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          Symposium on Cartographic Design and Research
                               and
                Canadian Cartographic Association
         North American Cartographic Information Society
 
                     Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 
                       August 7 - 12, 1994
 
                       Report Prepared by
                      Alberta Auringer Wood
       Map Librarian, Memorial University of Newfoundland
 
     The cartographers began to gather on the night of August 6th
arriving from far and near.  Attendees came from England, Scotland,
Wales, Brazil, Austria, Finland, Japan, eight provinces of Canada
and at least 23 states of the USA.  The symposium on cartographic
and design and research was preceded in 1971 by one organized by
Henry Castner and Gerald McGrath and held in Kingston, Ont.  This
one was organized under the auspices of the Canadian Institute of
Geomatics (CIG).   The second event was a unique cooperative joint
annual meeting of two of the cartographic groups in North America.=20
Not everyone was able to attend both events, but registration for
the first was 84, while it was over 130 for the second.
     The Symposium was a full and intense two days and evenings of
cartography and cartographers.  The sessions commenced on Sunday
morning at 8:45 a.m. with introductory remarks by the Symposium Co-
Organizers, Clifford H. Wood (Memorial University of Newfoundland
and Immediate Past President of the CIG) and C. Peter Keller
(University of Victoria).  They introduced D. R. Fraser Taylor
(Carleton University, also President of the International
Cartographic Association) who gave the opening "keynote" address.=20
He feels that great changes are underway and that cartographers
will influence their own fate with proactive and offensive
responses to grow and advance.  Cartographers and cartographic
design must broaden their horizons.  He had an optimistic view that
at the core is creativity, imagination, and enthusiasm.=20
     Fraser was followed by the first session on "Schools of
Thought" which was moderated by Carolyn C. Weiss (Statistics
Canada).  The first speaker was John B. Krygier (Pennsylvania State
University) who spoke on "Geography and Cartographic Design" that
was a case study of a remote landscape in Pennsylvania whose design
was shaped by geographic context.  He used maps and documents with
hypertext linkages and highlighted words.  Nikolas H. Huffman (also
Pennsylvania State University) followed to tell us "Can't Get Here
from There: Reconstructing the Relevancy of Design in
Postmodernism."  He felt that culture shapes design objects, that
design is a form of rhetoric, and used Richard Edes Harrison as an
example.  Political interpretations must be considered and
postmodernists have done important critiques.  After a short break,
Mark Monmonier (Syracuse University) discussed "Cartographic
Complementarity: Objectives, Strategies, and Examples."  He
advocated that maps would benefit from standard design and
similarities to aid users.  Coherence and flow are needed as in
expository writing.  Matthew Edney (SUNY Binghamton) was the
discussant for this session.  He summarized, compared and critiqued
the papers and noted that all of them re-evaluate means to handle
map design.  He recommended proceeding along lines proposed in
design theory and paying more attention to aesthetics.  A question
period followed.
     After lunch was the session on "For Whom By Whom" moderated by
Michael R. C. Coulson (University of Calgary).  The lead paper was
"What does that Little Black Rectangle Mean? Designing Maps for the
Young Elementary School Child" by Jacqueline M. Anderson (Concordia
University).  Using a video tape and slides, she described her
Quebec case study of children's understanding of components of the
graphic language.  Mark Kumler (University of Colorado) followed to
speak on "Gender Differences in Map Reading Abilities: What do We
Know? What Can We Do?."  His co-author, Barbara Buttenfield (SUNY
Buffalo) was unable to be present.  He indicated that his study had
found possible differences in preferences in how landmarks are
symbolized and for map orientation, but that these may be
attributable to experience.  Regina Vasconcellos (University of S=FEo
Paulo, Brazil) informed us about her studies of "Tactile Map Design
and the Visually Impaired User" through the use of graphic card
pairs.  Henry Castner (Pittsboro, N.C., formerly of Queen's
University) was the discussant for this section.  He noted that the
research does not seem to be useful for getting down to design, and
that we should change from identifying symbols to the process of
symbolization.  There was considerable further discussion among the
speakers and the audience.
