Adding your data to the map – Guide to a successful map project part 7
In the last newsletter I talked about sources for map data, adding borders, roads, parks, rivers, etc. to design a base map.
The purpose of a custom map is to show what’s important to you and your organization, which can often mean simplifying and editing the base data, such as showing only major roads. But it also means you can add other information to the map, like suggested walking or driving routes, specific businesses and attractions, and other text and images around the map.
Custom points of interest
During a project consultation for a city or tourist map, for example, I ask my clients if they want these points of interest (POI) on the map. I can usually plot these points from existing datasets using some of the same sources as the base map data.
- community centres
- recreation centres and arenas
- sports fields
- libraries
- shopping centres
- places of worship
- schools and post-secondary institutions
- building footprints
- government buildings
- civic services (police, fire, hospital, EMS, etc.)
For tourist maps, I ask my clients to provide a list of additional points of interest, such as businesses, landmarks, attractions, in a spreadsheet or as plotted points with Google MyMaps.
Labelling points of interest on tourist maps
If there are only a few points, they can be labelled on the map. But if there are many points, such as with tourist map brochures, these are numbered on the map and colour-coded by point type, and listed in a legend on the brochure panels. The example below is for a tear-off map pad.
And depending on how many points and how large the map, my clients may want an index grid to help locate these numbered POIs. A grid also helps locate streets for a city map.
Adding custom data for book maps
My author and publisher clients often want to add routes and places relevant to their books. They’ll give me a list of locations or draw routes on a base map I provide. For history books there are often multiple public domain maps which I can use as sources to manually digitize routes or plot locations.
The Map Surround
The following elements can be added to the map, although they are not always required depending on the type of map and the scale:
- title/subtitle
- north arrow
- scale bar
- legend
- logo
For map brochures the map is usually on the inside and may take part or all of the page when opened. That means the outside of the brochure needs:
- a cover, usually an image or logo with a title
- a back that often has contact information or a detail or overview map
- other panels that include a list of points on the map, photos, tourist information, business information, barcodes, etc.
The example below is for Discover Naramata. I designed the map and template, and my client provided the panels for the outside of the brochure.
The next newsletter will be the last in this Guide to a Successful Mapping Project series. In it I’ll talk about delivering the final product.
Contact me
If you are ready to start your mapping project, contact me for a free consultation.