Concepts for the Cartographic Visualization of Landmarks (original) (raw)
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1 User-centred design of landmark visualizations
Landmark-based navigation is the most natural concept for humans to navigate themselves through their environment. It is therefore desirable to incorporate this concept into car and personal navigation systems. However, today's navigation systems are limited to driving assistance and provide guidance information in terms of instructions and distances, based on the current position and the underlying digital map. Research in the field of spatial cognition has shown that the use of landmarks is very important for humans navigating through unfamiliar environments. The integration of landmarks could therefore make navigation instructions more usable. In this chapter we present a design concept for the visualization of building landmarks in mobile maps. We consider four categories of building landmarks: well-known shops (trade chains), shops referenced by their type, buildings with a specific name or function and buildings described by characteristic visual aspects. We then examine how landmarks from each of these categories can be effectively visualized by comparing possible visualizations at different abstraction levels, ranging from photo realistic image presentations, over drawings, sketches and icons to abstract symbols and words. As a guideline to designers we provide a matrix representation of the design space from which possible and recommended presentation styles for each category can be identified.
User-Centered Design of Landmark Visualizations
Landmark-based navigation is the most natural concept for humans to navigate themselves through their environment. It is therefore desirable to incorporate this concept into car and personal navigation systems. However, today’s navigation systems are limited to driving assistance and provide guidance information in terms of instructions and distances, based on the current position and the underlying digital map. Research in the field of spatial cognition has shown that the use of landmarks is very important for humans navigating through unfamiliar environments. The integration of landmarks could therefore make navigation instructions more usable. In this chapter we present a design concept for the visualization of building landmarks in mobile maps. We consider four categories of building landmarks: well-known shops (trade chains), shops referenced by their type, buildings with a specific name or function and buildings described by characteristic visual aspects. We then examine how landmarks from each of these categories can be effectively visualized by comparing possible visualizations at different abstraction levels, ranging from photo realistic image presentations, over drawings, sketches and icons to abstract symbols and words. As a guideline to designers we provide a matrix representation of the design space from which possible and recommended presentation styles for each category can be identified.
Icon Design for Landmark Importance in Mobile Maps
20th Panhellenic Conference on Informatics (PCI2016), ACM, Patras, Greece (2016), 2016
Markers denoting the location of landmarks and search results in mobile apps are used extensively in many applications. The presence of large volumes of markers clutters the information space, making it hard for users to visually differentiate between highly important or recommended locations, or to browse the depicted locations in order to identify suitable choices. In this paper, we present the results of a participatory design process to improve the utility of marker icons in a tourist application. We explore three alternative designs derived from this process by implementing and testing a mobile application that recommends venues based on their popularity (check-in count) in a well-known social network (FourSquare). Our lab experiments highlight aesthetic, utility and performance issues in marker design that affect the usability of mobile map applications.
A Cartographic Presentation Model for Navigation and Location-Based Applications
The paper presents results of research performed at the Warsaw University of Technology in Poland. The objective of introducing the Cartographic Presentation Model represented by the UML class diagram is to formalize and standardize navigation and location-based systems' design process, considering cartographic aspects. Such a process includes preparation of cartographic visualization; definition of appropriate data sources for particular geovisualization elements; definitions of factors (events), which result in modification of visualization; assurance of map content's contextual modification; and a definition of location for replaying audio communiqués, video transfers and other media. In order to formalise this process, the author introduced and proposed the following terms: partial geocomposition, cartographic information transmission unit, cartographic event, geovisualization window, elementary geovisualization. The author defined the genuine model using UML notation and proposed the use of xml file format; (xml files may be used for steering various navigation and location applications). Such an approach attempts to ensure the abstract description of cartographic presentation, which-to the maximum possible extent-could be independent from mobile application manufacturers' solutions. The discussed model is not a model of a geographic reality, but a model of a cartographic presentation of it, therefore in a sense, a metamodel.
International Journal of Geo-Information, 2020
This article proposes an original method of a coherent and simplified cartographic presentation of the interior of buildings called 2D+, which can be used in geoinformation applications that do not support an extensive three-dimensional visualisation or do not have access to a 3D model of the building. A simplified way of cartographic visualisation can be used primarily in indoor navigation systems and other location-based services (LBS) applications. It can also be useful in systems supporting facility management (FM) and various kinds of geographic information systems (GIS). On the one hand, it may increase an application's efficiency; on the other, it may unify the method of visualisation in the absence of a building's 3D model. Thanks to the proposed method, it is possible to achieve the same effect regardless of the data source used: Building Information Modelling (BIM), a Computer-aided Design (CAD) model, or traditional architectural and construction drawings. Such a solution may be part of a broader concept of a multi-scale presentation of buildings' interiors.
