semiotics in mapping and emergency response
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for the Semiotics Web and Information Architecture meetup at New York Public Library discusses symbology in mapping as an aspect of semiotics; gives an example of emergency response map symbology and discussion of applications for first responders and broader uses.TRANSCRIPT
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Semiotics, Mapping and Emergencies
Signs, Symbols and Information Architecture
Noreen WhyselNew York Public Library, Morningside BranchNovember 1, 2014
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Mapping Symbology
Features of the real world symbolized on maps as:
Points Lines Areas
Source: Semiotics. GIS Wiki. http://gis.com/wiki/index.php/Semiotics/
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Geographic Information Systems
Cartographic symbols represent
Direction Location Distance Function
Source: Semiotics. GIS Wiki. http://gis.com/wiki/index.php/Semiotics/
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3 Branches of Semiotics
Syntax: Relation between objects on a map and the real world.
Semantics: Relation between objects on a map and the data they represent.
Pragmatics: Relation between the objects and the person viewing the map.
Source: Semiotics. GIS Wiki. http://gis.com/wiki/index.php/Semiotics/
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Syntax
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Semantics
Blue Rivers and Bodies of Water
Compass Rose pointingNorth
Distance gauge
Identifying Labels
Population Areas
Source: 1869 Kitchen - Shannon Map of New York City. Geographicus.
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Source: Massimo Vignelli’s Iconic 1972 NYC Subway Map http://cdn8.openculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/vignelli-subway-map-19721.jpg
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Pragmatics
How the map user responds to the map symbology.
Context
Mental Model
e.g., Wayfinding
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Pragmatics
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Semiology of Graphics
Jacques Bertin. Semiology of Graphics. 1967.
Monosemic: “A system is monosemic when the meaning of each sign is known prior to observation of the collection of signs.”[citation needed] An example of a monosemic sign is a mathematical problem, a painting, or a map.
Monosemic is when the meaning of a sign was understood beforehand (Google map)
Source: Semiotics. GIS Wiki. http://gis.com/wiki/index.php/Semiotics/
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Semiology of Graphics
Jacques Bertin. Semiology of Graphics. 1967.
Polysemic: “A system is polysemic when the meaning of the individual signs follows and is deduced from considerations of the collection of signs.”[citation needed]An example of polysemic is a an abstract painting or a verbal expression.
Polysemic is when the sign is better understood after studying the sign (Yelp Monocle or Massimo’s subway map, unusual orientations).
Source: Semiotics. GIS Wiki. http://gis.com/wiki/index.php/Semiotics/
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Semiotics and Emergency Response
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RED
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Source: Colours in Cultures. Information is Beautiful
AngerDangerHeat
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Good LuckLovePassionSuccess
Source: Colours in Cultures. Information is Beautiful.
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Emergency Response Symbology
Points Hospitals and first aid stations Police and first responder stations Call boxes Fire hydrants, standpipes Points of entrance and egress
Lines Evacuation routes, major roads and intersections
Areas Flood zones, Disaster areas, Quarantine zones
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Emergency Response Symbology
Source: FDNY. http://events.esri.com/conference/sagList/?fa=Detail&SID=1845#
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Standard Symbol for Emergency?
Symbol sets support Common Operating Picture
United States Department of Homeland Security
Canada EMS, Influenced by HSWG - Homeland Security Working Group (ANSI INCITIS 415-2006
and the related mil spec: MIL-STD 2525C) CAP-CP - Canadian Profile of the Common Alerting Protocol NIDM - Canadian National Infrastructure Data Model (which was
heavily influenced by the US-Canada Cross-Border Infrastructure Plan)
There are no standard symbol sets for emergency response.
Source: Symbology. GIS Wiki. http://wiki.gis.com/wiki/index.php/Symbology
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Canada EMS
Funded by GeoConnections
Supports emergencymanagement applications
national Multi-Agency Situation Awareness Systems (MASAS)
Targets web applicationsbut can be used with desktop appliations
Source: Symbology. GIS Wiki. http://wiki.gis.com/wiki/index.php/Symbology
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U.S. Standard Symbol Set
Partners: Department of Homeland Security Pennsylvania State University GeoVISTA Center
Deliverables: Distributed, collaborative process and toolset Web-based Symbology service
Source: US Dept of Homeland Security, http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/index.html
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Distributed Process and Toolkit
1. A distributed, collaborative web based process and toolset that allow users to:
Review their existing symbology Identify missing, redundant, ambiguous symbols Identify poor symbol labels and definitions Develop logical symbol categories
Source: US Dept of Homeland Security, http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/index.html
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Web-Based Symbology Service
SymbolStore.com
Find relevant symbols using keyword search
Review available symbols along with metadata such as: symbol name and description; where they are used (what organizations); are they part of a standard; etc.
Preview symbols on different scale maps
Select and download symbols
Publish symbols and symbol libraries to the Symbol Store
Source: US Dept of Homeland Security, http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/index.html
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Web-Based Symbology Service
SymbolStore Prototype
ANSI 415-2006 (FGDC HSWG) HSIP FEMA DHS NPPD
Source: US Dept of Homeland Security, http://www.fgdc.gov/HSWG/index.html
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SymbolStore
Source: SymbolStore. http://www.symbolstore.com
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Thanks!
Noreen Y. Whysel
@nwhysel
http://www.whysel.com
Information Architecture Institute (iainstitute.org)
GISMO (gismonyc.org)
IDESG (idecosystem.org)
OWASP KBA Project (owasp.org)