Making Maps: DIY Cartography

What is a Map?

Why are you Making your Map?

Mappable Data

Map Making Tools

Geographic Framework

Map Layout

Intellectual and Visual Hierarchies

Map Generalization and Classification

Map Symbolization

Type on Maps

Color on Maps

Finishing your Map

Index

Making Maps at Amazon.com

Making Maps “works as a cartographic primer or reference… it works as a textbook for cartography or GIS classes… Finally, Making Maps works as a philosophical volume on the cartographic process to be returned to again and again.” Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, March 2007

“…a constructively provocative introductory text that draws attention and creates enthusiasm and excitement. The book challenges the reader to engage and to think. It promotes creativity. It is packed with examples to demonstrate why maps are important.” Peter Keller, Cartographic Perspectives, 57, Spring 2007

“…opens the door to the thinking that goes into the argument the map will hopefully reveal, and therefore, necessitates a critique of the data and methodology that will be distilled in the map.” Tom Koch, Cartographic Perspectives, 57, Spring 2007

…approaches “the entire cartographic process (from initial idea to completed map) in an innovative and captivating way. It is a good and useful approach and one long overdue.” George McCleary, Cartographic Perspectives, 57, Spring 2007

“Making Maps adds to the growing list of Guilford Press ‘cartographic classics’ which includes Denis Wood’s The Power of Maps and Alan MacEachren’s How Maps Work.“ International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, vol. 15, no. 3, 2007

“Making Maps takes a visual approach for translating complex concepts of Geographic Information Science (GISc) into easy-to-grasp concepts applicable to a range of users of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The book is heavily illustrated and, rather than the images supporting the text, the text plays the supporting role. Often, concepts are illustrated by a good and poor example on this single page, which allows the reader to see each concept put into practice. Most often, these images speak for themselves and provide the user with revelatory insight. As someone who has been using GIS for about 13 years, but without much formal training (probably typical of many planning students and faculty), I find this book’s approach to key geospatial concepts to be extremely effective, user-friendly, and just plain helpful.” Journal of the American Planning Association vol. 73, no. 1, Winter 2007

“The book’s major strength is the enormous amount of practical how-to information that is packed into each section. …there are literally hundreds of tips that can dramatically improve map comprehension. A valuable nuts-and-bolts introduction to map making that can help both students and practitioners create effective and insightful cartography.” Journal of Planning Literature, vol. 21, no. 1, 2006

“The first impression, before you even begin to read this book… is that the authors had a specific objective: to introduce the reader to map design. This is conveyed in the text of course, but the layout of the book is as much an exercise in, and example of, design as the content inside. From chapter headers to the figure layout and captioning, the content works to blend form with function in a way that makes it obvious that this book is separate from most of the current texts on map making. This is definitely an example of practice what you preach. VerySpatial, January 6, 2006

“Making Maps adopts a flexible and sometimes irreverent attitude towards established practices.” Wisconsin Mapping Bulletin, vol. 31, no. 5, 2005

“Making Maps is “less a technical cartography guide than a tour of
effective map communication strategies.” Land Trust GIS, 2006

“What makes the book unique is that on each page illustrations highlight the idea under discussion, the text merely works in a supportive, explanatory role. Cartography is a visual craft and the many illustrations – 2 or more per page – are essential to the success of this book. The text might introduce an idea, for example, generalization… [and] the illustrations are the exemplar of what works and what doesn’t and users can immediately grasp it.” Cartography, January 7, 2006 & Cartouche: Newsletter of the Canadian Cartographic Association, no. 61, Spring 2006.

“This detailed guide to elementary mapping in the age of digital information, Internet resources, and geographic information systems is simple, clear, and comprehensive. The book’s lucid style and dramatic, apposite, and often funny illustrations make it a novel and effective resource in a culture where the map is a ubiquitous presence. More than an instruction manual on making maps, it is also a guide to their critical reading and interpretation. Making Maps will be invaluable for users as well as creators of maps at the university level and beyond.” Denis Cosgrove, Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles

“Although it looks deceptively simple – like the textbook equivalent of a graphic novel – Making Maps condenses all the essential principles of map making and the geographic concepts behind them into a remarkably accessible, witty, engaging book. The text is crystal clear and irreverent, the hundreds of illustrations inspiring and memorable. Only Krygier and Wood, two of the most creative geographers on the planet, could come up with this breakthrough visualization of the art
and science of making good maps. Novice and even experienced cartographers will find it an indispensable guide.” Anne Knowles, Department of Geography, Middlebury College

“A unique and timely book that provides much-needed guidance to GIS users making thematic maps. One strength of the book is that principles of map design are often best shown by visual example, and another is that the examples are not tied to any one GIS software package. Cartographically sound and very approachable, this book will help readers ensure that the maps they make are clear, legible and easy to understand.” Barbara P. Buttenfield, Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder