GIS3015 - Module 3 - Typography

Marathon, FL

In Module 3 we were tasked with creating a map of Marathon, Florida.  Using a data set from Module 2 we focused on the Florida Keys.   The original basic map was created in ArcMap and then exported into Adobe Illustrator (AI).  This module required extensive use of different typography.  The assignment was to label various water bodies, Key names, an airport, point of interest, neighborhood, and two cities.  After Module 2, I felt slightly comfortable navigating AI.  First, I focused on setting up my Layers and configuring them to display properly.   Second, I planned the layout of the map; horizontal orientation and general color scheme and location of main items such as inset map and Keys/scale group and essential map elements.  Finally, I spent lots of time labeling and editing the text and map features to ensure the map could be easily interpreted.  I was frustrated several times in this lab due to my lack of knowledge of AI and the level of detail I felt this lab assignment required.   I did figure out that I could Edit Colors and change artwork colors more easily for multiple layers and features by using that menu option.  I also used items under the Effects menu to alter my text and features; especially different warping options.   I became more familiar with the Appearance window but am still taking way too long to figure out how to make the changes I want.   Using the Select Menu and Same Option helped me some.  I need to understand stroke and fill more in depth as I would like to easily have different fill options like I can in ArcMap.   I find coloring features is easier in ArcMap but only because the process is much simpler; i.e. much less time.   I understand AI has many more features I must discover and become proficient in.

For this lab some of the customizations I made to the map were: 

1.   Use of a drop shadow around the map extent that encompassed the different Keys.   I needed to group all of the Keys visually together in some way.

2.   It took me a while to realize how to denote the cities of Key Colony Beach and Marathon.  I changed the opacity/saturation of Key Colony Beach to show that it was a separate city from all of the other Keys.

3.   The City of Marathon encompasses multiple Keys.  In order to depict the extensive area the city covered, I edited the color of the features located within the city's boundaries.

I wasn't sure if I should label Key Colony Beach with a text box or not, so I chose to.   I also had difficulty placing a leader line in my inset map for Florida Bay.   I am sure it was "hiding" somehow, but I could not figure it out.  I also could not figure out how to create a "halo".   This is due to my lack of understanding of Fill/Stroke.  I had wanted to place halos around the text for the Airport and the Country Club.  I would have rather not have changed the color of the City of Marathon.   Instead I wanted to modify this boundary somehow using Fill/Stroke so the color would stay the same as Duck Key and the Neatline Border.   I could not figure out how to put stripes or dots or a gradient somehow on the City of Marathon so I had to change the color.

This lab was much more difficult than it appeared simply because of the time involved. I am having difficulty weighing the amount of time to spend making aesthetic changes.  Despite the frustrations, I enjoy seeing my finished product and each lab makes me appreciate the amount of time and detail that is required for an effective map.

GIS4043 - Week 3 - GIS Cartography

Maps of Mexico

The GIS Cartography lab really helped me start to feel more confident in navigating ArcMap.  In this lab we were tasked with creating three maps.  Figure 1 is a map of Mexico.  This map identifies individual Mexican states with name labels and displays the population sizes of the states by using a gradient color scheme for population ranges.  Countries bordering Mexico are also displayed and identified but are not the focus of the map.  In order to only view the individual Mexican states, we were required to create a data subset, Mexican States, and then export this subset to create a new shapefile.  Editing the population ranges displayed in the Legend was another new task to learn.  I used the data shown in the Attribute table to help determine the "rounded" ranges.  I also watched a video to help me better understand Frame lines versus Neat lines.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzscI_JhZgI

Figure 1: Map of Mexican States

With Figure 2 we take a closer look at Central Mexico.  I became more familiar with correctly using Data View and Layout View to display the features I wanted to emphasize.  We added layers to this closeup perspective (rivers, roads, and railways).  De-cluttering the map was an important assignment.  Creating layer groups within the Table of Contents also kept this map organized.  We used data information from the Attribute table to display certain subsets of the Surface Water layer and population data.  The Central Mexico map highlights urban areas with populations greater than 1 million people.  This task was performed by creating a new "class" label.  Discovering editing methods in the Symbology tab was an important element to creating this map.   There are different symbol libraries to choose unique symbol styles to display in Legends and on the map.  Instead of displaying feature labels we converted these labels to annotations, enabling us to edit these text boxes more effectively in the Data View.  An inset map was also placed on the page to provide reference/context to the location we were describing.   Using Extent Indicators I created a border indicating the location within Mexico.  I also edited the Placement of the country name label in the inset map from "horizontal" to "straight".  Working with two data frames was a new concept.   

