Color Chart Use In Map Design

Abstract

Ten process-printed color charts based on the perceptually ordered Munsell system were previously developed. Sixteen cartographers with experience in color map design were mailed copies of the chart and were subsequently interviewed by telephone. The objectives of the interviews were to gather background information on the cartographers' general use of color charts and to examine the perceived usefulness of the Munsell-based charts as aids for map color selection. Approximately half of the interviewees were not satisfied with the color charts they were currently using. Over half of the cartographers had difficulties with differences between printed map and chart colors. As a summary of the interviews, eleven recommendations are made for the design of yellow-magenta-cyan charts of the conventional lithographers' format. Twelve of the cartographers judged the Munsell-based charts as potentially useful aids for map color selection, especially for the design of thematic color progressions. Likewise, the cartographers' solutions to di ffic ulties with the layouts of their conventional charts indicated that a different chart organization, possibly perceptual, would be useful to cartographic designers. Overall, the interviews revealed a surprising diversity of opinions about and requirements of color charts that are used in map design.