Final Project

Analysis of ACT Scores and Participation Rates

Final project complete! This map was created from data obtained from American College Testing. I used proportional symbols to display the median composite score for each state. I also created a choropleth map using each states graduate participation rate.

Google Earth

Google Earth 3D: Downtown Miami, Florida

This is a screenshot of a Google Earth image showing downtown Miami, Florida. This scene was interesting to me because the last time I was in Miami, I had taken a cruise the Eastern Caribbean. One of the things I remembered about Miami was how many cruise ships were at the cruise terminal which can be seen in the middle background. I thought it was neat that the cruise ships are shown in 3D.

Dot Density Mapping

Dot Density Map of South Florida

This Dot Density map was created in ArcMap with population data from the US Census Bureau. A dot density map is useful in when presenting the location and density of a given attribute.

Flow Line Mapping

Immigration Flow Line Map

This Flow Line Map was designed using Adobe Illustrator to show immigration data for 2007. Each flow line is proportionate in width to its region's number of immigrants into the United States. Flow lines help to convey statistical data in a visually appealing way.

Isometric Mapping

Isohyet Lines

I created this grey scale isometric map of Georgia in Adobe Illustrator by manually interpolating isohyet lines at 5 inch intervals of average annual precipitation. This was a lengthy and detailed process that gave me renewed appreciation for the automation of computers.  

Proportional Symbols

This map was created from the world countries data available from ArcGIS Online. It is centered on Europe where I used a wine bottle as a proportional symbol in order to show, relative to one another, each countries consumption of wine in 2010.

This map was created from the one above in ArcMap centered over Western Europe. The final layout was done in Adobe Illustrator where I created circular labels and wine bottle symbols. The labeling is obscured on the smaller symbols due to the loss in image quality when the JPEG was created. Next time I'll Have to go   a bit bigger.

Choropleth

Unipolar Data Represented by Sequential Color

I created the basic layout of this map first in ArcMap where I classified the data and selected the color scheme. Then, I completed the layout within Adobe Illustrator. Note the three scale bars each indicate the same distance but physically differ in size.

Unipolar Data Represented by Sequential Greyscale

I used a copy of the map above and made a few changes within Adobe Illustrator to complete this greyscale map. I grouped the data by divisions using Microsoft Excel and calculated the changes and then manually classified it. A scale bar on this map would only be accurate within divisions and not between, so I left all scales off to prevent confusion.

Typography

I had a little bit of fun with this map. We continued this week learning how to use Adobe Illustrator, this time focusing on Typography. I put my cartographic skills to the test by labeling different geographic features. I also discovered that the Symbols Palette can help me to fill in some empty spaces.

Map Composition

This is a choropleth map of Southern Florida based on 2000 US Census data created with ArcMap and final layout completed in Adobe Illustrator. This map uses a sequential color scheme from light to dark blue in order to reflect the percentage of the Hispanic population for each census tract.

Intro to Illustrator

Florida Cities

This map shows the general location of cities and county boundaries within the State of Florida. The final layout of this map was exported from ArcMap and completed in Adobe Illustrator.

Data Classification

 Data Classification Methods

This map shows the same census data for Escambia County, Florida, four different ways. Even though each classification method has its advantages and disadvantages, it's the cartographer's responsibility to determine maps purpose and audience before selecting the classification method.

Equal Interval Method

This map was created to show the percentage of the population of African Americans living within each census tract of Escambia County, Florida. The data was classified by the equal interval method.

Statistics

Projected State Populations

This scatter plot graph was created with sample lab data using MS Excel. The goal was to estimate the populations of four states in the year 2050. The graph shows a polynomial trendline for each state as well as the trendline equation. Since we now know the equation, the population (y) can easily be calculated by plugging in the year (x). The graph is then very useful as a reference to check if our calculations are in the ballpark.

Map Critique

An example of a well-designed map:

This well-designed topographic map of Easter Island jumps off the paper, all while accurately displaying ancient statues and ruins. The labeling on this map is very clear and well placed. The use of varying fonts and colors along with feature symbology eliminates the possibility of confusing ruins for a populated place. The inclusion of the inset map helps to transport the reader from the coast of Chile and across the South Pacific.

An example of a poorly-designed map:

This map caught my eye today when I visited the Fox News website. It is targeted toward Americans who are quickly able to recognize a map of the United States. Its widely recognized shape makes typical map elements such as labeling or a North arrow unnecessary. However, when we take a closer look at this map it becomes unclear as to what exactly the Center for Disease Control wants us to know. We can see something is widespread but what? And the improper use of color falsely indicates that Hawaii is on the verge of becoming widespread. The only thing clear with this map is how one missing map element, in this case a title, can render a great looking map impotent.