GIS 5007L - Module 7: Choropleth Maps

Hello Everyone,

This week was a very interesting week in terms of my lab. Murphys Law was very present in my work this week. This week I was tasked with making a choropleth map. Choropleth maps are maps that utilize color and proportional symbology to show quantities in map variables. For this map, I was tasked with creating a choropleth map of Europe that shows the population density and wine consumption. By the time I got to my final product my map was beyond broken, and I was beyond frustrated. My map can be seen below:

In this map, I used a continuous color ramp from light blue to dark to illustrate the variations in population density across Europe broken into 5 classes and classified using the Quantile method as I thought it would be best for the visualization of population density. For wine consumption, I used graduated symbols in order to show the difference in consumption across Europe also classified by the Quantile method. During this lab, I ran into more problems than I can count. The lab, unfortunately, had to be completed in ArcMap which I find is far inferior to ArcGIS Pro due to label issues. Even after migrating to pro, none of my labels would even load or work properly. Once a new update released for Pro, I attempted to recreate the project but would receive fatal crashes along the way making it impossible. I wanted to make an inset map, but that would not even work in Adobe Illustrator nor ArcMap...Overall this project has been a real challenge and an absolute pain because I am limited by the software I use, but I am reminded that software does not work as we always want it to. I look forward to sharing my next map on Isarithmic Mapping next module, and as always, ~Map On.

GIS 5007L - Module 6: Data Classification

Hello Everyone! 

It's hard to believe that we are at the halfway point of the Spring semester and almost in March of 2019! Time has really flown by since I have started GIS here at the University of West Florida. After a much needed week off to prepare for my 8-week term class finals, this week I came back to hit the ground running with Data Classification. Data classification is when data is taken and combined to create groups that are called classes. These classes are then represented by unique symbols such as color ramps.

In this weeks lab, I was tasked to create two sets of choropleth maps that show the distribution of the population that is 65 years old and older in the Miami Dade area from Census Tract information using four common methods of data classification. The first set of maps was classified by the percentage of the population that is over the age of 65 in each census tract, and the second map series was classified by the number of citizens per census tract that are over the age of 65 and then normalized by the area of square miles to get the density. These classifications can be broken down as follows:

1. Equal Interval - Each class within the data has an equal range. For example, if you have five total classes with 200 data records, each class range would be 40.
2. Quantile - Each class has an equal number of observations within it by equal distribution. If you have 50 data points and you want five classes, each would have 10 points.
3. Standard Deviation - The classification of the data is based on the Standard Deviation bell curve graph with most points falling within the avg of one deviation away from the mean in either direction and fewer point in deviations of 2 or more from the mean.
4. Natural Breaks - Each class in the data is made to be as similar as possible for values, but as unique as possible compared to other classes for illustration distinction.

I believe that the normalized data map set based on the number of citizens over the age of 65 (pictured above) is the better series of maps to use because it shows a better representation of the distribution of senior citizens in the Miami Dade area. The percentage map can be misleading because it is only showing the percentage of the population in each census tract that is above the age of 65 whereas the map of the actual number of senior citizens per census tract normalized by the area illustrates where the heaviest densities of senior citizens are located.

Out of all my assignments so far, this one has to be one of my favorites. Even though it was all created in ArcGIS Pro, I am eager to get back into working with Adobe Illustrator as I have witnessed first hand how much more freedom you have with cartographic design and editing in Illustrator. I look forward to continuing on with an extensive segment on Choropleth maps in next weeks module. In the midst of final exams and cartography, I am grateful for all the encouragement that I have received to keep pushing, to strive for the best maps I can make, and most importantly: to ~Map On!

GIS 50007L - Module 4: Cartographic Design

Hello Everyone! 

