Module 1 - Map Critique

Our first assignment in Module 1 involved analyzing and interpreting two different maps: one that is well-designed and another that is poorly designed. The main objective of this lab is to understand and comprehend the design principles of maps, as well as to learn how to distinguish between a well-designed map and a poorly-designed one. This objective can be achieved by assessing the map's cartographic design, elements, layouts, and design concepts, and substantiating our assessment with two or three of Tufte's six principles or commandments of mapping.

Well-Designed Map

The first map I selected for the well-designed map was a map for the City of Bellevue facilities locations. The map’s main purpose is to show the locations of various facilities in the City of Bellevue, such as police stations, fire stations, community facilities, government buildings, hospitals, libraries, post offices, and schools. It is well-designed, balanced, and easy to understand, aligning with Edward Tufte's map principle that maps should present important information clearly. 

The map is made for both the citizens and visitors of Bellevue to find different facilities. The facilities are marked with distinct colors that match the symbols in the legend; for instance, schools are shown in magenta and fire stations in red. The facilities are labelled by name on the map, although addresses are not included, main roads are clearly labeled to help locate them. 

Tufte second map principle states that the purpose of maps is what drives the choice of data classification scheme. The map effectively demonstrates its purpose by using qualitative data represented through various colors and shapes. It also shows parks, categorized by different shades of green, streams in blue, and city limits in a thick dashed gray line. While there is no road symbol in the legend, road names are legibly displayed. The use of various symbols for different facilities helps recognition, and the colors chosen for parks and roads enhance the overall clarity. Areas outside the city are distinguished by a different color, making the city boundaries stand out. The map uses recognizable symbols, such as the H for hospitals and a transportation library symbol for libraries, which are easily understood. Moreover, I think that Tufte third map principle, that map labels should be effective, was implemented in this map layout.

The layout is balanced, with the map title “Bellevue Facility Locations” clearly displayed at the top. The map elements are logically arranged, and the scale bar is appropriate for the map context. Symbols, though missing for roads, are otherwise well represented in the legend, which is clearly labeled. Overall, the map is visually appealing and effectively follows cartographic design principles.

Poorly-Designed Map

The purpose of this map is to show the population of United States capitals in 1999. At first glance, the map feels overwhelming and hard to understand. It seems intended for those who want to compare the populations of capital cities, but it lacks clarity and sufficient information. It is true that maps should contain minimal unnecessary information (Tufte fourth map principle) but the map should be clear, readable, and understandable. It should contain all the elements needed to make the map complete.

Using different circle sizes to represent the populations of capital cities is a reasonable choice, but poor labeling and insufficient information make this map poorly designed. The map does not follow Tufte's first map principle, which requires all necessary information for clarity. Although circle sizes indicate population ranges, they clutter the map, making it hard to see which city each circle represents. Overlapping circles further complicate interpretation. A legend is included but is unclear and poorly labeled, not explaining what the size numbers mean or providing specific population figures. 

The layout has weak design with unused white spaces that can be utilized to add more details and supporting information. Not all necessary elements are included on the map; it is missing a scale bar, north arrow, borders, and neatlines. It is evident that Tufte's third map principle, which states that maps should be labeled effectively, is not being adhered to. The title is suitably sized but does not clarify the map's purpose, leading to an overall ineffective illustration of the city populations. This map is ultimately poorly designed.

In conclusion, a good map must successfully follows cartographic principles, ensuring clarity and usability for the map’s viewer. The use of distinct colors and symbols, along with effective labeling, enhances the map's informativeness and accessibility.