Thursday, August 8, 2013

Color matters

When we set up our mapping standards, we spent a LOT of time evaluating the colors we would use to best convey the way the numbers ramped up or down in scale. We usually color segments from cool to hot, giving neighboring numbers close colors but not too close so as to be indistinguishable. It may seem like overkill to some people but, as with any graphic standard, it's worth spending lots of effort at the outset so you have a quality image every time down the road.

Look at the USPS delivery "standards" map. I saw this and couldn't resist posting this very short lesson with the case in point of what NOT to do.

Since these times are not guaranteed and based on ranges, a graded color scheme would be much better. Below is an edited sample of what I'd do differently. Incidentally, as I was recoloring the map, I found the greens to be particularly confusing. I think Houston to Washington is 9 days compared to 13 - 14 to Alaska but it's truly hard to tell.

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