Typography and Labeling (the good kind)

Labels are an essential element of maps that we probably take for granted.  The font, color, size, position, etc. of the map labels can mean the difference between immediate recognition of the map's meaning and intended purpose, and the unpleasant task of squinting and muttering unpleasant phrases by the map reader attempting to decipher the map content.  We actually got to read up a bit on typography this week as well, which is an interesting subject to an amateur graphic designer such as myself.  The discipline of cartography, as one might imagine, has many specific and proprietary design conventions, including those involving text and labels.  

Effectively and clearly labeling a map of one of the Florida Keys is the perfect exercise in both cartographic labeling skills, and beginner's frustration-threatening-to-become-blind rage at the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of Corel Draw.  Suffice it to say I spent many an hour creating and making minute changes to the above map, and (hopefully) gained some decent skills in effective design and placement of map labels. 

I wanted also to add interest to the design of the map itself, without distracting too much from the actual content, and so decided to make the map's background a gradient of white and blue.  I went with a clear and readable sans serif type for the letters on the map's labels, and added a white halo behind some of them to allow them to stand out a little better.  I used differently styled labels for the Keys themselves, the cities and water bodies, which ideally allows the map reader to instantly recognize which is which.  Corel Draw remains a bit of a challenge for me, but I do notice an improvement in my ability to wield it effectively each time I use it.