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The presented study aims to examine the process of preattentive processing of dynamic point symbols used in cartographic symbology. More specifically, we explore different motion types of geometric symbols on a map together with various motion velocity distribution scales. The main hypothesis is that, in specific cases, motion velocity of dynamic point symbols is the feature that could be perceived preattentively on a map. In a controlled laboratory experiment, with 103 participants and eye tracking methods, we used administrative border maps with animated symbols. Participants’ task was to find and precisely identify the fastest changing symbol. It turned out that not every type of motion could be perceived preattentively even though the motion distribution scale did not change. The same applied to symbols’ shape. Eye movement analysis revealed that successful detection was closely related to the fixation on the target after initial preattentive vision. This confirms a significant role of the motion velocity distribution and the usage of symbols’ shape in cartographic design of animated maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celem rozważań było podsumowanie wiedzy dotyczącej projektowania dynamicznych opracowań przestrzennych oraz ich klasyfi kacja ze względu na ilość zmiennych grafi cznych oraz dynamicznych, które mogą zostać użyte w procesie geowizualizacji. Zróżnicowanie ilości zmiennych grafi cznych i dynamicznych w przestrzennych wizualizacjach autor proponuje nazywać pojemnością wizualną prezentacji. Autor stawia również hipotezę, że im większą pojemność wizualną stosujemy tym bardziej sugestywne musi być to przestawienie, aby efektywność przekazywania informacji była zachowana

Cartographic communication of quantitative data is based on the implementation of specific visual variables which can be scalable (e.g., size, color value, texture spacing) (Bertin, 1983). However, the development of animation in cartographic design allowed the utilization of dynamic point symbols as well (Lai & Yeh, 2004; Xiaofang et al., 2005). Dynamic point symbols are considered as traditional qualitative variables (Blok, 2005) with the additional use of animation technique (DiBiase et al., 1992). Thanks to continuous animated change of e.g., orientation of the cartographic symbol, it is possible to present quantitative data. It opened new possibilities for visual variables to become a factor in quantitative communication. Adding the motion to some qualitative variables (e.g., orientation, shape) enabled the development of so-called dynamic point symbols. Some of them have been the subject of empirical research in terms of their effectiveness during the execution of typical map tasks (Cybulski & Wielebski, 2019). Nevertheless, visual search is sensitive to the velocity of motion of dynamic point symbols. The differences in motion velocity between specific point symbols could be a potential factor for effective and efficient communication processes during map reading tasks. Additionally, the velocity of motion is a preattentive feature (Hohnsbein & Mateeff, 1998). It means that, during map reading, dynamic point symbol identification takes place rapidly, almost automatically, without focused attention (Treisman & Gelade, 1980). Therefore, the optimal distribution of motion velocity is significant for preattentive processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main focus of this paper is the effectiveness of dynamic point symbols in the presentation of quantitative data. Such symbols are of particular use in the design of animated maps and computer games. The authors examine three existing techniques of using dynamic point symbols to present quantitative data: blinking, pulsation, and rotation. The aim of the study is to compare their effectiveness with that of classical cartographic animation techniques. The results of the study show that in animated map design, dynamic point symbols might be used to present not only qualitative but also quantitative data with comparable effectiveness. The results may serve as the basis for designing dynamic point symbols to be as effective as the classical techniques used in animated cartography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarizes the Special Issue of "Multimedia Cartography". We present three main research fields in which multimedia cartography and the study of the effectiveness of multimedia maps are currently taking place. In each of these fields, we describe how published research is embedded in the broader context of map design and user studies. The research refers to contemporary technological trends such as web HTML5 standards, virtual reality, eye tracking, or 3D printing. Efficiency, performance, and usability studies of multimedia maps were also included. The research published in this issue is interdisciplinary. They combine traditional mapping methods with new technologies. They are searching for new places for cartography in, e.g., the environment of computer games. They combine the design of the map with its perception by users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this article was to determine the effectiveness of a web map GUI (Graphical User Interface) layout designed specifically for desktop monitors and smartphones. A suitable design of buttons for the graphical user interface is vital for the effectiveness of web maps. This article presents a study of three rules that prevail in GUI map design in terms of responsiveness, which was analyzed on two devices: a smartphone and a PC screen. The GUI effectiveness study, based on six variants of web maps, was conducted by means of eye-tracking on a group of 120 participants. An additional goal was to find an index (based on eye movements, mouse tracking, and time) that would be assessing the effectiveness of the GUI layout on both devices. The main motivation for conducting the research described in the article was the desire to find a synthetic measure based on more than one factor (time) in the context of determining the effectiveness of the GUI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem discussed in this research is connected with the functionality of the graphical user interface (GUI) of global web mapping services displayed on different devices. Displaying a mapping service on devices with diverse display screen size causes the adaptation of the graphical user interface to the size of the screen. This adaptation is the result of the responsive design technique which enables one to display the same web content on different devices. Eight global web mapping services: Google Maps, Bing Maps, OpenStreetMap (OSM), Baidu Maps, Yandex Maps, 2GIS, MapQuest, and HERE WeGo, constituted the source of the data. All of them were displayed on four display screens: the monitor of a personal computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone in order to compare the similarities in the adaptation of GUI, its functions and map content. The aim of the research conducted was to find different solutions for displaying GUI of the same mapping service on diverse display screens of various devices and to track which functions are the most common and how they differ in terms of graphics. Methodology of the research is based on the comparative analysis of eight global web mapping services in terms of the number of GUI buttons, their layout, graphic style, the map functionality, and map content displayed on four devices of different display screen size. The results showed that most of the global web mapping services adapt to the device and their way of use. Some of them are also responsive in the context of external conditions. Interestingly, the adaptation between the PC monitor, laptop and tablet occurs only by changing the size of GUI buttons, other functions remaining the same. Only in the case of smartphones GUI adapts to the size of the device, the number of buttons decreases and their layout changes, new functionality is available (e.g. day/night mode), and the map content is more generalized. On that basis, authors concluded that GUI of global map services constituted a good example of responsive web design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]