Creating Symbols with Labels

Creating Symbols with Labels

We learned about visual variables in Lesson One and applied those ideas to create general purpose maps. For example, you might have used different line weights to create hierarchies of road features, or different hues and/or patterns to differentiate between types of waterbodies. In this lesson, we apply these same ideas to text.

Figure 2.3.1 A map with label symbols.

Credit: Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte, NC. (click the source for a bigger image!)

When designing labels to show order (e.g., population size, (road) speed limit), choose text characteristics that demonstrate differing levels of importance, such as those shown in Figure 2.3.2.

Figure 2.3.2 Examples of font characteristics to show order.

Credit: Cary Anderson, Penn State University.

When designing labels to demonstrate category, choose text characteristics that demonstrate difference, but not importance or order (Figure 2.3.3).

Figure 2.3.3 Examples of font characteristics to show category.

Credit: Cary Anderson, Penn State University.

As with symbol design, it may often be prudent to use both types of characteristics together—creating labels that show both order and category. When designing labels, be cautious to attend to the aesthetics of your map, and avoid over cluttered or overcomplicated design. It often looks messy to use more than two fonts on a map, so try to stick to two: as noted previously, pairing a serif and a sans-serif font that look good together often does the trick.