Fast Company’s second article has caused a lot of people to fret over whether this (or Beck’s version) is a map or a diagram. In many ways, this semantic debate is a bit of a distraction. What’s more important than design industry pedantry is what the user will be looking for to help them navigate an unfamiliar city. In most cases when your average man in the street (or on the tube) is looking for something to help them travel from A to B they will be thinking of a map of some sort whether this is the ‘correct’ term or not.
It could also be argued that a map is a very particular type of diagram and the term used by Claire Dobbin in the Independent article, ‘diagrammatic map’ is a suitable compromise. But, as a friend of mine pointed out, you don’t find treasure in a diagram!
I happen to be a blind user of transport in and around London and have been asking about the availability and research into such items as tactile maps and the use of haptic technology in enabling those with visual impairments to get an idea of where they are going and with a bit of good luck and a bit of goodwill, to reach their final destination. I’ve had little luck with the people at HS2 in getting some tactile maps or diagrams. Do you have any plans either in simple tactile maps or possibly the use of haptic technology, which would at least enable the visually impaired to get to the para-olympics under their own steam!
Comment by Professor Whitestick — October 20, 2011 @ 11:27 am