Figure 2: Map of Urban Areas in Central Mexico

Lastly, Figure 3 presents the topography of Mexico.  A sequential color scheme was selected to highlight the ranked elevation data.   This was my first time working with raster data.  I selected a color ramp that would show a clear contrast in elevation levels.  The spectrum I chose enables the map audience to clearly see the highest elevation areas as well as valleys and coastlines.  The appearance of raster data sets can be enhanced by "stretching" or "classifying" the data.  My map used a stretched symbology scheme to modify the brightness, contrast, and gamma properties of the raster dataset.  I chose to use color symbology to indicate individual border countries but decided not to label them as the focus of this map was Mexico.  An inset map was added to provide a point of reference to the location being shown.

Figure 3: Topography Map of Mexico

I enjoyed this lab assignment but it was very time consuming for me.  Using the same original map and layers to create three different maps by applying various modifications, enabled some concepts learned in previous lab assignments to be reinforced.  I also feel more comfortable using two data frames and navigating between views in ArcMap.  I now realize there are a variety of options in regards to symbology and labeling.  Using these ArcGIS tools wisely can greatly enhance the appearance of your maps.

GIS3015 - Module 2 - Map of Florida

Map of Florida

In Module 2 we were tasked with creating a basic map of the State of Florida in ArcMap using data provided by the instructor.  We then were required to export our Florida map to Adobe Illustrator (AI) and use graphic design techniques to fine tune the basic map and make it "aesthetically pleasing, publishable material."  Prior to editing our map in AI, we needed to become familiar with the AI workspace and tools.  

Part 1 of the lab had us open ArcMap and add data about Florida's Counties, Surface Water, and Cities.  Some minor changes were required in ArcMap as well as the insertion of three essential map elements (North Arrow, Legend, and Scale Bar).  We also had to locate and view Metadata files for the three layers.  I found my recent week 2 lab assignment in GIS4043 helped me with this part of the lab.  I began to feel more comfortable navigating in ArcMap.  

After watching a video about using AI we opened up AI and began exploring.  In Parts 2 and 3 of the lab instructions, we explored the AI workspace and various graphic design tools.   There were many to choose from so the lab instructions guided us to some essential tools/settings and techniques that we would need to use for the next step.  Now we were ready to spruce up our elementary map.  We had specific requirements for our fine tuned map.  We needed to add the remaining essential map elements, at least three images of Florida State symbols, and several layout and design upgrades.  Upon completion of our final map we exported the file to a jpeg image; my Map of Florida is shown above.

My first attempt at this lab was not successful.  I created my basic map of Florida in ArcMap but spent some time making enhancements within ArcMap prior to exporting to AI.  Once I opened up my "basic" map in AI, I quickly realized how complex it actually was; especially the layers.  I decided to start anew and created a "real" basic map in ArcMap which then appeared much less complex when opened in AI.  The first priority in AI was to understand the Layer window and how to organize my map layers.  It took me several times of trial and error as well as some great advice from the discussion board to correctly setup my map layers.  Once I had the layer order established I could then proceed to inserting the required elements and enhancing the map.   I added the various text boxes for the Title, Data Source, Date, and Cartographer.  Using the Character Panel I was able to choose from different fonts and settings.  I also needed to fix the text within my Legend.  I decided to try and use the same font style for the majority of the map.  I added a background color and created a Drop Shadow around the State using the Effects menu option.  Next, I explored different border options for my Neatline and Legend.  I also played around with placement of the text boxes.  There are so many options and choices for displaying your objects.  It was easy to spend a great deal of time playing with the different features and trying to decide which design/layout looked best.  In Part 4 of the lab we were required to run a script that would enable us to easily replace a symbol for the major cities displayed in the map.  I perused the variety of symbols in the symbol library and selected two choices from the Map library.  Once again, comments from the discussion board enabled me to perform this task without too much trial and error.  I employed the same script to uniquely identify the capital city, Tallahassee.  I also had to update the Legend to reflect the new symbols for cities and the capital and label some of the cities by name.  The last major change to the map was the addition of State image symbols.   I chose to add the State Seal, State Animal, and State Flower.  After copying and pasting these images into the map, I used the Image Trace tool to clean them up and remove any white spaces.  Using text boxes I identified the State images.  Lastly, I began fine tuning the map.  I added a segment line to point to the correct symbol for the city of Miami and ensured my map contained all the elements required by the rubric.

