Getting Real: Reflecting on the New Look of National Park Service Maps

Authors

  • Tom Patterson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14714/CP43.536

Keywords:

Cartographic realism, park landscapes, shaded relief, illuminated relief, cartographic art, Walensee, aerial photograph maps, Aitutaki, raster map design

Abstract

To make more inviting and understandable maps for general audiences, the U.S. National Park Service has been experimenting with cartographically realistic map design. Using rasterized geodata and unconventional image processing techniques, cartographic realism draws inspiration from traditional cartographic art, modern graphic design, observations of nature, and aerial photograph maps. The aim is to combine the best characteristics of imagery and maps into a more intuitive hybrid product. Discussed techniques include aquafication, texture substitution, illuminated relief, and outside land muting.

Downloads

Published

2002-09-01

How to Cite

Patterson, T. (2002). Getting Real: Reflecting on the New Look of National Park Service Maps. Cartographic Perspectives, (43), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.14714/CP43.536

Issue

No. 43 (2002)

Section

Featured Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).