Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The
Metropolitan World Atlas
utilizes
various weights of Akkurat, designed by
Laurenz Brunner in 2004, as the primary type
family. This highly legible, sans serif type
family enables easy, unencumbered reading,
and its friendly image urges readers into
statistical information without trepidation.
In contrast to complex content, the design
of the atlas design exhibits restraint, taking
on the responsible and critical task of clearly
presenting the information without the use
of unnecessary decorative devices. The cover
invites readers to enter the content by means
of a generic map printed in orange Day-Glo
ink. This map corresponds to the scale of
maps found throughout the atlas, becoming
a part of the entire system. The orange color
functions throughout the topic to signify
population distribution and the intensity of
other statistical values. The back cover readily
identifies the 101 featured metropolitan areas
as a continuous list (Figs.
10-35
and
10-36
).
Front and back end sheets and paste-
downs provide at-a-glance maps of the
globe that pinpoint locations of the major
metropolitan areas. Serving as a visual index,
page numbers attached to these areas indicate
where they can be found in the pages of the
atlas. Along with organizing the content
alphabetically, this device helps readers find
their way in the atlas (Fig.
10-37
).
After the introduction, a section presents
global (and historical) statistics, such as “The
world's 10 largest cities through the ages,” and
“The world's 25 largest seaports” (Fig.
10-38
).
10-36
10-38
Introductory pages present lists of
metropolitan areas having the most significant
global impact in terms of the size of population,
seaports, airports, and telecom ports. These criteria
determined the final selection of 101 metropolitan
areas. Grootens finds these lists to have “a poetry of
t hei r ow n.”
