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.