Map User’s Feedback

Map user’s feedback is helpful to the map author in that it allows him to alter the design by incorporating changes suggested by the map user. Unfortunately, most cartographic designers are separated from users by time and space, so it is difficult to make use of such feedback.

User should also describe how the map will be used. Legibility requirements for road maps to be used in a moving car must be higher than for a map to be viewed in stable conditions. Maps to be used at night in boats, ships, and aircrafts must be usable in dim conditions so that night vision will not be greatly affected by bright illumination. A map on a wall being viewed by an audience seated at desks will require a different treatment of graphic character than a map of the same sort in a textbook on the desk. If you are not sure about the "map user feedback"a good question which is necessary to be answered before continuing is: "have I well understood the needs of the map user"? If the answer is negative, you should discuss the map user again, or have a look back at the unit "map types" to get more information about the different map types.

It is also still necessary to pay attention to ethical questions regarding map making. Indeed, a map should never contain purposeful errors (lies) or poor judgement, even if the map client asks for it.