Typography & Making Map Labels (part II)

Of the many small details essential for a well-made map, labels rank among the most likely to be overlooked.  They are a small element that, when done well, warrant no particular notice, but, when executed poorly, have real potential to destroy a map's aesthetic beauty and practical use.  A working knowledge of typography basics is an integral skill in creating functional and visually appealing map labels.

Mapping the City of San Francisco presents a perfect opportunity for practicing skills and various techniques in effective map labeling, and the above map is my submission.  What would be considered a "good" label has a number of characteristics, among them its legibility, and the degree to which it contributes to a harmonious and visually pleasing display.  Thus, there is a balance to be struck between making the label easily readable, but not so ostentatious that it overpowers other, and possibly more important, details within the map.  Another potential challenge is keeping each label, in accordance with general map-making convention, within the boundaries of, or adequately adjacent to, whatever it is intended to be labeling.  Treasure Island in the map above, for example, isn't wide enough to accommodate its label at the appropriate text size, and thus the decision to change its orientation.  Small choices such as these, and a plethora of various others, lead to useful labels and a functional map.