Navigating the Map
Floor Selector
What Problem Does This Solve? User needs to select a floor/level in a 2-dimensional indoor map. Why Use This Pattern? Indoor maps are inherently 3-dimensional in that they usually include multiple floors or levels. When displaying a planar (2D) map users do not know which level they are looking at or how to select a […]
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Exploring Spatial Content
Small Multiples
What Problem Does This Solve? Comparing changes, patterns or differences in data is difficult to impossible with interactive controls on a single map view. Why Use This Pattern? Small Multiples is sometimes also called trellis maps or tile maps. It is a series of similar maps using the same size and scale, allowing them to […]
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Special Workflows
Offline Maps
What Problem Does This Solve? User needs access to data in areas where internet is slow, mobile data is expensive, or user cannot get online. When to Use This Pattern Offline Maps is a great method for providing a means of navigation and getting driving directions while offline or in a foreign country. Limitations of […]
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Interacting with Content
Layer List
What Problem Does This Solve? Users need to show or hide map content When to Use This Pattern The best use of the Layer List is to empower users to “opt-in” showing additional information like traffic data, parcel boundaries, or elevation models and tweak the map display until the desired amount and level of content […]
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Why Map UI Patterns?
This site provides a language for planning and building map applications. It discusses principles, components of varying complexity, and features that all together inform design decisions for your next project. The elements of this language are entities called user interface (UI) patterns. Each pattern describes a solution to an observed and recurring problem. It explains […]
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Special Workflows
Search & Edit
What Problem Does This Solve? Users need to quickly update or modify an existing record. When to Use This Pattern Use to assist editors in finding the feature, object, or record that needs to be updated. Editors may be operators receiving phone calls from customers or subscribers requesting updates to their accounts, or field crews […]
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Special Workflows
List & Details
What Problem Does This Solve? User needs to see the details for an item selected from a list. Why Use This Pattern? A list is a form of data table that presents data for a large set of items. This is a common need for enterprise applications to show lists of clients, assets, activities with […]
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Special Workflows
Meet in the Middle
What Problem Does This Solve? Find the route halfway point between two or more locations. When to Use This Pattern If there is a need to meet-up with somebody (friend, business contact, barter acquaintance) it is helpful to calculate the perfect middle point based on two or more starting locations. What’s the Solution? Enter the […]
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Special Workflows
Route Directions
What Problem Does This Solve? Provide instructions and guidance on how to get somewhere. When to Use This Pattern Directions are common to travel applications and store locators, in short any application that needs to route somebody (from and) to a specific place. What’s the Solution? The following types of directions exist: Map (visual route) List […]
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Special Workflows
Route Positioning
What Problem Does This Solve? Provide methods for a user to define the start and end point of the route and sometimes even additional locations. When to Use This Pattern Use when stops necessary to calculate the route require input from the user, i.e. they are not predefined or detected via technical solutions used for […]
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