Map Enhancers or Map Monsters: Do cartographic embellishment choices matter for teaching in higher education?

Technological and data progress has significantly increased our ability to create and use maps as educational resources across disciplines. While it is now possible to develop maps easily without much thought, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about our cartographic design choices. This work looks at the aspect of chart junk, or graphic embellishments (via symbols, pictures, icons) on maps. A randomised control study of students was used to collect data preferences and whether chart junk is seen as auxiliary design or superfluous ornamentation. Data on information recall from a series of treatment control trials is collected and analysed alongside open-ended preference discussions.