Cartography and Symbolization

7/31/2019 Cartography and Symbolization

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Neither the historian nor the cartographer can everreproduce the reality they are trying to communicateto the reader of books or maps; they can but give a

plan, a series of indications, of this reality.

Crane Brinton (18981968), The Shaping of Modern Thought


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Graphical Excellence

Principles of Cartography

Quantitative Thematic Maps

Page Layout and Design

Group Meetings


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Wired Magazine, September 2007


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Joseph Minard, 1861


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William Playfair


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Induce the viewer to think about the substance rather than about

methodology

Avoid distorting what the data has to say

Reveal the data at several levels of detail

Serve a reasonably clear purpose:

Description, exploration, tabulation, or decoration

Be closely integrated with statistical and verbal descriptions of a

dataset


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-$4,200,000 base line

($11,014) $397,747


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Data-ink ratio =

data-ink

total ink used to print the graphic

= proportion of a graphics ink devoted to the

non-redundant display of data-information

= 1.0 proportion of a graphic that can be

erased without loss of data-information


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Thematic Maps


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Filter

Emphasize

Abstract

Represent

Classify

Correlate

Story tell


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Google Maps


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DeLorme Road Atlas


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Benchmark Road Atlas


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Eddie Jabbour, Kick Design


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Alan MacEachren


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www.colorbrewer.org


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Adapted from John Snow, 1854


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Greek: Choros (Place) and Pleth (Value)

Shows derived values, %s or medians of aggregated data

for an area (county, state)

Not usually used to show totals because areas are

uneven and obscure densities.

Good for showing density


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InfoGraphics Lab, 2004


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Matthew Campbell, 2003


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Sized proportional to data value (classed or unclassed)

Symbol representing aggregated total value for an area

(county, state)

Symbol represents a point location and value (city,

power plant)

Good for showing magnitudes


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New York Times, 2006


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John Krygier


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Each dot represents a specific number

Dots are distributed to represent the total for an area

(i.e. census tract, county, etc..)

Good for showing continuous density


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Each line represents a consistent data value

Lines are separated by a regular data interval

Areas are filled and value graded for emphasis

Good for showing continuous density


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Atlas of Oregon, 2001


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Shows connections between distant areas

Line thickness is proportional to data value

Paths are sometimes generalized to simplifyinterpretation

Good for showing connection and movement


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Alex Tait, Sports Illustrated Atlas


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Each areal unit (county, country) is varied in sizeaccording to a value

Two types: contiguous and non-contiguous

Usually bivariate displays using color and size

Good for showing multiple magnitudes


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New York Times Online, 2008


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Aligning objects on the page

Creates visual connectionsCreates stronger cohesive units

Connects related items distant not in close

proximity

Unifies and organizes the page

What to avoid

Avoid centered alignments (esp. text)


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Grouping related items

Reduces clutter

Creates initial organizational hierarchy

Shows what is most /least important

Connects correlated themes

Organizes white space

What to avoid

Too many separate elementsDont put items in the corners or the middle

Keep unrelated elements apart


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Repeating visual elements

Creates consistency

Develops visual organization and hierarchy

Strengthens unity

Facilitates comparisons

Adds visual interest

What to avoidAvoid repeating the element so much itbecomes annoying


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Documents

Cartography and Symbolization