Cartifact Teams with Yahoo! to Design New Online Maps

May 18, 2007; 04:04 AM
Cartifact announced today that their map design work is prominently featured in the recently released version of Yahoo! Maps worldwide. The goal of the project was to create a style distinct from other web maps, in both visual appeal and content. Yahoo! officially launched the new map styles on May 16.

The new maps aim to present cartographic information in a useful and attractive format, calling upon contemporary and local conventions as well as time-honored techniques from the rich history of printed maps. A very precise use of color to identify different levels of roads distinguishes Yahoo! Maps from other online maps and helps users make more informed travel decisions.

Cartifact contributed features not found in other online maps. At higher zoom levels, shaded relief conveys a sense of terrain and elevation, while land-cover/vegetation coloring gives a feeling of the natural environment. At city levels, in Manhattan and San Francisco, Cartifact employed color to define neighborhoods. At street levels, the designers added building footprints, labeling selected buildings and color-coding them by use.

The design process spanned nine months, with teams from both companies meeting on location at Yahoo! and Cartifact headquarters. The project first focused on the design elements and later on the engineering and coding requirements. One of the technical challenges of the project was developing a way to deliver rich aesthetic content without hampering online speed.

About Cartifact:

Cartifact, operating in Los Angeles, provides custom maps and cartographic services for clients in private and public sectors worldwide, and develops new mapping technology. Cartifact’s substantial growth since its establishment in 2000 has been fueled by the design and production of high-end print and electronic maps for clients in real estate, finance, and government. More about the company can be found on its web site at www.cartifact.com.

About Yahoo!:

Yahoo! is a leading global internet brand and one of the most trafficked internet destinations worldwide.