A Plan of Uptown Waterloo | Maps We Love

Why we love it

This modern map uses classic cartographic techniques to emulate a hand-drawn historical survey plan. A familiar aesthetic makes the map immediately accessible and appealing. Though it looks dated, the map is made with current data and tools. We love how artistically the mapmaker employs symbol effects to create a balanced, approachable map that evokes the reality of the place. You get a sense of the city layout—its central business district, parks, residential areas, and thoroughfares. Engaging cartographic symbology allows the map to stand on its own with no need for a legend.

Why it works

This map is effective because it doesn't try to do too much. Its beauty comes from detailed geographic data and subtle styling. The patterns of the city’s streets and buildings speak for themselves. Parks are filled with a variety of trees in profile. Note the drop shadowed roads, the water rings on the lake, and mellow highlighting of the central business district. Hatching and darker shading support the historical town style. A vignette surrounding the whole map implies that there are additional city outskirts, but the map doesn't compromise scale to try to show it all.

Important steps

Add marker symbol layers to polygon symbols

Draw tree, shrub, and grassy mound symbols in ink on paper. Scan and save as image files. Build a polygon symbol with multiple picture marker layers, one for each image. Adjust clipping, offset, step properties for random distribution. Apply symbol to parks, open spaces.

Bespoke tree sketches

Work with marker symbol layers
Use watercolor fills to add subtle color

Use watercolor symbols image to add color to the background. Make your own symbols from images of your art, or download the watercolor style for ArcGIS Pro.

Watercolor fills
Add waterlines to lakes

Add some waterlines to the interior of lakes to give them a sense of depth.

Work with waterlines
Add a vignette

Add a vignette to the whole map to soften the edges while focusing the area of interest to the center of the city.

Steal these vignettes

Data

City of Waterloo Open Data

City of Waterloo Open Data
Analysis

This map is the result of effective symbology applied directly to raw data.
Time

It took 3 to 5 hours of set up and iteration, and 3 more hours for sketching custom-made images for symbols.

Adjust marker placement properties

When placing trees, shrubs, and grass in polygon symbol, set marker placement to Fill the polygon with Random positioning. Set clipping to Do not clip or Remove if center outside so images will overflow park edges. Vary value of Seed of picture marker layers.

Marker placement properties
Use drop shadows

Add interest and depth to the map by using the Move symbol effect to imply a drop shadow for buildings and roads.

Symbol effects
Study historical plans

Look at historical plans to get a sense of common fonts, capitalization use, title wording and placement.

David Rumsey Map Collection survey plans