The situation is all about how your map will be presented and used:
- Will it be presented in a digital format or will it be printed?
- Will it be hung on a wall, used during a presentation, or taken out into the field?
- Is it a legal document? If so, are there any defined requirements?
All of the preceding points will impact your design.
You may wonder why you would design a map differently if you are going to print it versus publish it digitally. Well, the simple answer is that each has its own limitations. When printing a map, you are limited by the capabilities of your printer. Is it color or just black and white? What sizes will it print? How much memory does it have? It does little good to design a colored 36 inch by 48 inch map with aerial photography if all you have is a small desktop color printer that has only...