11 replies to this topic

[jamierob]

Hi Cartotalk-

I was looking around to see if there was a thread concerning favorite typefaces used for hydrography, and didn't run across one. So, what's your favorite typeface that you use for hydrography? do you have an example? Why do you like it? I've always thought that the typeface that National Geographic uses for hydro is good, but i think that might be a product of the impression I have from their maps in general. I also adore the NPS maps, which use Frutiger, a sans-serif typeface, for hydro. Looking for some reasons why certain typefaces are selected over others.

Thanks!

[SaultDon]

I like frutiger.

I tend to use Palatino Linotype for hydrography.

I think I tend to use it because it was recommended when I was just starting to learn about cartography and the use of fonts and its stuck ever since.

[David Medeiros]

I've used frutiger, optima, adobe garamond pro and myriad pro for hydro features. I tend to use optima or frutiger for large body of water labels and stick to sans serifs for rivers and lakes (set to italics and usually in blue). Cartographic convention aside, I'm not a fan of serif fonts for water line features but that's just because it doesn't look right on most of my maps.

Curious to see what others use.

[Gretchen Peterson]

Lucida Sans has a nice italic version that's similar to calligraphy. I've used it to label the bays on a map that had lots of different water features. Delicious by Jos Buivenga also has an exquisite true italic.

[Charles Syrett]

You may want to check out some existing threads: Cartographic Fonts, Sans Serif vs Serif, and Type Fonts For Cartography. There may be others.

I usually prefer serif italic faces for natural features, because the serifs help the eye to follow the flow of the name. Most often, I use Cheltenham and Goudy, but I've also used Century Schoolbook (commonly used on topo maps in both Canada and the US), Times (used in ancient days in the Ontario government, where I started my career), and sometimes sans serifs such as Myriad and Helvetica.

Charles Syrett
Map Graphics
http://www.mapgraphics.com

[sitesatlas]

I like serif italic fonts for natural features as well and Georgia is usually my first choice.

TypeBrewer is a great site to compare how different fonts look on a map; Gretchen has a PDF booklet on this subject as well.

[natcase]

I usually use a serif font, unless there are only a bare handful of labeled hydro features, and then I just go with an italic in whatever font I'm using otherwise. Usually. It depends on whether the hydro is a central feature (On a tourist map of downtown Minneapolis, the Mississippi River is a Major Feature, but on a map of bus lines or parking in downtown Minneapolis, it's not especially important except as a landmark).

Minion and Sabon are nice and clear serif italics, and I've used both a lot. I love Kennerly for sheer elegance, and Bembo and Cochin were my first favorites, but they're not quite as legible need lots of space around them and a little extra letterspacing sure doesn't hurt. Truthfully, letterspacing never hurts with serif italics when they're on a curve.

[Jacques Gélinas]

You might want to look up the FONTIN font. Its freely available and IMO the Italic is really nice for Hydro.

[jamierob]

Thanks Everyone! I've got a lot to work with here. I appreciate your input.

[Dennis McClendon]

Though I very much like Palatino, the italic is a bit too calligraphic for my tastes on an otherwise modern map. Minion, which is pretty widely available, is a good compromise.

[tom harrison]

I kind of like Cisalpin.

[MapMedia]

Sabon to complement sans serif set for manmade features.