Modern Cartographic Forms of Expression: The Renaissance of Multimedia Cartography

Beata Medyńska-Gulij,Paweł Cybulski,David Forrest

doi:10.3390/ijgi10070484

Beata Medyńska-Gulij, Paweł Cybulski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10070484

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Abstract

This article summarizes the Special Issue of “Multimedia Cartography”. We present three main research fields in which multimedia cartography and the study of the effectiveness of multimedia maps are currently taking place. In each of these fields, we describe how published research is embedded in the broader context of map design and user studies. The research refers to contemporary technological trends such as web HTML5 standards, virtual reality, eye tracking, or 3D printing. Efficiency, performance, and usability studies of multimedia maps were also included. The research published in this issue is interdisciplinary. They combine traditional mapping methods with new technologies. They are searching for new places for cartography in, e.g., the environment of computer games. They combine the design of the map with its perception by users.

Highlights

Cartographic Forms of Expression: The growing volume of data that can be presented by cartographic visualization requires map makers to use different means of expression
Multimedia cartography is a research area in cartography that focuses on the utilization of various multimedia for the effective and efficient visualization and communication of spatiotemporal data
Noteworthy is the importance of the cartographic symbol and the map itself as the core of the multimedia visualization

Summary

Introduction

Cartographic Forms of Expression: The growing volume of data that can be presented by cartographic visualization requires map makers to use different means of expression. They allow integration the map with video, sound, or animation in an interactive environment. Multimedia cartography is a research area in cartography that focuses on the utilization of various multimedia for the effective and efficient visualization and communication of spatiotemporal data. The multidimensionality of geographical data creates certain demands for mapping products, and the answer to these demands is multimedia cartography. Efficiency, and usability is possible thanks to user studies. In this approach, actual users are involved in the overall process of map design.

Dynamic Spatiotemporal Data

Maps and Interactions

New Visualization Methods

Findings

Conclusions