yleiskuvapolut

Yleiskuvapolut is a Finnish term used in information design and cartography to describe high-level visual pathways that connect the principal elements of a system, map, or diagram. The concept centers on clarity and overview, reducing detail to emphasize major routes, flows, or relationships. The word is a composite of yleis (general/overview), kuva (image), and polut (paths). In practice, yleiskuvapolut appear as schematic line networks or arrows that illustrate how key components relate, without depicting every intermediate step.

Applications include cartography (particularly small-scale or regional overview maps), urban planning (schematic transport or district connections), and information visualization (high-level user journeys or data flows). In cartography, they help maintain legibility by generalizing routes and limiting symbol variety; in design they aid stakeholders in understanding overall navigation or process structure.

Methods involve simplification and generalization techniques, decisions about scale, color and line weight, and layering to allow toggling between overview and detail. Accessibility concerns include ensuring sufficient contrast and avoiding misleading abstractions.

Limitations include the risk of oversimplification or misinterpretation if important details are omitted. When used thoughtfully, yleiskuvapolut provide a concise, legible representation of complex systems.

See also: yleiskaava, kartografia, visuaalinen viestint, tilarakenne.