Effect of Size, Shape and Map Background in Cartographic Visualization: Experimental Study on Czech and Chinese Populations

Method for Cartographic Symbols Creation in Connection with Map Series Digitization

The article addresses the issue of the unification of cartographic symbols in terms of graphics (visual) and interpretation in an international context. The motivation is the ongoing digitization of processes in the conditions of Industry 4.0, especially Construction 4.0, where geodesy and cartography have their irreplaceable share. The aim was both to design uniform cartographic symbols for the description of geographical objects on the map and to design a general method for the description of unified cartographic symbols so that it is independent of specific applications. The authors compared the symbols used in the map works of the Czech Republic and neighboring countries that are members of the EU and proposed a formal description of the graphics properties of the symbols, which is based on a general mathematical model. The description takes the form of a text string, and a Python algorithm was built to render the symbol and implemented in the QGIS environment. The article also presents a comparison of some cartographic symbols used in the Czech Republic and in selected EU countries and a proposal for their unification. The motivation is the effort to unify the cartographic language within the EU. The problem is in accordance with the INSPIRE directive (seamless map of Europe) at the international level and with the Digital Czechia 2018+ strategy at the national level.

Web Map Effectiveness in the Responsive Context of the Graphical User Interface

The main objective of this article was to determine the effectiveness of a web map GUI (Graphical User Interface) layout designed specifically for desktop monitors and smartphones. A suitable design of buttons for the graphical user interface is vital for the effectiveness of web maps. This article presents a study of three rules that prevail in GUI map design in terms of responsiveness, which was analyzed on two devices: a smartphone and a PC screen. The GUI effectiveness study, based on six variants of web maps, was conducted by means of eye-tracking on a group of 120 participants. An additional goal was to find an index (based on eye movements, mouse tracking, and time) that would be assessing the effectiveness of the GUI layout on both devices. The main motivation for conducting the research described in the article was the desire to find a synthetic measure based on more than one factor (time) in the context of determining the effectiveness of the GUI.

Numbers on Thematic Maps: Helpful Simplicity or Too Raw to Be Useful for Map Reading?

As the development of small-scale thematic cartography continues, there is a growing interest in simple graphic solutions, e.g., in the form of numerical values presented on maps to replace or complement well-established quantitative cartographic methods of presentation. Numbers on maps are used as an independent form of data presentation or function as a supplement to the cartographic presentation, becoming a legend placed directly on the map. Despite the frequent use of numbers on maps, this relatively simple form of presentation has not been extensively empirically evaluated. This article presents the results of an empirical study aimed at comparing the usability of numbers on maps for the presentation of quantitative information to frequently used proportional symbols, for simple map-reading tasks. The study showed that the use of numbers on single-variable and two-variable maps results in a greater number of correct answers and also often an improved response time compared to the use of proportional symbols. Interestingly, the introduction of different sizes of numbers did not significantly affect their usability. Thus, it has been proven that—for some tasks—map users accept this bare-bones version of data presentation, often demonstrating a higher level of preference for it than for proportional symbols.

Affective Communication of Map Symbols: A Semantic Differential Analysis

Maps enable us to relate to spatial phenomena and events from viewpoints far beyond direct experience. By employing signs and symbols, maps communicate about near as well as distant geospatial phenomena, events, objects, or ideas. Besides acting as identifiers, map signs and symbols may, however, not only denote but also connote. While most cartographic research has focused on the denoting character of visual variables, research from related disciplines stresses the importance of connotative qualities on affect, cognition, and behavior. Hence, this research focused on the connotative character of map symbols by empirically assessing the affective qualities of shape stimuli. In three stimulus conditions of cartographic and non-cartographic contexts, affective responses towards a set of eight shape stimuli were assessed by employing a semantic differential technique. Overall findings showed that shape symbols lead to, at times, highly distinctive affective responses. Findings further suggest two particular stimulus clusters of affective qualities that prevailed over all stimulus conditions, i.e., a cluster of asymmetric stimuli and a cluster of symmetric stimuli. Between the intersection of psychology, cartography, and semiotics, this paper outlines theoretical perspectives on cartographic semiotics, discusses empirical findings, and addresses implications for future research.