Layout+and+overall+design


 * My suggestion here is that we select a few general layouts that work for us. We should start with an assumption - assume that the page dimensions are somewhere in the 18x14 for single and 18x28 for facing pages. Is this the right size? We must account for binding and magins. [pg]**


 * So, with the usable space we determine, what sorts of layout can we arrive at? What are others atlases doing with respect to complex layout with text, graphics, photographs, and maps. [pg]**


 * And, stylisticly (if that is a word) what sort of elements can we preserve across pages and themes. The use of borders, shading, page numbering, etc.**

Visit http://www.nystromnet.com/ for some ideas on layout and overall design. They are publishers of many different educational map tools. This page, for example, comes from their Junior Geographer Atlas series: [pg]

I like the idea of having consistently place elements, especially for a childs atlas. It helps to have the same type of information in the same pace on every page. Specifically colored side borders (solid or gradient), with colors set by category, with information like an abstract of the page in one and quick facts in the other, maybe a small image or graphic that represents the infomation on that page at the top of the one opposite the title, ie a tree for flora, that visualy reinforces the title. A map of Nevada for that theme on one side and text and imagery on the opposite page. The following image is a sketch of the idea. [Astfgl]

The layout is going to need to be simple but colorful and have a lot of pictures/graphics/3D maps, sort of like National Geographic but with less text. (if that makes sense) The idea of consistency is good but if we try to stay too consistent it may make the atlas boring. (just a consideration) We need to have lots of graphics, pictures, etc. with varying but relatively basic themes i.e. climate, animals, and plants. [Jesse Rodrigue]

I really like the idea about using a small graph or image at the top of the page to support the theme of the page. I also agree that making the atlas too consistent will take away from the child-like quality we are trying to create in our Atlas. A few basic colors combined with a variety of graphics and lots of pictures can really make Astfgl's idea jump out. The Canadian's, tricky people that they are already lead the way in terms of technologically advanced atlas [|Canadian (Internet) Atlas] I know we are not going to build an on-line atlas but there are a couple of cool ideas used in the Canadian site to define things like annual rain fall, types of animals, and plants. Worth a quick look. One thing we should consider is how we define various aspects of our Atlas. For example, titles are going to be important for every subject we define. Using a title like Geographical Composition of Nevada is difficult to pronounce may detour interest. We should consider fun easy to remember titles. [Nathan].

Having graphs, pictures etc. will really help enhance the purpose of each map we are trying to create. I think each page should have a central theme (like climate) and then the graphs and pictures (maybe a photograph supporting this) surrounding it. I also think it would be interesting to put a fun fact about about the theme on each page as well. This fact can be as simple as saying that Nevada averages less than 7 Inches of rain per year. Something like that. This could help to keep the fourth graders more interested. (Cole)

I like the layout shown above, it is similar to the California Water Development Atlas of Pat's, and I found that atlas to represent a flowing layout. I would also have to agree with Cole, he made some valid suggestions about each page having a specific theme. As for the climate page or any page for that matter we could add a graphic such as a water gauge or a ruler to visually show what 7 inches is and in comparison to something the children can relate with such as a pencil. [Gretchen]

I think Gretchen has a great idea there, for precip it would be great if we can use something like the length of a pencil to get across how much 7 inches is, since kids that age don't have an intuitive understanding of inches yet. We will have to come up with some other common objects that are the right height for other places. Saying seven inches dosn't mean anything if they don't know how much rain there is other places. If we can come up with example locations that they might be familiar with like Sacremento, and Lake Tahoe, and then other types of places like a jungle and a forest that they have a concept of and find every day objects like a cat or a table that are the right height we could make a really cool page. [Astfgl]

I agree with Jesse that the atlas should not be too consistant because (like some people mentioned before) in the ADD age the kids will not stay interested. I liked Cole's idea of having a fun fact about the theme on each page, something simple and easy to remember. I like Gretchen's idea as well about using graphics to show what 7 inches is and compare it to what kids relate to. I also think it would be fun (if it is not too difficult) if we could put a cartoon, for instance, on the livestock page, of a group of cows having a converstion on the fun facts about the theme (just an idea). [harmeno]

I think along with the atlas it may be a fun possibity to acompany a small work or coloring book to the atlas. Each theme could have a page in a seperate book that provides hands on interaction with the theme thus reinforcing it and instilling in the minds of our youth that geography is fun, because we all know it is excactly such. I don't think a workbook should be to hard, especially a simple one, but its just another thought in the pool of thoughts. [mike freeman]

I like Mike's ideal about a simple works book that reafirms what was learned in the atlas. I found a paper written by the same people that put together the Oregon State Atlas it may provide some helpful tips for design and layout [|Oregon State Atlas Project] I know pat has the atlas but this article might help clarifiy some of their design techniques [Nathan]

The Geography Standards and Age Groups Back to the The Atlas Pages