An Empirical Analysis of the Design Principles for Quantitative and Qualitative Area Symbols

Abstract

To test the appropriateness of area symbol design principles, this study examined eye fixations on maps that varied in three areas: quantitative or qualitative information, conventional or unconventional design, and chromatic or achromatic presentation. The conventional design of associating darker symbols with greater magnitudes on quantitative maps led to shorter fixation on the map legend, and better performance on the overall map-distribution questions from a memory questionnaire given after the maps were viewed. In contrast, the convention of using pattern or hue symbols on qualitative maps resulted in longer fixation on the map body, and poor performance on the overall map-distribution questions. Some evidence of sex difference was also reported.