Effectiveness of Dynamic Point Symbols in Quantitative Mapping

Abstract

The main focus of this paper is the effectiveness of dynamic point symbols in the presentation of quantitative data. Such symbols are of particular use in the design of animated maps and computer games. The authors examine three existing techniques of using dynamic point symbols to present quantitative data: blinking, pulsation, and rotation. The aim of the study is to compare their effectiveness with that of classical cartographic animation techniques. The results of the study show that in animated map design, dynamic point symbols might be used to present not only qualitative but also quantitative data with comparable effectiveness. The results may serve as the basis for designing dynamic point symbols to be as effective as the classical techniques used in animated cartography.

KEYWORDS:

• dynamic point symbols
• cartographic animation
• spatio-temporal data
• map design
• animated cartography

Notes on contributor

Paweł Cybulski is a post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Cartography and Geomatics at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. He earned a PhD in 2017. His current research interests include animated cartography, dynamic visualizations and spatial cognition in the spatio-temporal aspect. He is interested in spatio-temporal mapping especially animated maps and eye-tracking analysis.

ORCID

Paweł Cybulski http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5514-5720

Łukasz Wielebski http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2923-7530