1. Cartographic modeling
MyCOE / SERVIR workshop
25-2-2013

8. What is a (good) map?
• Or, what should a map do?
– Communicate
– Engage
– Report
– What else?

9. Fundamentals
• Elements that are found on virtually all maps:
– Distance or scale
– Direction
– Legend
– [Sources of information and how processed]
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

10. Fundamentals
• Elements that are sensitive to context:
– Title
– Projection
– Cartographer
– Date of production
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

11. Fundamentals
• Elements that are used selectively to assist
effective communication:
– Neatlines
– Locator maps
– Inset maps
– Index maps
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

12. Guiding questions:
• What is the motive, intent, or goal of the
map?

13. Guiding questions:
• Who will use it, and where will they access it?
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/07/02/crisis-mapping-haiti/uhp2/

14. Guiding questions:
• Who will use it, and where will they access it?
http://poleshift.ning.com

15. The role of projection
www.coolest-gadgets.com

16. The role of projection
http://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/the-
true-size-of-africa-continued-the-mercator-
wars.html

17. Map communication: What’s the message?

18. Context
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html

19. Representation I
http://colorbrewer2.org/

20. Representation II
http://colorbrewer2.org/

21. Representation III
http://colorbrewer2.org/

22. ColorBrewer: http://colorbrewer2.org/

23. Adobe Kuler: https://kuler.adobe.com/

24. Some guidelines from a trusted source
• Lettering
– All type should be from common type families
(examples: Helvetica, Arial, Times New Roman, etc.).
– Type must be sufficiently large to be easily read at
final print size; no type smaller than 6 point.
– Type placed on screen tints or area patterns must be
clearly readable. White type can be used over dark
screen tints, and area patterns can be lightened to
prevent interference with type.
– The International System of Units (metric) should be
used; other units may be noted in parentheses
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/raag-graphics-guidelines.pdf

25. Some guidelines from a trusted source
• Screen tints and patterns
– Screen tints and area pattern fills should reflect
the importance of graphic elements through visual
hierarchy (i.e., more important elements appear
more prominently than less important elements).
– Typically, graphics should not have more than 6
tints.
– Graphic files should be submitted at 600 dpi.
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/raag-graphics-guidelines.pdf

26. More resources
• http://colorbrewer2.org/
• http://cartographicperspectives.org/index.php
/journal
• http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/n
otes/cartocom/cartocom_f.html
• http://www.cartography2.org/
• http://cartastrophe.wordpress.com/