Comic Sans, Arial, Calibri, Papyrus…does it matter which fonts you use in your map? Fonts—typefaces—have a powerful impact on the look and feel of a map, and can make the difference between an amateur and a professional document. In this presentation, we will show common pitfalls to avoid with font choice and label design, especially with respect to accessibility and legibility. We will also discuss visual hierarchy, what to look for in a font, and how fonts can have personalities.
Elaine started at USGS as an applied researcher in multi-scale cartography. She is now the National Map Liaison to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.
