I. Map Design Elements

II. Map Composition

III. Map Perception

IV. Map Lettering

V. Type Elements

VI. Considerations in Selecting Type for Maps

VII. Lettering and Word Spacing

VIII. Positioning of Words on the Map

MAP DESIGN AND MAP DESIGN AND TYPOGRAPHYTYPOGRAPHY

MAP DESIGN ELEMENTSMAP DESIGN ELEMENTS

• HANDOUT OF THE GOLDEN RULES

• Layout

• Balance images optical center

MAP COMPOSITIONMAP COMPOSITION

5% of imageabove opticalcenter.

On 8.5” x11” paperthat is equalto 5.225”

MAP COMPOSITIONMAP COMPOSITION

Titles

Legend

Orientation

ORIENTATIONORIENTATION

Map LetteringMap Lettering

• Typography = selecting a type face & placement of the type on the map.

• #1 Function and #2 Aesthetics

Type ElementsType Elements

• Letter-form Components

Type ElementsType Elements

• Letter-form Components

No more than 2 san serif or 2 serif type facesNo more than 2 san serif or 2 serif type faces

HELVETICA

TIMES

• Type Size

• One point is about 0.35 mm (1/72 or 0.014 inches)

Type Type ElementsElements

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz (arial 32 point)abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz (times 32 point)

most common type sizes used are 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30, and 36

Type Type ElementsElements

Type ElementsType Elements

• Font

Type ElementsType Elements

Font Family

• Weight

Type ElementsType Elements

Font Family

• Type widths

NormalNormal CondensedCondensed ExtendedExtended

Type Type ElementsElements

• Font Family

Considerations in Considerations in Selecting Type for MapsSelecting Type for Maps

A. Legibility– Choose a typeface in which there is little chance for

confusion between letters such as c and e, i and j, b,h, and k.

B. Try to select a typeface that has a large x-height relative to lettering width.

C. Avoid extremely bold forms.

D. Do not use decorative typefaces on the map they are difficult to read.

LetterinLettering and g and Word Word

SpacingSpacing

Positioning Type for Place Positioning Type for Place FeaturesFeatures• Point symbols labeled with no letter

spacing

• Point symbols should always be closed and filled.

Positioning Type for Place Positioning Type for Place FeaturesFeatures

Positioning Type for Place Positioning Type for Place FeaturesFeatures

Positioning Type for Linear Positioning Type for Linear FeaturesFeatures

Positioning Type for Linear Positioning Type for Linear FeaturesFeatures

Positioning Type for Areal Positioning Type for Areal FeaturesFeatures