     Reconvening after a short break, Michel Rheault (University of
Sherbrooke) chaired the session on "Complexity Through Added
Dimensions."  Irina Vasiliev (SUNY Geneseo) explained "Design
Issues to be Considered When Mapping Time."  She found five types
by looking at a variety of maps (date, duration, standard time,
time as distance, and space as a clock).  She hoped that we will be
better able to understand when to use which symbol.  Roger Wheate
(University of Northern British Columbia) suggested "Re-examining
the Cartographic Depiction of the Third Dimension" with a lively
and interesting presentation very appropriate for late afternoon.=20
He found that in the representation of topography that shaded
relief seems to work better and more efficiently, especially in
recreational  maps.  Christopher Board (London School of Economics)
as discussant noted a common thread to carefully determine what
users require.  Additional questions and answers followed.
     Another short break for dinner was succeeded by "Rules and
Expert Systems" moderated by C. Grant Head (Wilfred Laurier
University).  William Mackaness (NCGIA, University of Maine-Orono)
addressed "Automated Cartography and the Human Paradigm."  In an
effort to get away from the usual way of doing research in
automated design using cognitive artifacts he used a constraint
based paradigm or a "honing" model.  Michael Wood (University of
Aberdeen, Scotland) followed with "The Practioner's View? A Pilot
Study into Empirical Knowledge About Cartographic Design."  He is
surveying 130 members of the Society of Cartographers to
investigate their views on design through an open ended
questionnaire.   He quoted an interesting definition of map as "a
symbolized image representing selected features or characteristics
of geographic reality resulting from the creative choices of its
authors and designed for use when spatial relationships are of
primary importance.  He also past on the suggested term
"cartomediographers" in dealing with the multimedia environments.=20
Robert McMaster (University of Minnesota) summarized the thoughts
in each paper.  He felt that there is a resurgence in interest in
design in the GIS area.  He did not agree with the paradigm
presented.  Questions followed until about 10:00 p.m.
     The symposium reconvened at 9:45 a.m. with a session on
"Automation Challenges" chaired by Brian Klinkenberg (University of
British Columbia).  In beginning the session, he referred to the
July-August issue of Business Geographics (vol. 2, no. 4) that has
an article on good and bad maps.  Jan Mersey (University of Guelph)
was the first speaker.  She discussed "Cartographic Symbolization
Requirements for Microcomputer-Based Geographic Information
Systems."  She reviewed types of maps in eight recent atlases,
including that of Newfoundland to see what to tell vendors of
mapping software regarding needs.  Proportional point symbols were
used most with choropleth maps close behind.  She also reviewed
current capabilities of PC based mapping programs.  Following this
up was Matthew McGranaghan (University of Hawaii, Honolulu) in
describing "An Experiment With Choropleth Maps on Monochrome LCD
Panels."  He found that background is significant, symbol ordering
is not, and placement of legend labels is not.  He recommended
using light background and darker symbols for greater magnitude.=20
The discussant, Judy M. Olson (Michigan State University), posed
questions for the speakers as well as summarizing their findings.=20
Other questions followed.
