The application of a user-centered design framework to a static topographic ski touring map

Abstract

This research fills the cartographic gap in ski touring maps with a new usercentered design (UCD) framework that links the ski tourers’ needs and demands to a new map design. Ski touring is an activity where the recreationists ascend and descend the mountain outside the slopes of ski resorts. Ski tourers use maps for planning, navigating, and reflecting on ski tours. Static maps generally follow a traditional map production process, in which the user is considered but not involved (Darkes, 2017). This research incorporates two UCD approaches of Roth, Ross and MacEachren (2015) and Tsou and Curran (2008) into the production process, resulting in a new UCD framework that leads to a more tailored and user-central end product.The developed approach was applied to create a ski touring map of the Schladming-Dachstein area (Steiermark, Austria). This new UCD framework involves (i) accommodating the needs and demands of the target group through an in-depth literature review, comparing existing ski touring maps and interviewing the target group; (ii) establishing the map’s purpose and design considerations; (iii) designing the map itself; (iv) evaluating the map using a survey by ski tourers, and (v) finalizing the design tailored to the needs and demands for ski touring.The final product of this research is a ski touring map design, where a user-centered design framework was successfully followed. The map design met the needs and demands of the ski tourers determined in this research. This research not only fills the niche market of ski touring maps but can also inspire other cartographers with step-to-step research on user-centered cartographic design for static maps.