NEW MAP GRAPHICS 
Stanislav Franges 
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geodesy 
Kaciceva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 
sfranges@public.srce.hr 
KEYWORDS: map graphics, demands posed upon map graphics, current influences on map graphics 
ABSTRACT: 
The map graphics has been appropriate for classical photomechanical procedures, but today, when we deal with digital 
procedures, it should be changed. It has been pointed out thereby that within the frame of the spirit of time, the map 
graphics has been affected especially by various periods in art accompanied by the technology development. Referring 
to the hardware, the influence of resolution is pointed out, and in connection with software the importance of tools 
necessary for achieving adequate map graphics in digital cartography. Furthermore, the map graphics is especially 
affected by geoinformation systems, and with respect to the spatial image, regardless of whether the map is in digital or 
analogue format, the cartographic visualisation of space is imposed as the most important. In connection with the current 
changes in map graphics, it is emphasised that the application of computers in cartography and the development of 
analytical cartography have lead to the real and virtual maps, and after the cartographic presentations on the screen, 
some more non-analogue cartographies products appeared, the most frequent being data sets, electronic atlases, 
animated and multimedia presentations. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Larger changes in the design of map graphics start mostly 
with the production of new map products, however, the 
changes are more or less limited by the tradition, the need 
for harmonisation of symbols on map products in a single 
state and by the need for standardisation within the 
international frame. The map graphics has proved itself as 
very successfully by being easily understood and 
remembered, as well as by its further usage in map 
products which is to follow in the future leading to the so 
much necessary standardisation of map graphics on 
official maps. 
I would like to quote K.-H. Meine (1975): “Map graphics is 
a mutual game of elements on a map”, and E. Imhof 
(1985): “ Good map graphics is the essence of each good 
map”. 
2. MAP GRAPHICS AND ITS INGREDIENT PARTS 
Map graphics is a special way of presenting spatial 
objects. It is a system of symbols consisting of map 
symbols and of mutual relationship of symbols (syntactic 
dimension), the relationship of symbols according to the 
presented objects (semantic dimension) and the 
relationship of a user according to the symbols (pragmatic 
dimension). 
Today the map graphics can be realised with the help of 
computers in at least equal or even higher quality than the 
one made with manual or photomechanical procedures. 
The usage of modern hardware and software yields a 
series of new possibilities. 
The map graphics contains (Fig. 1) basic geometric and 
graphic elements: points, lines and areas, and the map 
signs that we call symbols when they are applied for the 
presentation of object position and quality. When map 
signs are applied for the presentation of numerous values 
of an object we call them diagrams. The map graphics 
includes furthermore: rasters with half-tone being their 
special case that can be used for clear presentation of 
relief features, then as an independent element it must 
include colour and obligatory lettering for the description 
and titles of objects on a map. 
Fig. 1. Ingredient parts of map graphics 
3. DEMANDS POSED UPON MAP GRAPHICS 
Before the consideration and making of demands has 
commenced, one should reflect upon our experience of a 
map or upon what is necessary to experience a map. This 
question touches the essence of cartographic 
communication itself. According to Uçar (1979), map is a 
visually very clear and to a certain extent intuitive model 
of space. Cartographic communication is graphical and 
visual communication. 
Flence, the sight is one of the most important bonds that 
connect us with the environment, it is man’s bond with the 
world. In map usage, the sight and its possibilities or 
limitations set certain conditions, regardless whether the 
maps are in analogous or digital form. These conditions 
will be the most important in the case of making demands 
in map graphics. 
The formation of map graphics can also be, according to 
Bos (1984), influenced by special circumstances in which 
a map will be used. These are: the distance from which