In this lab I increased my knowledge of ArcMap to create the basic necessities of a map.   I familiarized myself with basic AI tools.  Learning AI was the most difficult portion of this lab.  I hit the undo button several times and was glad I kept saving the file after making successful modifications.  After making numerous mistakes and unable to fix them, I could just close AI and reopen my last saved AI map.  I now have a better understanding of Layer organization within AI.  Running the script was a very useful exercise.  I am sure there are many more useful scripts that will help me in a future map design.  This module was tough but I enjoyed seeing my finished product.  I definitely look at maps in a whole new way.  I am beginning to appreciate the magnitude of effort that is required to make a successful map.  While the data used to make a map is essential and at the core of any map, the design and presentation of that data is what makes the map a success.

GIS4043 - Week 2 - Own Your Map

UWF Main Campus Location

In this week's lab assignment I felt more comfortable navigating in ArcMap.  Creating a map of UWF’s Main Campus location with an inset map of Counties of Florida was a challenge for me.   The lab guidelines helped me to explore and understand the functions of ArcGIS while creating a useful map.   I also learned about essential map elements and guidelines to follow before designing a map.  Learning how to find map information from metadata was the most difficult portion of this lab.  Metadata provided for different layers can be uniquely displayed by different metadata styles.   Knowing where to find a value or description was important in this lab.  For my UWF Main Campus Location map I chose to maintain the Portrait orientation as the instructor had because I felt Escambia County would fit better and provide me with ample map space to place essential map elements.  I chose a light green for the background color of Escambia County so there would be some contrast with important items placed on the map.  I chose to place my scale bar on the bottom right as that placement location was closest to the interstate routes on the UWF layer as well as the campus location.  I learned how and where to change the location placement of city names around the city point symbology.  Placement of the UWF logo needed to allow it to be legible and non-intrusive.  Similarly, the legend needed ample map space to make it easy to read and locate.  I chose to place the legend closest to the features shown on the map and to place the logo next to the title.  I enjoyed having some autonomy in this lab but also some guidelines and steps to follow.  I am realizing how important understanding your map audience is in the design of a map.

GIS3015 - Module 1 - Map Critique

Well-Designed

I chose the Ancestry Map, provided for this Module, as an example of a well-designed map.  The purpose of this map is to show the ancestry with the largest population in counties across the United States.  The "look and feel" of this map is informative and authoritative.  The map is very organized and uses subtle, cool colors.  I felt this map showed "graphical excellence" as described in Tufteism #1 (well-designed presentation of interesting data).  The intended audience for this map could be of secondary school age or older.   Those persons interested in the areas of genealogy, history, anthropology, or sociology may find this map useful.  The rules of Commandment #3 are used effectively in this map.  Clear, thorough labeling is present on this map.  An important subsection is labeled under the legend describing in detail the "Other" category listed in the legend.  The images of the contiguous states and non-contiguous states and territories have clear boundaries.  The states and territories are not labeled by name.   The map looks well-balanced.  The images are aligned to the page and each other.   Map space is utilized very well. The four corners of the page have separate maps.   Three corner maps depict non-contiguous states (Hawaii and Alaska) and a territory (Puerto Rico).   Each of these three separate maps have a scale bar that appear sized correctly and have logical scale units as does the main map's scale bar.  In the top right corner of the page there is a map that shows the data by state rather than county.  The legend is appropriately structured and works for both the ancestry by county map and the smaller inserted map of ancestry by state.  The title of this map appears in the center top portion of the map and is clearly visible and descriptive.  It may have been helpful to audience members not familiar with the United States to title the three corner maps (Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico).  The map source is listed but not an author.  This map appeals to me because it abides by the Cartographic Principle of "maximum information at minimum cost".  While displaying every county in the United States seems like it could be complex, this map appears simplistic.   The map layout appeared rightly sized as described in Tufteism #19.  I enjoyed viewing this map because it made me think about our country's rich history despite being relatively young in comparison to other countries in the world.  It was easy for me to imagine different immigrant groups', native americans', and slaves' journeys simply by looking at the colors on this map.

