A Lay Mapmaker’s Perspective on the Dilemma of Cartographic Design

Authors

  • Johannes Moenius University of Redlands

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14714/CP73.595

Keywords:

aesthetics, design, dilemma, audience orientation, choropleth

Abstract

Aesthetic, accessible, astounding, and accurate—these four adjectives best describe the value drivers of maps from a lay mapmaker’s perspective. Aesthetics is the marketing of the map, as an unappealing map will not attract readers. It also needs to be accessible: readers need to understand the message correctly and recognize the locations of their interest, otherwise they will turn away quickly. If the content of a map is astounding, readers will get engaged with the map. Accuracy, which refers to the correctness and precise measurement of the data as well as its visual representation, builds reputation—inaccuracy kills it. Frequently there are trade-offs between these four main value drivers to consider, requiring a dilemma approach to cartography.

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Published

2012-09-01

How to Cite

Moenius, J. (2012). A Lay Mapmaker’s Perspective on the Dilemma of Cartographic Design. Cartographic Perspectives, (73), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.14714/CP73.595

Issue

No. 73 (2012)

Section

Opinions

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