Notes on mapping

Every map is someone’s way of getting you to look at the world his or

her way.

(Lucy Fellowes, Smithsonian curator, quoted in Henrikson 1994)

Maps have traditionally been used as visual representations of infrastructure and geographical data. (e.g. the shape and position of continents, coastlines, rivers, roads, towns, hospitals, etc. and the distances in between). The primary function of maps has been the communication of information and data. Maps not only depict but enable.

Over time their use and purpose has moved way beyond the traditional ones into becoming interesting mediums for telling stories and documenting changes in a given place over a period of time.They offer the viewers an added 'perspective that taps into our ability to process visual information and relate to spatiality.'

What are the key elements to a map?

Distance and scale- This could be looked at as time and space.

A set of " major points"- the nature of these would vary from map to map depending on the intent- could be geographical positions, events that occurred etc.

Relationships between the major events and minor ones. (this gives the viewer a direction to read the map)

Layers of information that help unravel the elements above. There usually is hierarchy that helps as move through the layers easily without congesting it.

Often some layers are at the individual level; over the years we have as societies assigned symbols to represent objects, relationships, events,etc in the real world- an understanding of these helps the individual understand the map.

At the social level, the society and culture in which the author and the viewer co exist that the map can provide meaning.

While creating a map one uses various thought tools:

-why are you making your map; purpose- cognitive, functional, lexical), audience, what does it communicate?personal or impersonal?

-Data: based on purpose what info do you want to get across? what levels of info?

-Tools for mapping- existing maps, gps, measurements, levels, interviews, research documents etc

-Map design- what medium is best suited: audio , 2d, 3d etc?