Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations
All human communication involves the use of signs. By following a mutually shared set of signs and rules, meaning can be conveyed from one entity to another. Cartographic semiology provides such a theoretical framework, suggesting how to apply visual variables with respect to thematic content. Howev...
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doaj-76e512111e2447c99dec7603515479ad2020-11-25T01:13:40ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642019-05-018521710.3390/ijgi8050217ijgi8050217Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic RepresentationsSilvia Klettner0Research Division Cartography, Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, AustriaAll human communication involves the use of signs. By following a mutually shared set of signs and rules, meaning can be conveyed from one entity to another. Cartographic semiology provides such a theoretical framework, suggesting how to apply visual variables with respect to thematic content. However, semiotics does not address how the choice and composition of such visual variables may lead to different connotations, interpretations, or judgments. The research herein aimed to identify perceived similarities between geometric shape symbols as well as strategies and processes underlying these similarity judgments. Based on a user study with 38 participants, the (dis)similarities of a set of 12 basic geometric shapes (e.g., circle, triangle, square) were examined. Findings from cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster configuration, while multidimensional scaling further quantified the proximities between the geometric shapes in a two-dimensional space. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses identified four strategies underlying the participants’ similarity judgments, namely visual, affective, associative, and behavioral strategies. With the findings combined, this research provides a differentiated perspective on shape proximities, cognitive relations, and the processes involved.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/8/5/217visual communicationcartographysemioticsgeometric shapethematic maps |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Silvia Klettner |
spellingShingle |
Silvia Klettner Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information visual communication cartography semiotics geometric shape thematic maps |
author_facet |
Silvia Klettner |
author_sort |
Silvia Klettner |
title |
Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations |
title_short |
Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations |
title_full |
Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations |
title_fullStr |
Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations |
title_full_unstemmed |
Why Shape Matters—On the Inherent Qualities of Geometric Shapes for Cartographic Representations |
title_sort |
why shape matters—on the inherent qualities of geometric shapes for cartographic representations |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |
issn |
2220-9964 |
publishDate |
2019-05-01 |
description |
All human communication involves the use of signs. By following a mutually shared set of signs and rules, meaning can be conveyed from one entity to another. Cartographic semiology provides such a theoretical framework, suggesting how to apply visual variables with respect to thematic content. However, semiotics does not address how the choice and composition of such visual variables may lead to different connotations, interpretations, or judgments. The research herein aimed to identify perceived similarities between geometric shape symbols as well as strategies and processes underlying these similarity judgments. Based on a user study with 38 participants, the (dis)similarities of a set of 12 basic geometric shapes (e.g., circle, triangle, square) were examined. Findings from cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster configuration, while multidimensional scaling further quantified the proximities between the geometric shapes in a two-dimensional space. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses identified four strategies underlying the participants’ similarity judgments, namely visual, affective, associative, and behavioral strategies. With the findings combined, this research provides a differentiated perspective on shape proximities, cognitive relations, and the processes involved. |
topic |
visual communication cartography semiotics geometric shape thematic maps |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/8/5/217 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT silviaklettner whyshapemattersontheinherentqualitiesofgeometricshapesforcartographicrepresentations |
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