Designing Better Maps
A Guide for GIS Users

Breaks down the myriad decisions regarding color, font, and symbology that must be made to create maps which communicate the intended message of the mapmaker. This work demystifies the basics of good cartography, walking readers through layout design, scales, north arrows, projections, color selection, font choices, and symbol placement.

This beautifully illustrated reference guide breaks down the myriad decisions regarding color, font, and symbology that must be made to create maps that effectively communicate the intended message of the mapmaker. "Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users" demystifies the basics of good cartography, walking readers through layout design, scales, north arrows, projections, color selection, font choices, and symbol placement. Recognizing the need for integration with other publishing and design programs, the text also covers various export options, all of which lead to the creation of publication-worthy maps. "Designing Better Maps" includes an appendix describing the author's popular ColorBrewer application, an online color selection tool.