This week, the focus of my studies was on Cartographic Design. Cartography design is, in my opinion, one of the most important aspects of Cartography as the map author needs to sit down and gauge their concept of the map at hand and how they want it to be perceived by the intended audience. For a map to be effective and convey the correct message, a cartographer needs to adhere to a set of principles named the Gestalt Principles of Perceptual Organization. These principles ultimately define what a properly organized map looks like and how a map should be created to most effectively reflect the message the map has to convey. Gestalts Principles include Visual Hierarchy, Contrast, Figure Ground, and Balance

This week I was tasked with creating a map of the public school locations in Ward 7 of Washington D.C. For this map I was only given enough information to get me started on the general layout of the map, the rest I had to figure out how I wanted to proceed with while ultimately following the Gestalt Principles. For this map, the data I was provided with included Ward 7 from its area data, to its streets, neighborhoods, and water features. I was also provided with other data from Washington D.C. including its boundary data, US Highways, State Highways, School Locations, Waterbodies, and Parks to name a few. Given the instructions I had and the data I was provided with, this is how my map turned out!

This map was by far one of the most challenging maps for me to create but not for the reasons you might think. I created this map using nothing but ArcGIS Pro and did not even have to open Adobe Illustrator at any point during the project. The real challenge with this map is achieving the wanted result with the information given. The devil is really in the details with this kind of cartography work! Before I get into the principles of map design I was looking to achieve I would first like to hit on how this map came to be. The first thing you might notice about this map is that it is two maps in one as my last map of Marathon, FL. My main map consists of Ward 7, the area of interest, and my inset map (the map at the top left) contains the region of Washington D.C. to give the viewer a reference of the area being studied. 

In order to make this map work the way that I wanted to, I needed to follow the Gestalt Principles. The first on the list is Visual Hierarchy. Visual Hierarchy is how the elements on the map are ranked on the map based on their importance. The hierarchy according to Gestalts principles can be broken down as follows :

1. Thematic Symbols
2. The title, Subtitle, and Legend
3. Base information which can include roads or boundaries or other features.
4. Scale bar and north arrow
5. Data Source and Notes
6. Map Frame/Neat Lines

With these principals in mind, I tried to make the symbology, title, legend, and base info the focus of my map. My symbology is the most important feature on my map which is why it is in the boldest colors within the main map. In order to complement this, I reduced the colors of the other base information such as the D.C. area and other features with lighter less eye-catching neutral colors with the exception of the major transportation routes. For Contrast, I utilized several techniques to help the user distinguish certain features from each other. First, by using three separate colors and sizes for my school symbology, I was able to give the viewer the ease of distinguishing between the three school types on the map. Second, the widths of the road lines show the type of roadway network where the widest is an Interstate, and the narrowest is a neighborhood street. Next is the principle of Figure Ground. This is where the creator wants to make features pop out more on the map than others. In my map, I used this in my study area inset map with the Ward 7 area, and on my school symbology to attempt to make them pop out and catch the eye of the viewer. Finally, and most importantly I was challenged with the principle of balance. To me, balance is the single most important principle in cartographic design. Balance is how all the elements in the map are organized and how they are placed on the layout space. In order for balance to be achieved in my map, I had to decide where to place the inset map, how to arrange the other elements. I chose this orientation with the weight distributed in the top left and bottom right corners so the map would not be too heavy on one side or the other.

This map was a challenge to me for the balance principle. Washington D.C. has one of the most unique geographic and geometric shapes. This ultimately presented a challenge to me when trying to figure out how to map the area and arrange all of my map elements on the page. After this exercise, I understand how challenging map design and detail can be. Since this project had limited instructions I was forced to think and place myself in the mind of my boss who assigned this project to me with limited information. Even in the professional world, we are never guaranteed complete instructions, and I think that Cartography is an amazing way to mold and practice my skills and challenge myself to visualize, sculpt, and map the world differently! 

~Map On! 

GIS 5007L - Module 3: Typography

Hello Everyone!

