Module 2: Map Elements and Typography

Module 2: Map Elements and Typography 

Map Elements:

This module covered essential map elements including scale, orientation, legend, data source, title/subtitle. As well as the supplemental map elements of neatline/frame and different types of inset maps. These supplemental elements may be considered "essential" for the purpose of this class. 

Typography:

The text that is included on map can have a substantial impact on how the information on a map is perceived. There are many guidelines and standards for how to use certain types of text. For example, it is common to represent water feature labels with italics and blue text. Two common ways that text is organized in nominally (by kind) and ordinally (by size). 

Additional guidelines:

• No upside down text
• When possible the ideal location of text it up and to the right of point features
• When labeling an area feature, the label should fit inside without touching any edge. If this is not possible it should be treated as a point feature. 
• Labels should be completely over land or water, not both. 
• Use leader lines when there is a separation between point and label. Leader lines should be very thin and not touch label or point feature. They should point to the center of the point feature. 
• Linear features should be labeled above and parallel to the feature. Labels should follow the shape of these features, so long as the text is still legible (ex: gentle curves when following rivers). 

Lab Assignment:

The purpose of this lab assignment is to practice appropriately and correctly labeling a map. I found the most challenging part to be labeling the rivers. Selecting an appropriate location and adjusting the curves to follow the rivers required attention to detail.