Designing and producing maps and graphics that communicate well is challenging. We here often from GIS users that they are rarely afforded the time they wish for map design. Ken will present his ‘Top 10’ cartographic design considerations that the lab employs regularly, whether the project has several months available for design or several minutes. Examples from several of the Lab’s completed and on-going projects will be presented to illustrate cartographic design principles, methods, and work-flow strategies that have been successfully applied in the UO InfoGraphics Lab.