     I chaired the last session on "Research/Experimentation" that
was held after lunch.  PhD candidate Elizabeth Nelson (University
of South Carolina) presented on "An Evaluation of Multivariate,
Quantitative Point Symbols for Maps."  She succeeded in making a
very mathematical topic understandable.  She measured the
communication effectiveness of four different types of multivariate
symbols.  She concluded that boxed letters were better than
Chernoff faces as cartographic symbols.  Her co-author, Patricia
Gilmartin (University of South Carolina), was unable to be present.=20
Robert Lloyd (University of South Carolina) presented the paper on
"Feature Matching and the Similarity of Maps" co-authored with
Elzbieta Covington and Theodore Steinke (both of University of
South Carolina).  They asked what can we do to understand how
readers get information from maps.  They concluded that those with
more common symbols are viewed as more similar, while those that
have distinctive symbols were viewed as less similar.  The
University of South Carolina trio concluded with David Patton, also
a PhD candidate, who described "An Examination of the Effects of
Task Type and Map Complexity on Sequenced and Static Choropleth
Maps" co-authored with fellow PhD candidate, Rex Cammack, who was
not present.  They used chunking and sequencing in the study.=20
After a short break, John Belbin (College of Geographical Sciences,
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia) talked about "The Practical Application
of Gestalt Theory to the Use and Placement of Text on Cartographic
Products."  He advocated use of a simple and easy to apply system,
such as that developed by Newman Bumstead of the National
Geographic Society.  Borden Dent (Georgia State University) was the
discussant.  He noted that we should examine new paths and use less
passive methodology, such as video taping.  His questions for the
participants were many.  Time ran out!
     A very stimulating and invigorating closing keynote address
was given by Phillip C. Muehrcke (University of Wisconsin-Madison).=20
He pointed out that cartography happens at the stage of design and
noted that the split between practioners and researchers still
exists.  Gender differences presented the most touchy issue.  The
number of references to choropleth maps surprised him as GIS had
promised dasymetric maps.  Politically correct maps and
capabilities of GIS were mentioned, such as the U.S.S. Vincennes
with all the latest in computer mapping that shot down a commercial
jet.  He characterized the late Brian Harley as "Lassie" who
brought home to cartographers that there was more to their maps
than they realized.  Three major points that he raised regarding
the logic of cartographic design were that we must learn to
compensate or neutralize distortions, determine what came first -
the map or the concept the map illustrates,  and utilize intuition
and analysis.  He closed by saying that we must do a better job of
explaining the need for and the value of good design.
     Closing remarks were given by the conference organizers, Cliff
Wood and Peter Keller.  They indicated that proceedings would be
out sometime in 1995.  A reception was held for symposium attendees
and accompanying persons in the Ramada Hotel following this.
     The Canadian Cartographic Association and North American
Cartographic Society meeting began in an informal manner on
Tuesday, August 9th, with tours of map collections, registration,
executive meetings, opening of the Canadian National Map Display
for the International Cartographic Association meeting in 1995 in
Barcelona, and an Icebreaker Reception in the evening.  I visited
the University of Ottawa Map Library.  The tour of the Carleton
University Map Library was cancelled due to a flood.  The map
display included a number of maps produced in or of Newfoundland.=20
A number of these were selected to be among those sent to
Barcelona. =20
     The official conference opening was on Wednesday, 10 August,
with welcoming remarks at 8:30 a.m.  The first session on "Mapping
Aspects of Landscape" began at 9:00 a.m. with a paper presented by
Peter Keller (University of Victoria, co-authored by Lesley Grant)
on "A Comparison of Canada's Official Tourist Maps and the User's
Perspective."  They found that there was no consistent look or
character among them.  Michael Wood (University of Aberdeen)
followed with "Panoramas and Digital Terrain Models for Tourist
Use: A Case Study with Classified Landsat Data Cover."  This
project investigated the map versus three dimensional views for
mountaineering and walking.
     The break was followed by two concurrent sessions.  One was on
"Cartographic Animation and Innovation" while the other covered
"Education and Research."  I went to papers in each session.  The
first one given by Keith Rice (University of Wisconsin-Stevens
Point and co-authored by Aaron Wolf) was on "Fly-By Animated
Terrain Maps: A Retention and Design Experiment."  Its focus was
the Los Angeles basin and required at least a Pentium computer to
execute.  While they found that recall from ordinary maps was
superior overall, they found that the recall of the highest terrain
was superior with the three dimensional views.  I also heard the
paper by Majella-J. Gauthier (Universit=82 du Qu=82bec =85 Chicoutime)
about the "Electronic Atlas of the Evolution of Agriculture in
Qu=82bec, 1981-1991."  It has also been published on diskette.  Dot
maps are used to show density and change.
