Google Earth

Screenshot of South Florida Map in Google Earth
 

Well, here it is, the final project for Computer Cartography. This was a great project to end on, I certainly enjoyed working on it.

In this lab, we were instructed to convert data in ArcGIS to KML, use that file to help create a Google Earth Map, and then create a tour with the finished map. 

Using ArcGIS, population, surface water, and county data were uploaded and then converted to a KMZ file using the 'Layer to KML' geoprocessing tool. The KMZ file was transferred and displayed in Google Earth. The resulting map was of the population of South Florida using dot symbology. The dots were layered over a map of Florida which included county boundaries and bodies of water.

The next step in this assignment was to make a tour of the map. This is where it got fun. Within google earth you can elect to add placemarks to areas of interest. That placemark will be shown at the extent in which it was placed. For the purposes of our map tour, we began with an overview of 23 counties in Southern Florida, then zoomed a little closer to show the Miami metropolitan area. From there, we zoomed to the placemark in downtown Miami. Likewise, we showed the cities of Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg, and Tampa during this tour as well.

Creating this map and the tour within Google Maps was much easier than I had anticipated it being. That being said, it was still very engaging, and I learned a lot from it. 

Isarithmic Map

 This weeks module covered isarithmic maps. In this lab, we were tasked with creating a precipitation map of Washington state depicted with hypsometric tints, hillshade effect, and contours. Data was acquired from the USDA Geospatial Data Gateway and the PRISM Group at Oregon State University.

In order to show continuous data throughout the map, the data needed to be interpolated. The precipitation data was interpolated using the Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM), which is an analytic tool that uses point-based climate measurements to predict monthly or annual climate behavior. Another useful feature of PRISM is that is accounts for variables in the map such as terrain and elevation by utilizing a digital elevation model (DEM) which enhances the accuracy of climate data.

To complete this map, hypsometric tinting, also known as elevation coloring, was implemented. Hypsometric tinting is used to show elevation differences on a map by using different colors on different elevation ranges. For this map, the hypsometric tinting was implemented by using the geoprocessing tool called Int (Spatial Analyst Tool) and inputting the annual precipitation raster data. Next, contours were overlayed on the hypsometric tints. This was performed using another geoprocessing tool called Contour Listand run using the same annual precipitation raster data.

The result is a map that illustrates how precipitation is impacted by elevation and terrain, which is important for understanding patterns in the climate of any given area.

Choropleth

 

Data Classification

 

Cartographic Design

In this module, there was much emphasis on Gestalts Design Principles. These principles include a visual hierarchy of map elements, the contrast between map features, figure-ground meaning the ability to accentuate chosen objects over others, and the overall balance of the map.

 One example here to show how I used Gestalts principles of visual hierarchy, I put emphasis on the thematic symbols of the schools located in Ward 7 in Washington D.C. The schoolhouse symbols representing high schools were larger than that of the junior high and elementary schools with elementary being the smallest. Too, the coloring for the high schools was darker while the junior high and elementary school colors were lighter.

In this map, the purpose is to show contrast between the study area and the surrounding areas by drawing the readers eye toward the Ward 7 location on the map. To do this, I made this are lighter in color than that of the surrounding states and Washington D.C. area. For the Ward 7 location, a tan color was used while the D.C. area is a medium brown. 

 To achieve balance on this map I used the empty spaces wisely. In the bottom right corner, is the inset map and to the left of Ward 7 on the main map is the legend. I used the empty space in the top right corner for the north arrow and the space in the bottom left corner is the scale bar.

Typography

 In this lab we learned the importance typography and how important it is to the readability of a map and how it contributes to the overall map design. When focusing on the typography of a map, the map maker has to consider a few different elements; font, font size, line spacing, color, and label orientation. In the lecture and readings for this assignment, we were given pointers on how best to use typography to personalize our maps.

In this lab, we were tasked with creating a map of Florida and labeling a few of its major cities and waterways. To do this, I first had to learn the process of labeling point features on a map. In general, this process is simple enough in that all you have to do is select the data you want labeled (ie cities or rivers), go to the labeling tab and click the label button. You can also label the data by specific features as well. Something that, for me, will come in very handy in the future.

I made a few customizations to my map. The first being that I used a star for the capitol, Tallahassee, and made the font size a little bigger to emphasize the visual hierarchy between that city and the other cities. Another customization I used was a swamp graphic for The Everglades and Okefenokee Swamp because I thought the graphic was appropriate to highlight the two swamps on the map. A third customization I made was inserting a light grey base map so as to bring the map of Florida forward. 

Map Critique

 In this week's lab, we were tasked with evaluating and critiquing one well designed map and one poorly designed map.

The map shown here is the example I chose for the well-designed map. 

I was inspired by one of the maps provided in the R drive to find a better map of downtown Seattle with points of interest. The purpose is to show interesting places for people visiting downtown Seattle, WA. This map is very well designed and easy to read especially for those visiting the city for the first time. Streets are clearly labeled, major transit systems are highlighted, and points of interest are clearly displayed and eye-catching.

The map elements are well placed and balanced and the addition of the light rail stops is helpful for navigating. The placement of the legend with the light rail stops in the top right corner makes sense for this map as most points of interest are located towards the bottom.

The symbols used for the points of interest are very well done and convey precisely what it is visitors are meant to see at that location. The symbols also stand out well against the plain base map without being garish.

This map was obtained from Visit Seattle website.

https://visitseattle.org/visitor-information/maps/

Next is the example I chose for the poorly designed map.

This just looks like a collage someone put together for their map aesthetic. The assumption for this maps purpose is city navigation. However, it’s very chaotic and difficult to decipher. There is a lot of overlap of text and symbols making the map difficult to read. The north arrow is far too big and stands out. The scale placement and size don’t make sense. Some symbols used are easy to understand such as the hospital and restaurant symbols but others like the red star are hard to interpret their significance. 

While there are important map elements present such as the north arrow and the scale bar, this map is missing a legend which would help in figuring out what some of those other symbols mean. A title would have helped in figuring out this maps purpose as well.

The choice of color for some aspects make sense here. It’s clear that the major highways are red and the rivers are blue, however, what is less clear is the use of the purple buffer around parts of the river and the pink and green blobs throughout the map. The borders around some of the text needed to be a different color than that of the major highways.