GIS 5007 Module 3: Cartographic Design

 

Module 3 of Computer Cartography gave us insight into the cartographic design process and elements to consider when creating our maps. We designed a map of the Ward 7 schools in Washington DC, incorporating several Gestalt principles of perceptual organization. We considered the contrast (visual difference) between map features, the balance (visual harmony) between map features and empty space, as well as the appropriate use of figure-ground (objects being made to appear further/closer). We also kept in mind the visual hierarchy of the symbols and map elements (ranking by importance of both). All these, plus more of Gestalt principles, allowed us to create a map with visual appeal to the audience.

By using ArcGIS Pro and the data made available in this course, I tried to follow the Gestalt principles… I’m not overall pleased with how my map came out, but will keep working to improve my abilities. Once I added the data to my map in an appropriate layer order, I adjusted symbols/colors of each to best denote what that map item was (streets in gray, parks in green, etc.). I manually indicated the Anacostia River by inserting a New Text – Curved Text when I was in the Map Layout. Because we only wanted to show the Ward 7 school locations, I used the Clip tool to clip the Ward 7 schools from the Washington DC school layer.

Public schools in the Ward 7 area of Washington DC


               I choose to label the schools in a scale of purple (lightest = Elementary School, darkest = High School), and to achieve a better figure-ground, adjusted the High Schools to be largest school symbol, Elementary School to be smallest school symbol. I made the Interstate (red line) 4pt thickness, the US Hwy (yellow line) 3pt thickness, and State Hwy (black thin line) 2pt thickness to show the difference in road types and visually indicate how major each road is (the thicker the line, the more major).


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