     After lunch there were another two concurrent sessions.  One
was on "Cartographic Theory" while the other presented views on
"Public Sector Mapping."  I attended the first session where the
first paper was cancelled, but two presenters were there.  Daniel
Strebe (VirtualWare Inc., Japan) spoke on "Why We Need Better World
Maps, and Where to Start" and Hansgeorg Schlictmann (University of
Regina) discussed "Writing and Typography in Maps - The View From
Semiotics."  The former was primarily on map projection theory,
including one of his own.
     There was an afternoon break followed by three concurrent
sessions.  The first one was a "Round Table Discussion" chaired by
Joe Stoll (University of Akron) on "Keeping Your Cartography Lab
Current and Busy" with a panel of lab directors including
Memorial's Cliff Wood.  The second one was on "Mapping for the
Blind and Partially Sighted" with three papers.  The third one was=20
two demonstrations.  The first was of "ArcView as a Tool for the
Visualization of Temporal Change" by David Broscoe (Algonquin
College).  He noted that it is pretty easy to learn, and that it is
virtually impossible to corrupt the original data set.  The second
was of the prototype CD-ROM product on the "Territorial Evolution
of Canada" as part of the development of multimedia products by the
Canada Centre for Mapping.  Lise-Aurore LaPalme-Roy came the talk
and Eve Siekierska was her co-author.  Another potential product on
endangered species was displayed, as well.
     After a hurried dinner, there was the opening of the poster
session from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.  There were about thirty displays.=20
Some were from government agencies, such as the Geological Survey
of Canada, and some were from commercial firms, such as Intergraph
Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) and H.M. Gousha (Comfort, Tx.).=20
Several were of projects done by cartography classes, such as
University of Calgary and University of Helsinki.  Quite a number
were of recent products of cartographic laboratories, such as the
about to be printed geological highway map of Newfoundland
displayed by Memorial.  Other labs represented were from Florida
State University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, University of
Florida, Mansfield University, Georgia State University, University
of Oregon, University of Toronto, University of Kentucky,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ball State University,
University of Akron, and Michigan State University.  Another
interesting poster was by Christopher Board (London School of
Economics) on "Unfolding the Map - Some Neglected Aspects of Map
Design" while Majella Gauthier (Universit=82 de Qu=82bec =85 Chicoutimi)
displayed information on the "Electronic Atlas of the Evolution of
Agriculture in Qu=82bec, 1981-1991."
     The next morning, August 11, a group gathered in front of the
Ramada Hotel to catch the bus to Natural Resources Canada.  This
was "tour day!"  Options included the Digital Cartography Systems
of Topography Surveys, National Atlas Information Service's
thematic cartography and geographical names, Aeronatical Charts
System, Digital Systems and Products Development, Canada Centre for
Remote Sensing, Digital Marine Charts, Geoscience Information and
Communications Division, and the Map Library of the Geological
Survey.  Along with several others, I visited the Map Library
first.  Their more than 250,000 maps are kept in a compact space.=20
They have several electronic altases available for use.  At 10:00
a.m. the chosen tour was of the area of the National Atlas
Information Service.  After an introduction by Iain Taylor of NAIS,
we visited their offices.  Iain noted that the final map for the
fifth edition of the National Atlas of Canada is in process.  A
special sheet has been done on wildlife.  He expects that NAIS will
be on Internet by September 15.  Use of this via Mosaic software
was demonstrated.  The maps included have areas highlighted that
can be downloaded.  It will also include geographical names, a
sales list, a quiz section, information on the national atlas, a
list of Canadian map producing agencies, and an index of map
related "web" sites.  Helen Kerfoot of the Secretariat of the
Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names described their
work, noting that the provinces and territories have the authority
to make names and to change them.  The CPCGN publishes gazetteers
and are working on a national one.  They maintain the digital files
for all the names and their detailed history.  This has much more
information and more names than will be available via the Internet.=20
We also heard that NAIS does joint ventures with other groups, such
as a new wetlands poster with Ducks Unlimited and several
forthcoming posters with Canadian Geographic.  They are also
working on a prototype electronic school atlas at a scale of
1:30,000,000.
