Wisconsin Reference Map

GEOG 280 - Cartographic Design

The purpose of this project was to edit the given reference map of Wisconsin, but also to focus on the completion of a thorough, accurate, and aesthetically pleasing legend. I designed this map using Adobe Illustrator.

This map was a challenge to edit because of the variety of point, line, and polygon attributes placed on top of the colorful Wisconsin landcover layer. To improve the legibility of the most important elements, the city names, I added a strong outer glow. Regarding the city typeface sizes, I chose four point sizes that were dramatically different but still readable. This also aids in contrasting the city labels from the county labels. I ultimately chose two shades of gray and a brownish-red for the highway colors. I also filled in the indigenous nation layers with color and added state and lake labels. Finally, I added small details like the outer glow behind the title and recolored the north arrow and scale bar for aesthetic purposes.

All elements in the legend are the same size, color, and thickness as they appear in the map. I placed the county seat, county name, and state capital elements on top because they do not belong to a specific category. The thick margins between element categories and pink boxes behind category titles aid in readability and hierarchy. I left justified all elements for legibility. I chose not to include an explicit “legend” title because it is an unneeded element that would just be distracting. All in all, the legend is informative but does not take away from the map.