As the questions of message, audience, and context are addressed, one can turn to issues relating to the form, layout, and composition of a map. In this section, we will begin by raising questions about size and proportion, about simplification, and about the general types of information that are arrayed on maps. Although symbolization is critical to map composition, it is so important a subject that it will be considered in the next section.
From the very start of a cartographic project, you must keep an eye on the format of the final production--its final size and proportions and the media that will be used for production. If your final map will occupy a half page in a journal printed on 8x10 inch paper in black on white, you must design without color, with the frame of the map in the proportion of 4:5, and make allowances for lettering and symbols that may be illegible at small sizes. Strategies that work for one paper size may not work for another. The same is true for different types of media and printers. Each has its strengths and limitations with respect to the colors, patterns, and lettering that can be produced. Also, a map placed in a book, journal, or thesis will usually be captioned rather than titled and some of the other information needed for effective communication will move to this caption.
- Cartography is very much a process of abstraction in which features of the real world are generalized or simplified to meet the demands of the theme and audience. Not all elements or details have a bearing on the pattern or process being studied and so some are eliminated to draw the reader's attention to those facts that are relevant. Too much detail can even hide or disguise the message of a map. The amount of detail that can be included is very much dependent on the scale at which the map will be produced, as the following examples demonstrate. A small-scale map of an area must, almost of necessity, be more generalized. Some automated systems now have the ability to provide assistance in the generalization and simplification of features. If such routines are not available, you should study a test plot of your map at its final scale. If linework or lettering touches itself and blurs together, you should consider generalizing the features and enlarging the lettering.
You may wish to map one part of a larger area--one country out of a continent, or one state out of many. The amount of surrounding territory and the number of neighboring features you include will vary substantially by context. In effect, the more your audience knows, the less you have to show. Be aware, however, that adding just "a little" information, unless done wisely, can lead to confusion. Sometimes locator and index maps (see below) are used to help orient the reader to the location of the area of interest.Almost all maps must include certain basic elements that provide the reader with critical information. Among these are the title, scale, legend, body of the map, north arrow, cartographer, neatline, date of production, projection used, and information about sources. The placement of this information and the style of its depiction will vary greatly from map to map depending--as always--on the audience and message. Some elements are found on almost all maps no matter what the theme, others are depend heavily on the context in which the map will be read. Let us consider these elements to see how they are depicted and why their importance may vary from map to map.
As one considers each map element, the cartographer must determine its importance to and priority within the overall map design. The most important elements in a given design should be featured in more prominent positions and perhaps occupy a larger area within the map frame. As a first approximation, the most important information should be featured near the top or to the left of the map. Less important and ancillary map elements can be positioned toward the bottom and right. In this way, the importance of the various map elements can be matched to the visual hierarchy of the map itself. In general terms, the importance of a given map element should be reflected in its position and the amount space it occupies on the map.
Once the elements are arranged to reflect their importance, attention can be given to their overall balance in the map frame. The idea here is to distribute the elements as evenly as possible within the map frame to avoid unnecessary crowding or, conversely, large blank areas. The cartographer can also align map elements within the frame to allow readers to more easily scan the page
Experimentation is often required to achieve an effective layout. You might begin by preparing some simple sketches of you map blocking out how you will use the available space. Sketches such as this allow you to consider alternative layouts before you begin to compose the elements in detail. Sometimes computer-assisted drafting systems can be useful at this stage because of the ease with which they permit you to experiment with possible layouts.
- As you develop a design for a map, think carefully about every element--does it play an essential function, could it be simplified, does it require elaboration, is it of critical importance to reader comprehension, or only of background interest. Such questioning of every detail is important to effective map making. Everything that appears on a map should be there for a defensible reason relating to message and audience.
- As you consider the elements of your map, it is sometimes useful to apply the adage less is more. As you work, consider ways in which you can simplify your design and make it more legible. Too much detail or too complex a layout can confuse readers and work against effective communication. Do not avoid experiments, but be sure to test them carefully with your potential readers.
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