
Cartographic Design is the art and science of creating effective, beautiful, and informative maps. It’s one of the most essential skills in GIS, because even the most sophisticated analysis won’t communicate its story without clear and thoughtful map design.
Let’s break this down — I’ll give you a modern cartography guide (especially in the context of ArcGIS Pro), plus some design tips and best practices you can use for both print and web maps.
What is Cartographic Design?
It’s the process of organizing and styling geographic information to:
- Communicate a specific message or theme
- Ensure clarity and visual balance
- Make spatial data understandable and appealing
Good cartographic design = function + form
Core Elements of a Well-Designed Map:
Map Element | Purpose |
---|---|
Title | Clarifies the map’s topic |
Legend | Explains symbols, colors, or data categories |
Scale Bar | Shows the map’s scale (graphic or numeric) |
North Arrow | Indicates orientation |
Inset Map | Provides context (like a location overview) |
Source / Credits | Data source transparency |
Neatline | Optional — frames the map for clarity |
Cartographic Principles to Follow:
Visual Hierarchy
- Arrange elements so important information stands out.
- Use size, color, weight, and position to guide the reader’s eye.
Balance & Layout
- Distribute visual weight evenly across the layout.
- Align map frames, titles, legends, and other elements logically.
Color Theory
- Choose appropriate color schemes (sequential, diverging, qualitative).
- Avoid color combinations problematic for colorblind viewers.
- Use ColorBrewer palettes (available in ArcGIS Pro).
Symbology
- Match symbol styles to map type and audience.
- Use intuitive, clean, and scalable symbols for clarity.
- Keep thematic map symbols distinct and legible.
Typography
- Limit to 2-3 fonts.
- Use font size, style, and color to maintain readability and hierarchy.
- Avoid unnecessary effects like drop shadows or glows unless stylistically consistent.
Cartographic Map Types:
Type | Description |
---|---|
Reference Maps | General features like streets, rivers, parks |
Thematic Maps | Show a specific topic (e.g. population density, land use) |
Choropleth Maps | Color-shaded areas based on data values |
Dot Density Maps | Represent quantities with dot patterns |
Proportional Symbol Maps | Symbols sized by value |
Isarithmic/Contour Maps | Continuous data like elevation or temperature |
3D Maps | Terrain, buildings, visibility analysis |
Cartographic Design in ArcGIS Pro:
- Use Layouts to design and export map pages
- Use Labeling and Annotation tools for precise label control
- Customize Symbology via symbol galleries or build your own
- Adjust Map Frame Extents and set Grids & Guides
- Use ColorBrewer palettes built into symbology options
- Apply Map Effects: drop shadows, halos, blending modes for enhanced readability
Pro Cartography Tips:
- Use a basemap appropriate for your data’s context (topo for hiking, muted gray for thematic)
- Keep your audience in mind: avoid clutter, focus on clarity
- Leverage graticules for global/regional context
- Use data-driven pages for multi-map atlases or reports
- Test your color scheme for color vision deficiencies
- Optimize maps for both screen and print outputs — adjust resolution, colorspace (RGB/CMYK)
Example Cartographic Workflow (Thematic Choropleth Map)
- Add vector data (e.g., counties shapefile)
- Choose Symbology > Graduated Colors
- Set data field (e.g., population density)
- Choose a sequential color scheme (e.g., from ColorBrewer)
- Classify data using Natural Breaks (Jenks) or Quantile
- Design layout: add title, legend, scale, north arrow, credits
- Export to PDF or image for sharing
Want a Hands-On Example?
I can sketch out a step-by-step cartography lab, or help you style a map you’re working on right now. Or — if you give me a theme (e.g. crime, elevation, urban sprawl) — I can outline a custom cartographic design plan for you.
Would you like one? What type of map or project are you building?