Abstract

Ordnance Survey's cartographic design principles
Track: Cartography and Map Production
Authors: Christopher Wesson

As Great Britain's national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey has more than 220 years of experience in map making. We have various core skill sets and whilst many organisations and individuals rely on us to provide accurate and up-to-date geographic data, it is our cartography for which we are recognised globally as a centre of excellence.

As the team responsible for cartographic design at Ordnance Survey, we have created a set of principles that we believe promote good map design at a time when cartography is arguably more important than ever.

They are 'what works best for us' but are also intended as a useful guide for anybody making a map, from Ordnance Survey customers to budding neo-cartographers.

As a community living in the open-era, we must give today's map makers the tools they need to add good cartographic design to their overall user experience.