Nicholas Wagner - GIS Blog

Module 6: Isarithmic Mapping In this lab, we learned about and used both continuous tone symbology and hypsometric tinting to categorize precipitation data for Washington state. These two methods provide different interpretations of the same data and can be used in a variety of applications. The data was first presented in continuous-tone symbology (first image), then in hypsometric tint (second image) with contour lines.  While continuous tone symbology provided insight into the precipitation data, hypsometric tint, especially with contour lines, worked much better. Continuous tone has many potential uses. Any data that has gradients would fit this well. For example, elevation data with no set boundaries would be best portrayed by a continuous tone, as it is a gradient. Another example could be the radius of effect for factors such as noise or light pollution, as these are also gradients.  Hypsometric tint is best used when there are solid lines dividing factors. For example,...

Module 4: Choropleth Mapping For this week's map, I used ArcGIS to create a map showing wine consumption per capita compared with population densities across European countries. For this map, I created a population density map of most European countries based on people per square kilometer. A few countries were excluded from this due to very large populations, as they were too small to appear on the map, making the data difficult to interpret. Next, I added wine consumption in liters per capita, placed top through smaller individual markers, also with a few countries being excluded due to size. After this, the colors were chosen for good contrast, and labels were placed, and map details were added.  The purpose of this lab was to develop our skills in making a map presentation with new forms of data. And practicing different types of data interpretations. The final adjustments took over three hours, as for some reason the labeling program took up 97% of my computer's memory, an...

Module 4: Data Classification For this week's module, we practiced using four data classification methods for two types of data. We used the equal-interval, quantile, standard deviation, and natural-break classification methods on the percentage of residents over 65 (first image) and the number of residents over 65 per square mile (second image). Equal interval distributes data into a set number of intervals, with the number of classes determined by the number of data points. This is useful for presenting easy-to-view data that presents logically, but it does not work for all data sets. One example is that lopsided data could present most of the values as the same. Quantile generalizes the data, sacrificing accuracy for simplicity of viewing. This method lumps less common values together for a more even distribution. Natural Break also sacrifices accuracy, but leaves slightly more accuracy. Standard Deviation divides each region into 5 categories, with an even distribution. This re...

Module 3: Cartographic Design For this week's module, we practiced using many design principles to create a map of Ward 7 in Washington, D.C. One of the design techniques used was visual hierarchy. To incorporate this, I made the primary focus of the map in red hues, to draw the most attention, in scale to get larger with the population, and darker as it progresses through the series of school categories. Other major references to location, such as roads, are also in red and blue. Background items are in desaturated shades of green and blue, as well as white.  To incorporate contrast into my map, I used high vs low saturation in colors depending on the importance of an item. Sizing important items as well as making some items scale to the population.  To establish a figure-ground relationship in my map, I set the map's base color as a shade of grey, whereas the color outside of the boundaries of the map is set to a light, desaturated green. Additionally, as ther...

Module 2 Lab: Typography For this week's module, we practiced using the label tool in ArcGIS to create good typography in a map layout. We learned the specifics of label design, including font type, size, orientation, and placement.  I took the given design and customized three aspects.  First, I re-did almost all the colors on the map to provide better contrast in the image.  Second, I re-did all the font/text sizing to provide better balance in the map.  Third, after selecting the required cities, I went in and picked the most prominent icons to represent them against the background.  I used a few tools to create this map, the primary of these was the label tool. After importing the map, adjusting the color, and creating the labels, I spent most of the time designing the text to complement the map.