Map design and layout

MECHANICS OF MAP CONSTRUCTION 
A good map should not only be well designed, it should be well drawn also. Drawing 
or drafting of maps whether manually, mechanically or with the help of computers fequires 
some artistic skills. And artistic skills can be acquired only by regular and patient practice. 
Those who do not have patience cannot become good cartographers. Apart from patience and 
practice they must be conversant with different computer programmes which help in creating 
maps. New programmes are being developed ultimately leading virtual maps. Satellite 
imageries are now available for countries, state/provinces, districts, cities, villages and even 
streets and houses. All one needs to do is to apply computer programmes to list the relevant 
details available on Google, etc. and transform them into good maps.
DRAWING MATERIALS 
1. Drawing Surface 
2. Ink 
3. Pencil 
Map construction, This is still being used in places where the use of computers is not 
yet prevalent. lrrespective of how a map is made, the paper on which it is being made or 
printed should be of good quality. Poor quality papers shrink with change in weather. This 
leads to change in scale too. If the map is drawn on a scale of 1 cm to 4 km, its reduction into 
half will change the scale to 1 cm to 8 km. But if the original drawing of the map shrunk or 
expanded, the reduction of the size of the map to half will not give the Scale of 1 cm = 8 km.

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While drawing a map by hand, one should know that the quality of the paper on 
Which a map is drawn determines its capacity to take ink. The soft and porous papers soak 
ink and diffuse it through fibers. Good quality drawing sheets hold on the ink to give a sharp 
image. If the surface of the paper is rough the drawing on it would not be smooth. This 
applied to drawing by computers too. The surface of the paper should smooth and strong 
enough to take erasing. 
The Indian ink used in original drawings by hand is a permanent suspension of fine 
carbon in a liquid medium. It dries dense black which is very important for reproduction and 
is waterproof. While using this ink, it should be kept in mind that awing surfaces easily pick 
up oily substances from the hand. The ink will not hold to the oily surface. The ink used 
should be absolutely opaque black. If the drawing is to be reproduced photographically, white 
opaque paint or ink can be used for corrections. This should not, however, be done on 
drawings which are to be used for direct contact printing.