Comparative Area Map

For this weeks lab I made a map of Florida, comparing the area of 4 counties across 3 different projections. There are square mile numbers for each colored county. It is interesting how with different projections, the exact same counties come up with mismatched numbers.

The main idea behind the lab was learning how to convert shape files from one projection to another.

The exercise and lecture is one I was looking forward to, as matching projections is something that I struggle with at work. On multiple occasions I have put my sample plots in North Dakota, when they should have been in Oregon. I have a basic understanding now, and hope to learn more with next weeks continuation.

Histogram

Above is a Histogram for weather stations in Europe. It shows the data (temperature) frequency and variations across the different stations. This graph also makes it easy to spot outliers. As you can see, the majority of the data is in the 2.72-3.34 range. It follows a bell curve for the most part, with an outlier on the upper end of the spectrum.

This was created in ArcMap, using the Histogram tool in the Geostatistical Analyst toolbar.

Typography Lab

For this weeks lab, I made a map of Marathon Island in the Florida Keys. The focus of this exercise was typography, or the layout and design of text. In this case, the text is in the form of labels.

I used CorelDraw exclusively for this map. The symbols and north arrow were from the ESRI symbol fonts, and the inset map was pulled off the internet. I tried to obey the point feature guidelines for my label placements as much as possible. I attempted to make curved text for my water features, but I could not get them to come out right.

CorelDraw continues to be a tortuous experience. It is constantly crashing and freezing, and I also have an issue with the ergonomics of the program. There were lots of things that I wanted to do with this lab, but I had trouble figuring out how.

I did learn that there is a plethora of map symbols to be used with the Font tool. A nice bonus of this exercise was that I learned some geography of the Florida Keys.

Yosemite - Use and modify map and tile package

This week I learned how to create, organize, and share map packages with ArcGIS online. The mapmaking was stuff we had already gone over, so that was fairly easy. I had never made any map packages though, or worked with ArcGIS online. Everything was done exclusively over ArcGIS 10.2 and ArcGIS online. I can see how map packages, as well as ArcGIS online, could be handy tools in the future for sharing maps with large groups.

This map shows climbing spots in the Yosemite Valley.

Aguirre Springs - Optimize a map package

This week I learned how to create, organize, and share map packages with ArcGIS online. The mapmaking was stuff we had already gone over, so that was fairly easy. I had never made any map packages though, or worked with ArcGIS online. Everything was done exclusively over ArcGIS 10.2 and ArcGIS online. I can see how map packages, as well as ArcGIS online, could be handy tools in the future for sharing maps with large groups.

This map shows tree sample points near Aguirre Springs.

GIS Cartography Lab - Map 1

This is a choropleth map of Mexico, with different shades of yellow/orange representing population. This map relied on the symbology and label functions in ArcGIS. I would like to learn how to even out the population numbers in the legend.

GIS Cartography Lab - Map 2

This is my digital elevation map (DEM) of Mexico. It uses raster data, with a range of colors that allow easy viewing of elevation. I think my choice in elevation colors turned out well. In hindsight, I think a color other than blue would have been a better option for the neighboring countries.

GIS Cartography Lab - Map 3

This is a map of Central Mexico. It is a fairly basic map that includes cities with populations of over 1 million, rivers, railroads, and federal highways. There was a lot of work involving symbology and labels on this one, which was quite nice as that is a weak spot of mine in GIS.

Map of schools in Ward 7, Washington DC

For this weeks lab, I made a map of Ward 7 in Washington DC. The purpose of this map is to convey the locations and type of schools within the area. The design process focused heavily on using Visual Hierarchy, balance, contrast, and some of the Gestalt Principals.

I tried to use subtle colors for everything, and even subtler for the features at the bottom of the Visual Hierarchy. I felt that the rose color for Ward 7 and the sand color for DC were a good match. Green and blue for the parks and water were a natural fit. I differentiated the different school types by using color coded small to large schoolhouse symbols.

Managing the empty space was a challenge. The map is in such a odd shape with diamond shaped DC jutting onto the page. I was able to mitigate some of that with my legend and vicinity map. It still feels a little bit off, but I am not entirely sure how to fix it. I think that incorporating a faded Maryland state could fill in some of the space.

While this was all done on ArcGIS, it would be fun to tool around with the map in CorelDraw.

Week 2: CorelDraw map

For this weeks lab I needed to make a map of Florida, with the imaginary goal of having it published in a children's encyclopedia. The GIS side of it was fairly straightforward for me, as it was all still fresh in my head from GIS 4043. For the map illustrating, I used CorelDrawX7. This is a new program to me, and it definitely took me a while to get my bearings and there was a fair bit of struggle. I tried to focus on keeping the map clean and easy on the eyes. I also tried to stick with consistent themes on my colors.

Week 2 - Own Your Map

This weeks assignment involved making a map and Florida and Escambia Count, through the use of multiple data frames. I did have some trouble with the pan tool in layout view, one misplaced click and my map jumped around. It was interesting to learn more about changing symbols, as well as the metadata.

Map Critique - The Good

source: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/gis/manual/style/union_square_map_compilation.pdf

I feel that this map does a very good job with presenting information in a neat and clean format. The cartographer did well with their color choices; the transit routes, which seem to be the primary focus of this map, are marked using prominent colors. They convey the message while still being easy to look at. The topographic lines and aerial photography are subtler, yet still pop enough to do their job. I suppose that what I just mentioned could be classified under the 1^st, 4^th, and 5^th Commandments. 

Map Critique - The Bad

source: http://io9.com/a-collection-of-very-strange-maps-479288345

Just looking at this map makes me cringe. For starters, the relative size of the map compared to the background is terrible. When I first looked at the map, it took a few moments to figure out what in the world I was actually looking at. A lot of that could be I don’t speak Dutch, but it doesn’t change the face that it hurts my eyes. It has a few 6 Commandment violations, namely: #4 Minimize Map Crap and #5 Map Layout matters. From doing a little research, it seems that this map was made as a political and social parody “cartoon”, similar to what you could find in the New York Times today.

My story map

http://bit.ly/1xXffh4

Week 1 map

This is my map for week one. The majority of the tasks fell within my limited GIS skill-set, but I was able to learn a few things. I found it difficult to learn all the ins and outs of online learning, but I am feeling fairly confident in the process now!