Module 4: Cartographic Design

Several objectives in this week's lab.  I chose to implement visual hierarchy by making the study are as large as possible to fit the page.  They symbols for the schools are large and contrast in color to the study area color.  The title is centered at the top of the page, in large font with a halo to further diminish back ground interference with the text. The legend is also fairly large with the background matching the study area to further emphasize it's importance.  The locator map is at the top part of the page to lend additional information.  The bar scale and north arrow are easily located but not as visually dominant as other elements.  Finally the source data, my name and date are located at the bottom of the page in small font.

More objectives were also incorporated.  Contrast was used in the color of the study area and the color of the symbology (opposite on the color wheel).  Figure ground was employed by the study area being a lighter color than the surroundings with more detail (local roads and neighborhood names) giving the illusion with lighter color and more detail that the study area is closer to the viewer than the surroundings.  Attempts at balance were made by placing the large elements first (the main map in the largest format that the page would allow, the legend and insert to make sure adjustments to the main map were not required, and the title as another large element.  The lesser dominate map elements (scale bar, north arrow, source data, author and date) were placed in the non map space to help balance the page.  Graduated symbols for the schools;  Elementary schools have a smaller symbol than Middle schools which in turn is smaller than the High schools.  Inset map has an extent indicator to show the area of study in relation to the surrounding area of Washington, DC.

I started the map in ArcGIS desktop and then exported it to Adobe Illustrator.  I continued to work in both for most of the project.  There are pros and cons for me already with each.  I feel more control over the layers and information in ArcGIS, but Adobe offers more color and symbol options.  I chose to keep the ArcGIS school symbol for it's simplicity and maybe more recognizable.    I struggled with color choice vacillating often and changing frequently.  I am not totally committed to the yellow cream for the back ground but it seemed to contrast the green color choices of the study area and DC area.