[id: 108]
Short description: Many map-makers are not aware of some cartographic and design principles. The creation of an accessible tool could help them improve their maps.
Keywords: map design, education, cartographic principles, thematic mapping
Topic at: TU Vienna
Staff involved: Georg Gartner (georg.gartner@tuwien.ac.at) ; Sacha Schlumpf
Description:
The student working on this thesis will create a tool to help them. The thesis should focus on preparing clear guidelines for assessment of thematic/statistical maps, based on cartographic and design principles. Is the projection appropriate? Are the colors good? etc. The guidelines would be translated into a tool that any map-makers (including non-cartographers) can use to evaluate if their map follows or not fundamental principles, and suggest improvements.
The format of the tool is chosen by the student: interactive or not, could be designed as a decision tree, etc. For these decisions, the student should look at existing similar tools and research, and propose a new approach.
The core aspects of map design should be included: data quality, projection/extent, generalization, visualization method (e.g. choropleth), classification, color choice (incl. contrast, color biases, etc.), text readability, font choice, legend design, etc.
The thesis could be structured in two parts:
– establishing, based on literature, a selected list of cartographic and design principles, written in a clear and accessible way
– developing a tool, e.g. an interactive website, that allows anyone to assess their map
The research could include a user study to test the tool, or qualitative research to establish the tool, for example.
This project could be an opportunity for the student to consolidate their fundamentals and provide a useful tool to the cartographic community.
Literature/references: