The document discusses key concepts related to maps and mapping. It addresses how maps answer fundamental questions about location and navigation by representing places in the real world. The document also examines different types of maps, including cognitive maps, strip maps, projections like Mercator and Peters, and thematic maps. Finally, it explores how maps can be used for propaganda or to advocate particular viewpoints.

1. SYSTEMS
MAPPING
I N F O R M A T I O N
+ D I S I N F O R M A T I O N

2. 1. Where am I?
2. Where do I want to go?
3. How do I get there?
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007). Maps: Finding Our
Place in the World.
A map answers the following questions:
M A P P I N G C O N C E P T S
PURPOSE

3. Characterization related to
both selection + scale
Refers to need to modify
depiction of a feature for the
sake of clarity + legibility
Usually involves simplification
M A P P I N G C O N C E P T S
GENERALIZATION
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007). Maps: Finding
Our Place in the World.
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007).
Our Place in the World.
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007).

4. Internal representation of perceived
environmental features or objects + spatial
relations among them
Necessary for human navigation, but do not
need to be accurate renderings of the real world
Golledge, R. G. (1999). Human Wayfinding and Cognitive Maps.
May be fragmented, distorted, and irregular—
a result of difficulties experienced in mentally
integrating different routes into networked
structures
M A P P I N G C O N C E P T S
COGNITIVE MAPPING

5. LONDON TUBE MAP

6. Orientation task
The task of matching the reality to the map
User must find something which can be
uniquely matched between the map + the
actual scene—landmark “footprint” should
have a direction
Davies, C. (2005). Maps Beyond Diagrams: Real-World Spatial Orientation.
Orientation task is harder if the map is not
aligned to the direction that the user is facing
Werner, S., & Long, P. (2003). Cognition Meets Le Corbusier: Cognitive
Principles of Architectural Design.
Werner, S., & Long, P. (2003). Cognition Meets Le Corbusier: Cognitive
Principles of Architectural Design.
Werner, S., & Long, P. (2003). Cognition Meets Le Corbusier: Cognitive
M A P P I N G C O N C E P T S
MAP ORIENTATION

7. UK MOTORWAY MAP
— ROUTES NORTH
UK MOTORWAY MAP
— ROUTES SOUTH

8. M A P C O N C E P T S
PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY
Invented in 1950s by
Situationists Ivan
Chtcheglov, Guy
Debord + Asger Jorn
Navigation based on
emotional response to
surroundings
Can provide level of
familiarity with envi-
ronment not normally
found in conventional
navigation
Chtcheglov, Ivan. (1953). Formulary for a New Urbanism.

9. Traditionally, the simplest way for humans to
represent a route
Understood by virtually all cultures and needs
no scale, orientation, or frame of reference
Golledge, R. G. (1999). Human Wayfinding and Cognitive Maps.
Davies, C. (2005). Maps Beyond Diagrams: Real-World Spatial Orientation.
Usually oriented with travel from bottom of
page to top — “pointed in direction of travel”
M A P T Y P E S
STRIP MAP

10. JAPANESESTRIPMAP

11. Designed for maritime
navigation
Serious distortion
from projecting spher-
ical object (the Earth)
onto a flat surface
Distortion particularly
high at poles
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998). Information Graphics:
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998).
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998). Information Graphics:
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Information Graphics:
M A P T Y P E S
MERCATOR PROJECTION

12. MERCATOR PROJECTION, 1900

13. Developed in 1967 by non-cartographer Arno
Peters, a German-born historian + film-maker
with a PhD in political propaganda
Claims to be a more accurate depiction of the
relative size of nations, particularly those in the
developing world
Peters denounced Mercator projection as
“cartographic imperialism”
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998). Information Graphics:
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998).
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Wildbur, P., & Burke, M. (1998). Information Graphics:
Innovative Solutions in Contemporary Design.
Information Graphics:
Based on cylindrical projection first described
in 1855 by James Gall, a Scottish clergyman
M A P T Y P E S
PETERS PROJECTION

14. PETERS PROJECTION, 2004

15. India + Pakistan both claim
province of Kashmir
Official Indian government
maps show Kashmir as part of
India, while official Pakistani
maps show it as part of Pakistan
Monmonier, M. S. (1996). How to Lie with Maps (2nd ed.)
M A P S A S P R O P A G A N D A
KASHMIR

16. IRAQIMISSILECAPABILITYWashingtonPost

17. IRAQ WAR, 2003
Washington Post

18. Mapped results of 2004 US election
were misleading because they general-
ized voting patterns a the state level
Gave impression of a huge Republican
majority
Geographic map made no allowances
for population density
Baer, K. (2008). Information Design Workbook.
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007). Maps:
Finding Our Place in the World.
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007).
Finding Our Place in the World.
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007).
M A P S A S P R O P A G A N D A
US ELECTION 2004

19. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
RESULTS PER STATE, 2004
GEOGRAPHIC ADJUSTED FOR POPULATION
Michael Gastner, Cosma Shalizi & Mark Newman

20. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
RESULTS PER STATE, 2004
Archie Tse, New York Times

21. Maps are used to support a particular
political viewpoint
Akerman, J. R. & Karrow, R. W., Jr. (2007). Maps: Finding Our
Place in the World.
Monmonier, M. S. (1996). How to Lie with Maps (2nd ed.)
M A P S A S P R O P A G A N D A
ADVOCACY MAPS

22. COXCOMB GRAPH, 1857
Florence Nightingale

23. HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY, 1888
John F. Smith

24. DESCRIPTIVEMAPOF
LONDONPOVERTY,1889
CharlesBooth

25. All maps have inherent bias
There is no such thing as a truly objective map
Despite this, mapping is among the most
effective methods of presenting information
in a visual manner
Virtually anything can be mapped!
I N F O R M A T I O N
+ D I S I N F O R M A T I O N
CONCLUSION

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Black, J. (1997). Maps and politics. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Brewer, C. A. (2005). Designing better maps:
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ESRI Press.
Brown, B., & Laurier, E. Maps and Journeys:
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Chtcheglov, I. (2006). Formulary for a New
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Golledge, R. G. (1999). Human Wayfinding
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I N F O R M A T I O N
+ D I S I N F O R M A T I O N
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29. MAPPING SYSTEMS
CHRISTOPHER J. MOOREHEAD
January 2013