Colour Contrast in Cartographic Works Using the Principles of Johannes Itten

Abstract

Colour is considered a key means of expression for use in cartographic works. This is because colours and the relations among them influence not only the aesthetic impression a map creates but also its overall utility. In addition to Newton’s spectral colour theory, today theories with origins in artistic technique are gaining ground in cartography. This article introduces J. Itten’s colour theory (first published in 1961 in The Art of Colour [Kunst der Farbe]) with special attention given to his concept of seven colour contrasts. The article also discusses the suitability and unsuitability of their application in practical cartography, and it contributes original examples employing thematic maps, a discipline with broad possibilities for the application of these inventive methods by today’s mapmakers.

Keywords:

• colour in cartography
• colour contrast
• colour theory
• Johannes Itten
• thematic maps

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Program of ‘Employment of Best Young Scientists for International Cooperation Empowerment’ (grant number CZ1·07/2·3·00/30·0037) co-financed from European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic, by the project ‘Operative travel demand management in case of evacuations and extraordinary events on transport network’, identification number VG20102014008 provided by the Ministry of Interior, Security Research Programme of the Czech Republic in 2010–2015 (BVII/2-VS) and by the project ‘Landscape – water – region’ held by J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem supported by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.