NSF DUE ; Laura Johnson Cherie Aukland

NSF DUE ; GeoTEd Partners Module 4.0 Working with ArcGIS, an Introduction

NSF DUE ; Outline Map design key points Reference versus thematic maps Symbology choices Map layout elements Layout design considerations Common Layout Problems

NSF DUE ; Module name and number Image source: landtrustgis.org

NSF DUE ; Map design: purpose Why do we need to know about map design? Communicate effectively with maps (a picture is worth a thousand words)!

NSF DUE ; Number one consideration Who will use the map and what is its purpose? This drives all other aspects of map design map audience and/or purpose might be broad Example: a street map of the roads, parks, and towns around Lake Tahoe or narrow Example: a scientific map of lake bottom temperatures in Lake Tahoe

NSF DUE ; Two types of maps Reference map Usually shows lots of different types of information Maximum 4 layers for effective communication Example: Road maps, Topographic maps Thematic map Focused on one type of information, or theme Data classified or categorized Example: A map of poverty rate by county

NSF DUE ; Symbology Choice Symbology choices are paramount Determined by type of data and audience/purpose Visibility Clear communication Labels Labels should add important information Clear at the chosen display scale Sans serif fonts are least distracting

NSF DUE ; Symbol types Types of symbols Single symbol: Features in ArcMap Layer Properties Unique symbols – good for qualitative categories of things: Categories in ArcMap Classified symbols – good for quantitative (numeric) information: Quantities in ArcMap Color ramps – used for raster (pixel-based) data layers

NSF DUE ; Symbolizing quantitative data Graduated colors (choropleth map) Graduated symbols Proportional symbols Dot Density Charts ArcMap HELP LOOKUP In ArcMap help, type in “represent quantity” Choose the link “About symbolizing layers to represent quantity” ArcMap HELP LOOKUP In ArcMap help, type in “represent quantity” Choose the link “About symbolizing layers to represent quantity”

NSF DUE ; Choosing classification methods Different ways to classify quantitative data Depends on What you want to show The numerical distribution of the data ArcMap HELP LOOKUP In ArcMap help, type in “classifying” Choose the link “Classifying numerical fields for graduated symbology” ArcMap HELP LOOKUP In ArcMap help, type in “classifying” Choose the link “Classifying numerical fields for graduated symbology”

NSF DUE ; Map Elements Most map layouts will include: A map body A title A legend Scale bar North arrow Other text (data source, date, author) Optional elements Overview or inset map Grid or graticule Additional graphics or photos

NSF DUE ; Other Design Issues Color Balance Emphasis

NSF DUE ; Color Which climate is warmer?

NSF DUE ; Color Want to choose colors that Represent reality as closely as possible Are pleasing to the eye Portray the message of the map effectively Colorbrewer2.org Transparency is your friend Play with transparency settings on map layers (right- click on the layer, Properties) Make colors less visually jarring Reference maps showing multiple data layers

NSF DUE ; Balance Symbols: Don’t crowd Make sure they are all visible The eye tends to follow a “Z” pattern across a page – left to right, top to bottom Place most important information in the center of the page Linear information (title, scale bar, text) along the top and bottom Balance white space within the layout

NSF DUE ; Module name and number Map layout

NSF DUE ; Emphasis The emphasis should be the map body Emphasize the map body through Size: largest map element Placement: Central to page layout If creating a thematic map, emphasize the theme or subject of the map Reference layers should be less noticeable on thematic layouts Legends Typically don’t need the title “Legend” Make as simple as possible

NSF DUE ; Common Layout Blunders Not changing the names of data layers Leads to non-sensical text in the map legend Showing too much detail Cluttered map Huge, complicated map legends Poor color choices Using default symbols, particularly for points

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Summary Most important consideration? Symbology choices Look for balance and emphasis on the finished layout

NSF DUE ; Questions? Module name and number