This week was a rather fun but challenging assignment for me in my Cartography class. For my lab, I was assigned to create a Typography Map! Typography can be described as designing, changing the arrangement of and distinguishing a specific type. A type can consist of anything from a symbol to an individual map element. For this assignment, I was tasked with creating a map that showcased Marathon, Florida. Marathon is a part of the Florida Keys and consists of several Keys to make a larger land feature. For this map, I had to show Marathon as my study area/area of interest. Below you can find the map I created (the image can be clicked to enlarge):

As you can see, this map shows the highlighted area of interest: Marathon, Florida. In the bottom right-hand corner I created a reference map to show the general area of Florida that I am working with (highlighted in purple). To create this map, I used Adobe Illustrator. Within the program, I created the map frame and inset frame to show the two geographic features. Once the geographic features had been added, I labeled the individual keys by using what we call leader lines.

In order to make the map features more easily distinguishable, I added a few custom touches. First, I added a drop shadow to the island of Marathon. I did this to help it pop out from the map and give it some highlight to the map viewer. Second, I used italics to label my water features as well as the blue text color. I did this so that the water features would stand out, making sure that the blue was darker than the Florida Bay background. I made sure to change the size of text used when labeling cities and Keys in order to give them a better visual distinction. Finally, I used custom symbols to help distinguish specific features. These features are visible in the legend. I did this primarily to avoid map feature clutter as well as highlight the features I thought to be important on the map.

Typography in a map may seem like an item of small importance, but it serves its own purpose. The attention to typography details can ultimately make or break a map and give it the look that it needs to not only catch the eye in a specific way but also distinguish itself from other maps. During this lab, I struggled at first. Adobe Illustrator is still a completely new and unknown program for me, but as I work with it, I am starting to see the graphical design and power that comes with it. I look forward to seeing where the continuance of the program takes me, and how I can continue to train my cartographic skills. I look forward to sharing my next chapter of work with you, and as always: ~Map On!

GIS 5007L - Module 2: Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Hello Everyone! 

This weeks lab assignment certainly was interesting and personally tough for me. In this assignment, I was tasked with adding data to ArcGIS Pro and then creating a map. After my map was created, I was tasked with uploading it to ArcGIS Online and then to create a map that would be found in a children's encyclopedia for the state of Florida. To make this map, I had to use the template I created in ArcGIS Pro and ultimately enhance it using Adobe Illustrator. Here is the map I created:

As you can see I tried to keep the layout of my map as simple as I could because the intended audience is going to be an elementary student. In order to create this map, I first took the original template I created with Adobe Illustrator and enhanced it with a few elements. These include the state symbol of Florida and the state flower: the Orange Blossom. I also date and name stamped it so the audience would know I created it. I included a legend with all the corresponding features of the map. This legend was created by hand with the shape tool in Adobe Illustrator and I used the eyedropper tool to ensure that the symbology on the legend matched the symbology of the features on the map. Lastly, I added some labels to point out a few major cities in the state of Florida and the state's capital, Tallahassee. 

This module proved particularly tough for me because this is the first time I have used Adobe Illustrator to make a map layout. All of my previous layouts have been made in Layout view within the ArcGIS Pro application. While I do not understand the practicality of using Adobe Illustrator, I must say I am eager to take on this new medium to enhance the design of my maps and hone my cartographic skills. For those of you that have been actively keeping up with my posts, I thank you for following me through this amazing journey. I look forward to sharing my next chapter of learning with you, and as always, Map On!~

GIS 5007L - Module 1: Map Critique

Hello everyone!

This week I had the pleasure of working on an assignment that covered the 'Principles of Map Design' in my GIS 5007L Cartography Lab Class! In this lab, I was tasked with finding two maps: one that I thought to be well designed, and one that I thought to be poorly designed. In order to assess whether or not a map is well designed or poorly designed, I first had to assess what good principles of map making were. I found that the best principles to grade a map on were: the visual contrast of the map (How do the elements of the map and its features contrast each other?), the legibility of the map (Can the map data be seen easily, but most importantly, can the data be understood by the intended audience?), and finally balance (Are all the map elements organized, and are they organized in a logical way?). Below you will find the two maps I used with their respective evaluations.

