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Convention and predictability are strong reasons for maps to be north-oriented. A different orientation increases the cognitive load of using the map, which goe

Convention and predictability are strong reasons for maps to be north-oriented. A different orientation increases the cognitive load of using the map, which goes against its usual design goals. The exception are small hyper-local maps where orienteering by the use of compass, far away points of interest, and the sun are not part of the map's purpose, and reorienting is helpful or aesthetically pleasing because of the shape or layout of the area shown; think shopping malls, amusement parks, or the immediate environs of a point of interest.

dmurray 5y ago
I don't know if it's just "small hyper-local" maps. The standard map of Manhattan, for example, is normally oriented with "uptown" at the top which is about 40°, closer to NE than N. Mainly because it fits on rectangular displays better that way. I understand your points about convention, of course, but the trade-off against convention (or in favour of establishing a new local convention) is perhaps made more often than you think.
- Ekaros 5y ago
  Does same applies for maps of New York City in general? That is those showing larger area than just Manhattan? Manhattan is good example of hyper-local map. Even if area is relatively big. As the city planning leads to such format. That is mostly straight roads going in two directions, where cardinal direction isn't so important for navigation.
  - umanwizard 5y ago
    > Does same applies for maps of New York City in general? That is those showing larger area than just Manhattan? Sometimes, yes. The most iconic example is probably the MTA subway map which is visible in almost all subway cars.
throw0101a 5y ago
> think shopping malls, amusement parks, or the immediate environs of a point of interest. Fire escape maps in buildings. I find this annoying that most are north-up or some other 'typical' convention, where IMHO you want them to be so that things are oriented relative to how the viewer is reading them.
- Freak_NL 5y ago
  This must vary a lot worldwide. I've always seen them with the wall the map is placed on representing 'up', which makes sense when you are looking at in a hallway, because then 'left' on the map is also left in actuality (and 'right' obviously right).
eesmith 5y ago
Humorously, the term "orientation" comes from when Christian Europeans traditionally had Jerusalem - in the east ("orient") - at the top of the map. It wasn't until around the time of Mercator that they started putting North at the top. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160614-maps-have-north-at-the-top-but-it-couldve-been-different https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160614-maps-have-north-...

dmurray 5y ago

I don't know if it's just "small hyper-local" maps. The standard map of Manhattan, for example, is normally oriented with "uptown" at the top which is about 40°, closer to NE than N. Mainly because it fits on rectangular displays better that way. I understand your points about convention, of course, but the trade-off against convention (or in favour of establishing a new local convention) is perhaps made more often than you think.

Ekaros 5y ago
Does same applies for maps of New York City in general? That is those showing larger area than just Manhattan? Manhattan is good example of hyper-local map. Even if area is relatively big. As the city planning leads to such format. That is mostly straight roads going in two directions, where cardinal direction isn't so important for navigation.
- umanwizard 5y ago
  > Does same applies for maps of New York City in general? That is those showing larger area than just Manhattan? Sometimes, yes. The most iconic example is probably the MTA subway map which is visible in almost all subway cars.

throw0101a 5y ago

> think shopping malls, amusement parks, or the immediate environs of a point of interest. Fire escape maps in buildings. I find this annoying that most are north-up or some other 'typical' convention, where IMHO you want them to be so that things are oriented relative to how the viewer is reading them.

Freak_NL 5y ago
This must vary a lot worldwide. I've always seen them with the wall the map is placed on representing 'up', which makes sense when you are looking at in a hallway, because then 'left' on the map is also left in actuality (and 'right' obviously right).

eesmith 5y ago

Humorously, the term "orientation" comes from when Christian Europeans traditionally had Jerusalem - in the east ("orient") - at the top of the map. It wasn't until around the time of Mercator that they started putting North at the top. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160614-maps-have-north-at-the-top-but-it-couldve-been-different https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160614-maps-have-north-...