Cartographic Styles between traditional and original (towards a cartographic style model)
Cartographic representations are nowadays more and more explored but current online cartographic tools lack graphic and sophisticated tools to make expressive, original and better maps. One important aspect for us is to favor users" creativity in proposing them ways to effectively make customized maps adapted to their needs, preferences and intention. We focus on the notion of cartographic style: our long-term purpose consists in formalizing and implementing cartographic styles in cartographic tools to favor users" creativity during map design process. At this step of the research, we consider existing cartographic styles, traditional ones coming from NMAs, more creative ones coming from old maps, Internet, etc., but also future cartographic styles, coming from other domains (art, image, design, etc.). Our objective is not to list in an exhaustive way all possible cartographic styles, but to provide approaches to highlight visual characteristics to define or to build cartographic styles. These approaches allow us to discuss on the building of a model of a cartographic style.
Cartographic systems visualization in mobile devices: issues, approaches and example cases
Visualization of cartographic systems in mobile devices is a challenge due to the its own limitations to show all the relevant information that the user needs on the screen. Within this paper we review current state-of- the-art technological solutions to face this problem and we classify them in a novel typology. In addition, it is shown an example case of a developed system for a logistic company specialized in dangerous goods. The system is able to calculate optimal routes and communicate the drivers the best path in order to achieve a great management of the company resources
Modern Cartographic Forms of Expression: The Renaissance of Multimedia Cartography
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 2021
This article summarizes the Special Issue of “Multimedia Cartography”. We present three main research fields in which multimedia cartography and the study of the effectiveness of multimedia maps are currently taking place. In each of these fields, we describe how published research is embedded in the broader context of map design and user studies. The research refers to contemporary technological trends such as web HTML5 standards, virtual reality, eye tracking, or 3D printing. Efficiency, performance, and usability studies of multimedia maps were also included. The research published in this issue is interdisciplinary. They combine traditional mapping methods with new technologies. They are searching for new places for cartography in, e.g., the environment of computer games. They combine the design of the map with its perception by users.
Designing multi-scale maps: lessons learned from existing practices
International Journal of Cartography, 2020
Mapping applications display multi-scale maps where zooming in and out triggers the display of different maps at different scales. Multi-scale maps strongly augmented the potential uses of maps, compared to the traditional single-scaled paper maps. But the exploration of the multi-scale maps can be cognitively difficult for users because the content of the maps can be very different at different scales. This paper seeks to identify the factors in the design of map content and style that increase or decrease the exploration cognitive load, in order to improve multi-scales map design. We studied sixteen existing examples of multi-scale maps to identify these factors that influence a fluid zooming interaction. Several different analyses were conducted on these sixteen multiscale maps. We first conducted a guided visual exploration of the maps, and a detailed study of the scales of the maps, to identify general trends of good practices (e.g. the WMTS standard that defines zoom levels is widely used) and potential ways of improvement (e.g. a same map is often used at multiple successive zoom levels). Then, we focused on the visual complexity of the multi-scale maps by analyzing how it varies, continuously or not, across scales, using clutter measures, which showed a peak of complexity at zoom level 12 of the WMTS standard. Finally, we studied how buildings and roads are subject to abstraction changes across scales (e.g. at what zoom level individual buildings turn into built-up areas), which can be one of the causes of exploration difficulties. We identified some good practices to reduce the impact of abstraction changes, for instance by mixing different levels of abstraction in the same map. Keywords cartography • web mapping • zoom • map generalization • level of detail • abstraction • clutter • visual complexity
Map Design for Complex Architecture: A User Study of Maps and Wayfinding
The following study seeks to determine if a printed, paper map can aid visitors in navigating through complex architectural environments. Specifically, we report on the design and testing of two different paper maps intended to help patients find dental clinics and related offices within a large medical and health sciences center. As part of an iterative design process, we first identified a variety of design factors that influence the cognitive aspects of using maps during wayfinding, and redesigned an existing map of the environment based on those principles. We then conducted user testing to further determine what information should be included or excluded on the map and to see if changes in format enhanced or detracted from communication goals. The results show that maps can indeed assist visitors in finding their way through complex buildings, but that there are limitations to their ability to overcome architectural barriers.