     After lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant, there was a
session on "Cartographic Animation Review" conducted by Michael
Peterson (University of Nebraska at Omaha).  He described two
possible approaches as being frame based and cast based.  He would
like to encourage distribution of animation files, especially by
Internet using FTP.  He displayed several.
     The tours were repeated in the afternoon, as well.  The map
display was available for viewing until late afternoon.  Both of
the societies held their annual meetings in late afternoon or early
evening.  After these events the evening was open or attendees were
offered the option of a dinner and cruise of the Rideau River on
the "By-Towne Pumper."
     The poster sessions continued through Friday, August 12.  In=20
the morning there were three concurrent sessions from 8:30 to 9:45
a.m.  One was on "Orienting Ourselves in Space: Implications for
the School Curriculu" chaired by Henry Castner (formerly of Queen's
University) and including a paper by Scott Freundschuh (formerly of
Memorial University now with the University of Duluth).  The second
was on "Analytical Cartography in the GIS Era" chaired by Alun
Hughes (Brock University).  The third was a demonstration by Philip
Dodds (Intergraph) of "Map finishing with Intergraph on Microsoft
Windows."  After the break, there were three more concurrent
sessions.  One was a continuation of "Orienting Ourselves in Space"
with two papers and then discussion.  Another was on "Applications
with GIS" chaired by Ron Bolton (U.S. National Ocean Service).=20
This included another demonstration of "NAIS on the 'Net".  The
final one was a demonstration of the "Electronic Atlas of the
Evolution of Agriculture in Quebec, 1981-1991" that has been
mentioned previously.  Though it primarily used dot density maps,
some choropleth maps were included.  The base map information was
from MapInfo.
     Lunch included a meeting of the Canadian National Committee
for the International Cartographic Association.  Among the major
topics of conversation were plans for the bid for the 1999 ICA
meeting.  Efforts for this are being carried out by Geomatics
Canada.  Nominations are being sought for a potential Congress
Director.
     Another set of three concurrent sessions finished off the
afternoon.  There was continued discussion on orientation and the
curriculum.  Three papers were presented on "Perceptual Research"
chaired by David Tilton (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee).  One
of them gave additional information on the multimedia aspirations
of the Canada Centre for Mapping.  Another session on "Cartographic
Education" included Paul Anderson (Illinois State University)
speaking on "Transforming Cartographic Education with
Microcomputers."
     The banquet was held in the evening at the Canadian Museum of
Nature in an enormous room with very high ceilings.  There was
opportunity to see some of the exhibits before dinner.  After a
dinner of salmon and acoutrements, there were awards presentations
and a banquet speaker.  The conference organizers (Betty Kidd,
Heather Stevens, and David Douglas) were given citations by each
society.  The Canadian Cartographic Association presented three
awards for meritorious contributions to the field.  These consisted
of framed, decorative certificates designed by Gary McManus
(Memorial University of Newfoundland).  The honorees were Lou Skoda
for contributions to commercial cartography, members of the
Historical Atlas of Canada project for completion of that very
significant atlas, and Fraser Taylor for his many contributions
over the years to the CCA.  The banquet speaker was Iain Taylor,
Chief Geographer of Canada, who gave an illustrated lecture on
"Official Mapping and the Creation of 'Canada'."
     On Saturday there was a "MicroCAM Workshop" conducted by Paul
Anderson (Illinois State University) to introduce attendes to the
use of this free software.  There were also two organized field
trips.  One was a mini-van tour arranged by Henry Castner and
narrated by Brian Osborne (Queen's University Professor Emeritus)
of the Rideau Waterway.  The other was a ride on the steam train to
Wakefield.  Conference goers were also encouraged to explore Ottawa
on their own, and there was a Caribbean Festival Parade.  Both of
the societies had board or executive meetings to finish off the
hectic week.