Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Tabl e 6. 3
Design
guidelines
for
producing
graphical
landmarks
(after [ 26 ] )
Image
Drawing
Sketch
Icon
Symbol
Text
Shop (name)
Shop (type)
Function/name
Visual aspect
level of abstraction
Drawing
Sketch
Icon
Symbol
Text
Image
church
Fig. 6.5 Levels of abstraction in depicting landmarks on a map (after [ 26 ] ). The photograph in the
first panel is CC-BY-2.0 by Flickr user Michiel2005 , modified
Starbucks, etc.) or its type (gas station, pharmacy, bakery, etc.), or the function of
a building (school, church, etc.) or their visual properties (the big red building, the
small wooden shed, etc.). Table 6.3 shows the results of their analysis using several
levels of abstraction (from image to textual description) illustrated in Fig. 6.5 .
The matrix in Table 6.3 highlights the most suitable way of graphically present-
ing a landmark. According to Elias et al. [ 26 ] , a textual description would always be
possible, but is not always adequate. For shops of well known brands, the brand's
icon may be the ideal representation as it will be easily identifiable for most people.
For shop types specifically designed icons or symbols may be used (e.g., a stylized
bank or gas station). Buildings with specific function are often large and may be
at (structurally) prominent locations, thus, showing them in some detail—or at
least their outline—helps in identifying them in the real world. Visual aspects are
best represented directly, i.e., by using a (photographic) image or a drawing that
highlights this visual property. To convey proper names of buildings, a textual label
has to be used.
There has been some research on using photographs for augmenting wayfinding
assistance, which implies the use of landmark-based navigation concepts even
though this is not explicitly discussed. For example, Hirtle and Sorrows [ 37 ]
presented a library finder for the University of Pittsburgh campus. This system
uses a hierarchical approach. It first presents an overview of the campus with the
library indicated and then offers more detailed information on how to get there
(to the building and then within the building). Each of these hierarchy levels is
 
 
 
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