10 Things
everyone should remember when designing maps

Presented by

Ian Muehlenhaus

ianoas@gmail.com

ian.muehlenhaus.com

@imuehlenhaus

YOUR core Objective?
communicate

1

COMMUNICATE

:: to share or exchange information, news, or ideas.

Who is your Primary audience?

limit communication goals

medium is irrelevant

(most of the time)

2

movies are movies

Books are books

maps are maps

the devil is in the details

(but not how you think!)

3

too much interactivity

can quickly kill your message

4

If map elements don't help your message

weed them out!

5

Balance & layout

make for clear and beautiful communication

6

Visual hierarchy

more important than your data

7

map titles & COPY
are the key ;-)

as much as data

8

TITLES COMMUNICATE WHAT YOU WANT
THE MAP READER TO SEE

Text

Come up with a good title!

Map type & color

(the devil is actually in the details)

9

color.adobe.com (free online)

if you only have a hammer

(Find More Tools Before You Try Building a House!)

10

1) It's all about Communication

2) Medium is irrelevant

3) Data Detail is Overrated

4) Too much Interactivity is Distracting

5) Less is More in communication

6) Is your map Layout Balanced?

7) Your map users Need a Hierarchy

8) Map Copywriting Matters (Bigly!)

9) Use non-default Type and Color

10) Find and Use the Right Tools

Resources to help

Cartography Tutorials

goo.gl/JH3SS1

Google Fonts

fonts.google.com/

Adobe Color

color.adobe.com

Copy Writing Tips

goo.gl/Mmc2yP