Module 1: Map Design & Typography

 Map Design & Typography

Deliverable 5


Here is how I addressed each of the 5 map design principles:
  • Visual Contrast: Used distinct, high-contrast colors (e.g., dark green golf course, blue waterways) to separate features of interest from supplemental information that was lighter but still darker than the background.
  • Legibility: Clear symbols and appropriate text sizes were chosen to ensure readability across all map elements.
  • Figure-Ground Organization: A lighter background was used to make features pop, creating a strong figure-ground relationship with the important features in darker colors.
  • Hierarchical Organization: Important elements (e.g., recreation centers) were emphasized with larger, darker symbols.
  • Balance: Proper alignment and spacing of map elements (e.g., legend, title) ensured the layout was visually balanced.

Deliverable 10

The map's text elements demonstrate a thoughtful implementation of cartographic design principles to achieve legibility, visual contrast, and hierarchy. The title "The City of San Francisco" establishes primary importance through its bold, sans-serif font and strategic lower-left placement that avoids feature overlap. A clear hierarchical structure is evident in the treatment of place names, with "SAN FRANCISCO" appearing in large, spaced capitals while secondary locations like "Sausalito" use smaller, title case lettering. Water features follow cartographic conventions with italicized, curved text. Landmark names employ a consistent medium-sized sans-serif font, positioned to respect feature shapes. Topographic labels maintain hierarchy through smaller-sized capitals, while the legend text uses clean left alignment with appropriate spacing. The technical information, including scale and metadata, appropriately uses the smallest font size while maintaining professional legibility. 




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