practices
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Koletsis, E.; 2Cartwright, W.; 3Arrowsmith, C.; 4Field, K.; 5Yuille, J.
1RMIT UNIVERSITY Email: erin.koletsis@hotmail.com.au
2RMIT UNIVERSITY Email: william.cartwright@rmit.edu.au
3RMIT UNIVERSITY Email: erin.koletsis@hotmail.com.au
4ESRI
5RMIT UNIVERSITY
Abstract
Seeking Best Map Design Practices Erin Koletsis*, William Cartwright*, Colin Arrowsmith*, Kenneth Field** and Jeremy Yuille*** *School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, RMIT University, Australia **Esri, USA ***School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Australia Abstract. Maps are ubiquitous, and created by people of all skill levels. However, many users still struggle to effectively interpret spatial information. This difficulty to interpret spatial information can lead to negative experiences. This can be of great concern when these users need to undertake navigational tasks such as wayfinding. As a result, map users may experience anything ranging from unnecessary anxiety to sometimes tragic consequences, due to them being geographically disoriented or completely unaware of their location. To improve the map reading experience for all map readers, it is argued that maps need to be created that allow them to interpret spatial information more easily and effectively. People who are unable to effectively interpret spatial information have come to be known as ‘functionally map illiterate’ (Clarke 2003). Functionally map illiterate individuals are those that are unable to interpret spatial information in a way which allows them to incorporate and use it in their daily lives and therefore benefit from such information. This paper presents an element of research that is investigating the effective means of conveying spatial information to people that have difficulty in interpreting maps. It is a first step for understanding how cartographic information is conveyed. It is important for research such as this to be undertaken from both historical and empirical approaches. Research in past and current practices in map design is essential to identify which design practices are effective. By undertaking a comparison of these practices maps deemed to be best practice can be identified and used as exemplars when ascertaining good map design. Existing map designs need to be evaluated to determine any causes of ambiguity that may exist. Identifying these causes would allow for alter-natives to be incorporated, specifically aimed at the functionally map illiterate. In this paper we provide the results for effective map design practices and supportive evidence that illustrates the choice of artifacts chosen. The source used to identify effective design practices was the invaluable MapCarte blog written by Dr. Kenneth Field in 2014. Keywords: Map Design, Functional Map Literacy, Multimedia Cartography