Well Designed Map:

Overall, I believe that this map effectively meets the goal that it is trying to achieve and that it conveys the information clearly and concisely. I grade this map as a well-done map as it demonstrates a clear understanding of the data it utilizes. This map also utilizes a visual contrast not only in colors of the variables being mapped, but also in the symbology using a color ramp (with notable breaks) for one variable, and dot size for the other. The map also has good visibility as all the components can easily be seen and distinguished, but it also provides good balance as all the items are evenly spaced and logically organized. I think that this map appeals to my aesthetic for a variety of reasons. First, I believe that using a color ramp vs a dot size for two different variables is a super effective way to contrast your data variables. Secondly, I believe it is crucial that a map creator describes in wordage the intent of the map and the goal that they hope it will achieve such as this one does. Lastly, I strongly believe that all maps should be geometrically clean and chiseled with no hang over or sloppy lines. This map gets a 9.8/10 from me. 

Poorly Designed Map:

While I understand the purpose this map is trying to serve I believe that it does not achieve it in an effective manner. I believe that so much more could have been done to make this map beautiful in terms of the work put in and could have been a much more powerful map with a few edits here and there. I would have to rate this map as a poorly designed map for a few reasons. First, this map has little to no visual contrast. Everything is in a grayscale color pattern and there are no changes of color for different values of the data. Second the map lacks legibility. When looking at this map its almost impossible to distinguish the different circles as they are all the same color and shade. Also, while the map clearly distinguishes between single home and condominium sales, it only does it by adding a second DC area but still uses circular symbols. For this map to be improved, I would do several things differently. First, I would change the symbology for sale price by making unique value-based range dots. This would not only cut down on the clutter and crammed feel of the map but would also give the viewer a detailed color scheme that would be able to show the price ranges of home sales. Secondly, there is no north arrow in this map, so I would additionally add one as well was change the scale bar unit to yards for US unit purposes. Lastly, I would make the borders and titles darker I would also add color to the river and even provide a basemap that has labels of city/town features as well as make sure no features extend beyond the border of DC. This map receives a 3.5/10 from me.

Final thoughts:

Making maps that show a clear and concise message to the intended audience can be challenging at times. Being able to know how a map should look, think about the audience who will be seeing the map, and creating a message to that audience without taking too much from the map or over sharing can be tough in the planning phases of your project. A good way to overcome this is to gather all of the information you can before you even open your mapping software. Being able to design some rough concepts and get feedback on them before publishing a final project can be a huge step towards successful map making. In this assignment lab, it was challenging to grade these maps because without talking to the creator themselves it is nearly impossible to know the factors that influenced their design. Regardless I believe that these two maps show the challenges that come with this trade and what it takes to be an effective cartographer.

Stay tuned for my next post on pairing Adobe Illustrator with ArcGIS Pro, and as always, Map On!

GIS - Cartography - My First Blog Post!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Evan Brown and this is my first ever blog post for my GIS blog at UWF. This is currently my first semester here at UWF and I am pursuing a Masters in GIS Administration. I was born and currently live in Jacksonville, Florida where I attended Jacksonville University to get a degree in both Flute Performance and Geography. I joined the GIS program at UWF because I believe that GIS is one of the most powerful applications of visual representation of data. Ever since I was young, I have always loved creating maps. As of now, my experience in GIS is in the Utilities and Crime Analysis fields. I believe that through UWF I can gain so much more knowledge of GIS and apply it to every day situations. From this program I hope to learn as much as I can about GIS because there is nothing that makes me happier than realizing there are brand new aspects of GIS and applications that have yet to be discovered. When I graduate I want to be able to say that I was there to be able to witness a new discovery in the world of GIS and be at the forefront of mapping exploration. I look forward to sharing my work and progress with all of you. Map on!

To kick things off, here is a link to a story map I created about places that are important to me in Jacksonville, Florida. I hope you enjoy it! https://arcg.is/1zS1vq