mapmaking patterns

The label of an areal feature should fill the shape while maintaining a consistent visual hierarchy with respect to the size and style of the typeface. This may be complicated in various ways. Sometimes the label is short and the shape is large (‘Texas’). Sometimes the label is long and the shape skinny (‘Mississippi’). Sometimes the label is one and the shape is two (‘Michigan’).

When labeling areal features, manipulate the spacing and orientation of the text so that it fills the shape of the feature while preserving the typeface style. For the ‘Texas’ problem, increase the spacing between the letters. For the ‘Mississippi’ problem, curve the label. For the ‘Michigan’ problem, curve the label so that it crosses both parts of the state.