Symbolization

At its simplest level of representation, spatial data exists as points, lines, areas, or rasters. But representing these features, combined with their attributes, often means encoding something more complex than just geographic location. Symbolization encodes both the where and what components of features. It reflects the interplay between the feature dimension, whether you need to show single or multiple instances, and the level of measurement you need to describe. Symbolization can show difference (nominal), rank (ordinal), or some numeric measurement (interval or ratio). Symbolization can take on a range of functions on a map but should be clear, concise, and easily understood by anyone reading your map. In many ways, symbolization can be regarded as the coding of map features to communicate meaning.

The following table shows a range of ways you can modify feature symbolization to give it different meaning. The diagram references visual variables, which are ways you can alter symbols to support the intended message. Variations in symbol shape imply qualitative difference. Variations in symbol size imply quantitative difference. For instance, to show the locations of different types of point features, you might vary the shape of the point symbol based on the attribute that defines the type. Alternatively, to show how an attribute varies in magnitude at those points, you might vary the size of the symbols. These visual variables are based on a long history of cartographic communication. Follow these guidelines to best match symbol characteristics to the quantitative and qualitative properties of features.

Visual variablePointLinearAreal2.5DTrue 3D

Spacing

Spacing: point
Spacing: linear
Spacing: areal
Spacing: 2.5D
Spacing: True 3D

Size

Size: point
Size: linear
Size: areal
Size: 2.5D
Size: 3D

Perspective height

Height: point
Height: linear
Height: areal
Height: 2.5D

Not possible

Orientation

Orientation: point
Orientation: linear
Orientation: areal

Not recommended

Orientation: 3D

Shape

Shape: point
Shape: linear
Shape: areal

Not recommended

Shape: 3D

Arrangement

Arrangement: point
Arrangement: linear
Arrangement: areal

Not recommended

Arrangement: 3D

Value

Value: point
Value: linear
Value: areal
Value: 2.5D
Value: 3D

Hue

Hue: point
Hue: linear
Hue: areal
Hue: 2.5D
Hue: 3D

Lightness

Lightness: point
Lightness: linear
Lightness: areal
Lightness: 2.5D
Lightness: 3D

Saturation

Saturation: point
Saturation: linear
Saturation: areal
Saturation: 2.5D
Saturation: 3D

Show qualitative and quantitative differences

Making sensible choices about how to represent your features to convey just the right message is key to making your map communicate effectively. For instance, if you want to show how cities (represented by point symbols) differ in their population size you would probably choose to change the size of the symbol used to represent the points. Larger symbols represent larger magnitudes and this is how our eyes and brains process the meaning of a large symbol compared to a smaller one. In another example, if you wanted to show the difference between a railroad and a freeway, changing the size (thickness) of the line isn't going to immediately show that difference. Instead, you would probably change the shape of the line to show a difference between the two features.

Assigning meaning to symbols generally means deciding whether you're showing a quantitative or a qualitative difference, that is, a difference in size or type. The following table gives some advice on the recommended ways in which you should modify your features depending on feature type and what you are trying to show. Some methods are preferable to others.

QualitativeQuantitative

Point

Preferred: hue, shape

Less preferred: orientation, arrangement

Preferred: size, value, lightness

Less preferred: perspective height, size

Line

Preferred: hue, shape

Less preferred: arrangement

Preferred: size, spacing

Less preferred: perspective height, value, lightness

Area

Preferred: hue, shape

Less preferred: orientation, arrangement

Preferred: value, lightness, saturation, size

Less preferred: perspective height, hue

2.5D

None recommended

Preferred: perspective height, lightness, value

Less preferred: saturation

3D

Preferred: orientation, arrangement, shape

Less preferred: hue

Preferred: lightness, value, saturation

Less preferred: size, spacing

Qualitative and quantitative ways of comparing features