'Less is more' is arguably the most often quoted rule in the history of design. Designers from Christian Dior (fashion) to Saul Bass (graphic design) to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (furniture) have thrived on the principle. It's an idea that even applies to cartographers.
'Less is more' in Mapmaking
Going back in history, mapmaking was much more of an interpretative skill, than an exercise in pure geography and geometry. Early mapmakers were almost 'parchment alchemists', collecting existing maps, sea charts, captain's journals, logbooks, traditions, word of mouth, legend and hearsay, and blending it all together into a brand new creation. And without satellites and GPS to disprove them, a flawed map could still remain the best available resource on an area for centuries to come. The mythical 'Mountains of Kong' appeared on maps for a hundred years simply because no-one had yet located the mouth of the Niger River, and it was assumed a mighty mountain range must be diverting it inland. But what about those 'white spaces'? The uncharted areas? The unknown? As humans, we really prefer not to admit when we don't know something, and those white spaces seem to be broadcasting our ignorance. You can understand why mapmakers often felt compelled to fill-in those gaps.
Sometimes that may just involve using a very large text label -- a huge 'A.....F.....R.....I.....C.....A' might carve its way majestically through the interior of a continent.
Continue reading %‘Less is More': Truth, Justice and the Design of Maps%
