This document discusses topographic map design and layout. It begins with definitions of topographic maps and their typical contents, which include elevation, slope, land use, hydrographic features, and man-made structures. The presentation then covers the design process, including conceptualization, visualization, and construction of maps. Key aspects of design like legibility, visual contrast, figure-ground organization, and hierarchical structure are explained. The document concludes with discussions of map layout conventions and factors that influence effective design.

1. Topographic Map DesignTopographic Map Design
and Layoutand Layout
Presented by:Presented by:
Khlaraj Chouhan (15)Khlaraj Chouhan (15)
Keshebnath Kattel (3)Keshebnath Kattel (3)
Kailashnath Pandey (1)Kailashnath Pandey (1)
Roshani Sharma (2)Roshani Sharma (2)

2. Presentation OutlinesPresentation Outlines
 Definition of topographic maps.Definition of topographic maps.
 Contents of topographic maps.Contents of topographic maps.
 Design ProcessDesign Process
 Map LayoutMap Layout
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3. What is a topographic map?What is a topographic map?
 Topographic mapsTopographic maps are detailed, accurateare detailed, accurate
graphic representations of features thatgraphic representations of features that
appear on the Earth's surface. Theseappear on the Earth's surface. These
features include: cultural: roads, buildings,features include: cultural: roads, buildings,
urban development, railways, airports,urban development, railways, airports,
names of places and geographic features,names of places and geographic features,
administrative boundaries, state andadministrative boundaries, state and
international borders, national parks andinternational borders, national parks and
reserves etc.reserves etc.
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4. Contents of Topographic MapsContents of Topographic Maps
• Topographic maps contain informationTopographic maps contain information
aboutabout
 the elevation and the slope of the land.the elevation and the slope of the land.
 Land use, Land cover, hydrographicLand use, Land cover, hydrographic
featuresfeatures
 Man made and cultural features (roads,Man made and cultural features (roads,
buildings, cemeteriesbuildings, cemeteries
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5. 09/08/1509/08/15 55

6. 09/08/1509/08/15 66

7. Other Topographic TermsOther Topographic Terms
 Map scale – compares distances onMap scale – compares distances on
the map with distances on earth.the map with distances on earth.
 Legend – explains symbols used onLegend – explains symbols used on
the map.the map.
 Index contours – contour lines thatIndex contours – contour lines that
are labeled to help you find theare labeled to help you find the
contour interval.contour interval.
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8. 09/08/1509/08/15 88

9. What do the colors on the topographicWhat do the colors on the topographic
map represent?map represent?
 General Thumb Rules:General Thumb Rules:
• Blue lines/shapes - represent waterBlue lines/shapes - represent water
features, such as streams and lakes.features, such as streams and lakes.
• Brown – contour linesBrown – contour lines
• Black – special buildings, railroads, otherBlack – special buildings, railroads, other
man made objects.man made objects.
• Green – Woodland areasGreen – Woodland areas
• Red – Transportation layer, BuildingsRed – Transportation layer, Buildings
• Yellow – cultivated landYellow – cultivated land
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10. Now that I know what a topographicNow that I know what a topographic
map is, how do I read it?map is, how do I read it?
 First determine the contour intervalFirst determine the contour interval
(the distance between each contour(the distance between each contour
line)line)
 Then determine the map scaleThen determine the map scale
(usually at the bottom of the map)(usually at the bottom of the map)
 Identify any hills or depressionsIdentify any hills or depressions
 Use the legend to identify man madeUse the legend to identify man made
features.features.
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11. CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGNCARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN
 Cartographic design involvesCartographic design involves
• Conceptualization of the mapConceptualization of the map
• Visualization of the mapVisualization of the map
• Construction of the mapConstruction of the map
 is an “art” to good map designis an “art” to good map design
 Is a partly mental, partlyIs a partly mental, partly
physical process in which mapsphysical process in which maps
are conceived (Imagine) andare conceived (Imagine) and
created.created.
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12. Mapmakers need to understand…Mapmakers need to understand…
 The objective of the map (the message)The objective of the map (the message)
 The people who may use the map (theThe people who may use the map (the
audience)audience)
 The data that will be displayed in the mapThe data that will be displayed in the map
(the information available)(the information available)
 graphics displaying (software or manual)graphics displaying (software or manual)
 The final format of the product (printed orThe final format of the product (printed or
digital)digital)
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13. The medium is the informationThe medium is the information
 PaperPaper (b/w or colour) (CMYK)(b/w or colour) (CMYK)
 FilmFilm
 MylarMylar
 Monitor (RGB)Monitor (RGB)
 ProjectionProjection
 Broadcast TVBroadcast TV
 THE DISPLAY IS PART OF THETHE DISPLAY IS PART OF THE
SYMBOLIZATIONSYMBOLIZATION09/08/1509/08/15 1313

