Designing Better Maps

Learn from the best with this popular book on creating successful maps with any GIS or illustration product, written by an expert cartographer.

For more than 18 years, Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users has been essential reading for all mapmakers who use geographic information systems (GIS) across industries and sectors, including government, commercial, creative, or academic. This third edition continues the reliable legacy of this book, distinctive in its clear and efficient emphasis on core cartographic concepts and updated with new and revamped design practices.

With more than 400 full-color illustrations, this book applies map design best practices to both reference and statistical mapping, guiding you through the processes of planning maps, using scale and time, understanding and using color, customizing symbols, and more.

Whether you face the challenge of making well-designed maps or are already adept at GIS data management and analysis but need better ways to visually communicate spatial information and results, Designing Better Maps teaches how to use GIS tools to design maps in provocative and accessible ways.

Award-winning author Cynthia A. Brewer uses her sophisticated mix of experiences-conducting academic research, teaching novice cartographers, mentoring research and mapmaking by advanced students, and collaborating with analysts and mapmakers at various federal agencies-to present this practical information. Brewer is a professor and chair of the Department of Geography at Pennsylvania State University. She teaches introductory cartography and map design courses and advises graduate students working in cartography. She has worked as a map and atlas design consultant for the US Census Bureau, National Cancer Institute, National Center for Health Statistics, and National Park Service.