Poorly Designed

I chose the Capital Population Map as my example of a poorly designed map.  The purpose of this map appears to be to display the population of capital cities in the United States.  This map seems to defy Tufteism #2 (complex ideas communicated with clarity, precision, and efficiency).   Usually an audience in primary school could understand a map of capital populations but this map is not clearly designed and thus difficult to interpret the information displayed.  The author of this map did not effectively label the map (Commandment #3) or tell the truth about the data (Tufteism #5).   The capitals of Hawaii and Alaska are not shown on the map.  The dot symbology the author chose is not intuitive.   All dots are the same color.  Dots appear in different sizes on the map which seems to indicate the level of population but the legend provided is inadequately labeled/identified.  We do not know the units used to denote a capital's population size.  Further,  dot sizes prevent proper placement/identification of their respective capital.  There is a title at the top of the map layout but it is incorrect in that only capitals of the contiguous United States are displayed.  No scale is provided.   No source or author is listed.  It appears the map author's desire to present data with simplicity (minimalist approach) caused the purpose/explanation of the map to be sacrificed.  I did not enjoy viewing this map because it did not follow the cartographic design principle of "engaging the emotion to engage the mind."  I kept hoping to decipher the legend and understand the story the map author was trying to tell.

I found this module to be a useful exercise but time consuming.   Since I have no prior experience with GIS, this module forced me to take the time to properly evaluate maps and decipher their intent both visually and informationally.  I enjoyed this module because it made me realize how important it is to conceptualize your map before creating it.  I remember an acronym from my college ROTC days: PPP - Pxxx Poor Planning.  Planning your map is vital to its reception and usefulness.

GIS4043 - Week1 - ArcGIS Overview

This is my first week in GIS4043.  In this week's lab assignment I was able to successfully login to ArcGIS and upload the Cities and Countries data files provided by the instructor.   Using these files I was able to follow the assignment tasks to learn about different features and settings that can be used to create, modify, and define a map.   Additionally, I learned how to find specific information about the countries in the map that I created.  Finally, we were required to use the Help Library and Search tool in order to know how and where to seek assistance regarding ArcGIS.  Since I have no prior experience using ArcGIS I found the assignment instructions very helpful.  My map is a map displaying world countries and select cities.  The individual countries are color shaded on a graduated scale to denote their country's estimated population size. 

GIS3015 - Orientation Module - My Story

Hi, I am excited and nervous about taking classes (GIS 3015/GIS 4043)!   It has been 23 years since I took an online class and a lot has changed.   I am looking forward to finding myself again after focusing my attention on others the last few years.   

I have no prior formal experience with GIS.  As a member of the Okaloosa County School Board I began researching esri based routing software packages to be used by our transportation department.   I found GIS to be an intriguing subject and wanted to know more.  I hope to obtain a graduate certificate to help me find a new career utilizing my previous engineering background and new GIS skill set.

My Story can be found at: http://arcg.is/1S9cmCF

Creating My Story Map was a challenge for me.   I had to create my story plan and find photos that would explain my background.  I created a public Picasa account to upload my photos.  I could not have completed these introductory assignments without having the videos to watch and the written instructions and tutorials.   These aids were a tremendous help.

Enrolling in these courses is definitely taking me out of my comfort zone!