14. Design ProcessDesign Process
 Involves a series of operations.Involves a series of operations.
 It is convenient to break thisIt is convenient to break this
sequence into three stages: Firstsequence into three stages: First
stage, Second stage and Third stage.stage, Second stage and Third stage.
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15. First StageFirst Stage
 Several acceptable solutions are possible forSeveral acceptable solutions are possible for
graphic visualization and symbolization.graphic visualization and symbolization.
 The best result is a general design planThe best result is a general design plan
 ““Good design is simply the best solutionGood design is simply the best solution
among many, given a set of constraintsamong many, given a set of constraints
imposed by the problem” (Dent 1999)imposed by the problem” (Dent 1999)
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16. Second StageSecond Stage
 Develop specific graphic planDevelop specific graphic plan
 analyzing various alternatives and chooseanalyzing various alternatives and choose
the best one.the best one.
 Decide on kinds of symbolism, number ofDecide on kinds of symbolism, number of
classes and class limits, color use,classes and class limits, color use,
typographical relationships etc.typographical relationships etc.
 You have made all but minor decisions inYou have made all but minor decisions in
this stage.this stage.
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17. Third StageThird Stage
 Preparation of detail specifications for mapPreparation of detail specifications for map
construction (automated or manual)construction (automated or manual)
• About symbols, line weights, colors, letteringAbout symbols, line weights, colors, lettering
sizes etc.sizes etc.
 Specifications: all the processes involvedSpecifications: all the processes involved
in map construction.in map construction.
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18. Design PrinciplesDesign Principles
1.1. LegibilityLegibility
2.2. Visual ContrastVisual Contrast
3.3. Figure-groundFigure-ground
4.4. Hierarchical structureHierarchical structure
5.5. BalanceBalance
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19. LegibilityLegibility
 easy to read and understand. (symbols)easy to read and understand. (symbols)
 Clearly visible. (Size, color, line weight)Clearly visible. (Size, color, line weight)
 Identify them clearly.Identify them clearly.
 Not be confusing. (symbol, line, shape)Not be confusing. (symbol, line, shape)
 clearly distinguishable. (used size, colors,clearly distinguishable. (used size, colors,
patterns to differentiate)patterns to differentiate)
 Not, too small or too big. (Symbols)Not, too small or too big. (Symbols)
 contrasting colors and shapescontrasting colors and shapes
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20. Inappropriate Contrast Appropriate Contrast
Visual ContrastVisual Contrast
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21. Example of goodExample of good
line contrastline contrast
Example of poor
line contrast
Visual ContrastVisual Contrast
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22. Visual ContrastVisual Contrast
Line weight Pattern Shading Hue
HUE
INTENSITYINTENSITY
SATURATION
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23. Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization
 Separation figure and map backgroundSeparation figure and map background
clearly.clearly.
 It is natural and fundamental characteristicsIt is natural and fundamental characteristics
of graphic map design.of graphic map design.
 Differentiation (shape, size, color)
 Closed forms
 Familiarity
 Lightness
 Detail
 Size (small and big size of area feature)
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24. Figure ‘floating’Figure ‘floating’
on top onon top on
GroundGround
SuperimpositionSuperimposition
draws attention todraws attention to
FigureFigure
Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization
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25. Lack of contrast resultingLack of contrast resulting
in poor figure-groundin poor figure-ground
perceptionperception
Better contrast resulting
in good figure-ground
perception
Figure-Ground OrganizationFigure-Ground Organization
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26. Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy)Hierarchical organization (visual hierarchy)
 “separate meaningful characteristics and to
portray likenesses, differences, and
interrelationships” (Robinson, 1995).
 ContrastContrast
• Line character and weightLine character and weight
• TextureTexture
• ValueValue
• DetailDetail
• ColorColor
• TextText
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27. Name Placement and AttributesName Placement and Attributes
 Need to consider the most effectiveNeed to consider the most effective
way of positioning type on a mapway of positioning type on a map
• Labeling Point SymbolsLabeling Point Symbols
• Labeling Linear FeaturesLabeling Linear Features
• Labeling AreasLabeling Areas
• Title and Legend textTitle and Legend text
• Other informationOther information
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BalanceBalance

