The role of augmented elements to support aesthetic and entertaining aspects of interactive maps on the web and mobile phones

Abstract

Maps have become commonplace tools within mobile phones, as indicated by recent developments in commercial markets. Wayfinding and various location-based services have become one of the primary purposes for their everyday use. At the same time, multimedia phones are becoming personal, ubiquitous entertainment centres. As a consequence, not only technical and functional elements are important for a user, but also the overall user-experience, including issues such as aesthetic elements and characteristics that serve pleasure. There is very little reason to believe that maps on mobile phones are an exception in this respect. The chapter studies some aspects related to this. Such factors as graphical design, the use of screen dynamics, animation and video as well as the use of sound landscapes and icons are studied. The fundamental role of a map as a cartographic language for communicating information and its relationship with respect to aesthetic and entertaining aspects are also discussed.