Data Classification

This week's lab we learned about the 4 common data classification methods: Equal Interval, Quantile, Standard Deviation, and Natural Breaks. We compiled two maps using the Miami Dade County 2010 Census tract data to display each classification method. The first map showed the population percent of senior citizens aged 65 and above. The second map showed the senior citizen population normalized by area. Equal Interval is a classification method where data is represented by classes that contain an equal amount of data values. The range of the data is divided by the amount of classes you want to have. This method is the easiest for the reader to interpret and it is also the easiest to prepare. However, there can be an unequal amount of distribution within the classes that can cause entire classes to be unrepresented with fill color on the map or for one class to dominate the map. Quantile is a classification method where data is sorted into a certain amount of categories with each category containing the same number of values. The total number of observations is divided by the total number of classes. While you will never have empty classes, you have to manually adjust your break values to compensate for tied classes. Similar features can be placed in adjacent classes or features with grossly different values can be placed in the same class. This distortion can be decreased by adding classes. Standard Deviation is a classification method where the standard deviation is added/subtracted from the mean of the data. The data needs to be normally distributed to give your classes clear dividing points. The audience target should be considered as this statistical representation might not be easily understood. Natural Break is a classification method where the natural groups in the dataset are considered. This minimized the differences between data values in the same class. It does consider outliers and places them in their own categories but clusters are placed in one or two classes. It can be difficult to compare two or more maps with the natural break classification because each map range is data specific.

The first map, under the symbology tab, I selected the graduated color (green hue, light to dark) with the field PCT_65ABV for all of the data classification methods except for the Standard Deviation. For the Standard Deviation method, I used the dark brown-tan to light blue-navy blue. The map contained all map essentials with four data frames that contained a legend in each. I used the same layout for the second map except I normalized the area in square miles under the field AGE_65_UP. The population count normalized by area more accurately depicts the distribution of senior citizens of Miami Dade County. The percent above 65 data presentation can be misleading in that a large tract can have a high percentage of senior citizens residing there but contain a low population count. Since the percent above 65 presentation does not factor in area, a small tract can be densely populated while a large tract can be sparsely populated. When the data is normalized by area, the reader can focus on the areas that are densely populated.

Land Partitioning and Cartographic Design Principles

              This week's lab is land partitioning and cartographic design principles. We learned the four Gestalt's principles to follow for map organization. The steps to follow are visual hierarchy, contrast, figure ground, and visual balance. Following these processes should help achieve a well-designed map that is concise, informative, accurate, creative, and user friendly. This week we created a map of the Ward 7 public schools in the Washington DC area. I implemented visual hierarchy in my map by labeling the roads with larger point lines for larger roads and the point size decreased as the roads got smaller. I implemented a white halo around all of the neighborhoods that were labeled. For the hydrographic feature, I used curved text for the label to follow the natural curvature of the river. I also used double spacing between each letter, 12 pt, and blue font. The title of the map has a 42 pt font and the subtitle has a 36 pt font. They both contain the Arial Bold font as I wanted it to stand out on the page.
               The symbology I chose for the road features achieved adequate contrast in my map. I chose a 0.25 pt, light grey color for the Ward 7 streets that really helped make Ward 7 stand out in comparison with the rest of the map. For the US Highways and Major Streets in all of the Washington DC area on the map, including Ward 7, I chose the ArcGIS 2D standard symbols. I felt using these symbols really added some depth and character to my map and kept it from being too bland. The school symbols were sized smallest to largest to correlate chronologically with elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. I also colored them lightest to darkest as well. I established figure ground relationship in my map by using a lighter color scheme for Ward 7, the focal area of our map. I chose a darker tan/burnt orange color for the entire Washington DC area. It complemented the light cream color I chose for Ward 7.
                This map was a little tricky to achieve optimal balance due to the "pac-man" shape of the Washington DC area being displayed. I chose to put the inset map on the bottom right portion of the map where there was the most space. I chose to put the legend in the northern portion of the map. This was because I was only required to include 3 symbols in my legend. I put the date and author name under the inset map. I felt if I included it on top, like I did the Data Source, it would look cluttered and take attention away from the more focal areas. The map frame and inset frame were sized appropriately to claim the majority of the space on the map. I really put for the effort to ensure that everything was centered and aligned correctly.

Typography

This week we completed Module 3: Topography where we produced a map of Marathon, Florida and its neighboring islands. The main focus of the assignment was how to label a map in accordance with general typographic guidelines. Font type, size, orientation, and placement of text are important to consider when labeling the map. For point features, symbols should be placed on the left and defined to the right. Leader lines should be very thin, with no arrowhead, and point to the center of the symbol without touching it. While this assignment had the main focus of typography, producing a quality map with all the essential map elements was an important scope of the project as well.  First, I made the basemap in ArcPro and shared it to ArcGIS Online. I exported the map from there to Adobe Illustrator where I created a mapboard. I created layers for a legend, north arrow, neatline, and map title. I also created a layer and sublayers for all the Keys, one for the cities, the state park, country club, and airport. This helped me stay in order when I edited. This week we added an Inset Map to our map. I struggled for a while to get this step completed correctly. The step where I was supposed to make a clipping mask was not yielding what it was supposed to. The first <path> object was not showing up as the border of the topography. It was just one county, therefore I was clipping one county for the Inset Map when I ran through the steps. Finally, I just started from scratch and paid close attention to each step and I got it right. I attribute this to getting familiar with the Adobe Illustrator interface. Part of the assignment called for some map customizations. I applied a drop shadow to the topography since I used a beige color and it helped it stand out a little more on the map. For the hydrographic features, I used a blue font and italicized them all. For the Florida Bay label, I used a wave transformation on the text. I also transformed the harbor texts 30 degrees to fit them inside their respective harbors. When I labeled the keys, I used leader lines to help organize the labeling. While I did not get too crazy with the map, this exercise helped me play around with different styles on the labeling. I also got some experience using more tools, such as the line tool. Adobe Illustrator is proving to be a handy map making tool!