28. Text: Selection and PlacementText: Selection and Placement
Dhulikhel
BM 232
UK
Marga
200
La
k
e
M u d
POINT LINE AREA
CA
NV
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29. Map layoutMap layout
 for presentation maps, some conventions on whatfor presentation maps, some conventions on what
to include:to include:
• a title (or caption). clearly state what the map shows.a title (or caption). clearly state what the map shows.
plus relevant date of data, sources, author, contactplus relevant date of data, sources, author, contact
info, etc.info, etc.
• a legend, so any reader can interpret the content ofa legend, so any reader can interpret the content of
the map. meaning of all symbol and coloursthe map. meaning of all symbol and colours
• scale indication. translates distance on the map toscale indication. translates distance on the map to
distance on the grounddistance on the ground
• orientation indication (the good old north arrow)orientation indication (the good old north arrow)
• borders and neat lines, grid and graticule valueborders and neat lines, grid and graticule value
 these conventions are truly follow or broken!these conventions are truly follow or broken!
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30. 3030
Basic Map ElementsBasic Map Elements
The Development regions of
Nepal
Scale 1: 500, 000
Modified Universal Transverse Mercator Projection
This map is produced in 1995 by Survey
Department, Nepal
0 41 2 3
hundreds of
kilometers
Legend
Map Scale
Graphical Scale
Inset
Map
Projection
Neat line Border Title
Central Development region.
Map Index A B
Map Scale
Representative Fraction
Map Body
North
Arrow
Bibliographic
information

31. Optical Center vs. Geometric CenterOptical Center vs. Geometric Center
Optical Center
Geometric Center
Balance and centreBalance and centre
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32. BalanceBalance
Poorly
Balanced
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33. BalanceBalance
Well
Balanced
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34. Map Design PrinciplesMap Design Principles
 Understanding of
user requirements
 Consideration of display format
 A clear visual hierarchy
 Simplicity
3434
German designer, Dieter Rams
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35.  Legibility
 Consistency
 Accessibility
 Good composition
3535
German designer, Dieter Rams
Map Design PrinciplesMap Design Principles
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36.  What is the goal of the map? (Purpose)What is the goal of the map? (Purpose)
 Who will read the map? (Audience)Who will read the map? (Audience)
 Where will the map be used?Where will the map be used? (Condition of use)(Condition of use)
 What data is available for the composition ofWhat data is available for the composition of
the map? (Available Data)the map? (Available Data)
 What resources are available in terms ofWhat resources are available in terms of
both time and equipment?both time and equipment?
 What is the scale of map? (level of detail)What is the scale of map? (level of detail)
 What is the shape and size of area? ( GroundWhat is the shape and size of area? ( Ground
Reality)Reality)
Factors Influencing Map DesignFactors Influencing Map Design
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37. Any Questions…?Any Questions…?
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38. Thank you !!!Thank you !!!
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