Proportional Symbol Maps: Value-Scale Types, Online Value-Scale Generator and User Perspectives

Abstract

Proportional symbol maps are a frequently used method of thematic cartography. Using an intuitive principle—the larger, the more—provides a simple and precise way of visualizing quantity in maps using geographic information systems (GIS). However, none of the current GIS software provides a proper map legend that could be used to interpret exact phenomenon quantity values from the map in reverse. Cartographers have been designing value scales manually for such a possibility of interpretation. Eventually, they preferred to resign to the accuracy of the interpretation and use the legend offered by the software. The paper describes the development of an easy-to-use online value scale generator for static maps, aiming to eliminate the time-consuming process to make map design more efficient while preserving the precision of cartographic visualization and its subsequent interpretation. The tool consists of a free web platform performing all necessary calculations and rendering an appropriate value scale based on user-defined input parameters. This functionality is performed for most typically used symbol shapes as well as for custom-design shapes provided by the user in SVG vector graphics. The output is then returned in a vector SVG and PDF file format to be used directly in a map legend or possibly edited in graphic software before such a step. The presented tool is therefore independent of which software was used for map design. Within the research, two user experiments were performed to compare generated value scales with simple legends generated in GIS and to gather insights from cartography experts.