Typography

Hello!

In this lab we made a basic map of Florida, focused in on the southern tip and the Keys, in ArcMap and then exported it in an AI extension to continue the rest of the lab in Adobe Illustrator. There, we were tested on the typography guidelines we learned from reading chapter 11 in our textbook. We were to correctly label and locate certain Keys, cities, water bodies, and parks & city features. We were required to use previous knowledge and experience with AI to also add in other features, such as essential map elements, a color scheme, an inset map, and 3 personal customizations.

My Map:
This is a map that shows certain water bodies, keys, parks, city features, and cities of the Florida Keys. I used ArcMap to create the basic map, inset map, and scale bar. Then, I exported my map with an ai extension and continued my work in Adobe Illustrator. There, I added in all the required features, used unique symbology for each one, correctly labeled them, and further customized by using three different fonts and colors to distinguish them from one another. I also added the blue background to indicate the ocean surrounding the islands. I made my legend in AI with the rectangular tool and included the same symbols as used for my features. I added a simple border to give it an enclosed and finished look.

GIS Cartography

Hello!

In this lab we were required to make three maps. One to show the population levels of Mexican States, one to show the major water features, roads, railroads, and urban areas of Mexico, and one to show the topography of Mexico. The map I am showcasing today is the topography of Mexico.

Map Description:
This map shows the elevation in meters, with a color ramp of red, orange, green, yellow depicting the elevation. The warmer colors depict higher elevation, while the cooler colors depict lower elevation. The inset map helps the map-reader see on a global scale what area is zoomed in on. The title, inset map, legend, scale bar, and other map essentials are placed in what I felt was the most balanced location. The country of Mexico and its cities are labeled suitably, as well as neighboring countries. The surrounding countries were made a light, cool color of a different hue in order to not blend in with the data being presented.

Lab Learning Outcomes:
In this lab we learned how to:
- Connect to folders in the S:\ drive through ArcCatalog and display content and metadata from our saved data folder.
- Explore and change properties of data in ArcCatalog through the Fields tab under Properties.
- View ArcCatalog while in ArcMap by clicking on the tool bar for ArcCatalog.
- Add layers to our Table of Contents in ArcMap by dragging and dropping them from ArcCatalog.
- Create a shapefile of the Mexican States by first using the Select by Attributes option and Query Builder to define the Mexican States. Then, creating the shapefile by exporting the data from the Data tab, navigating it to the correct folder, and saving the file as .shp.
- Label features by going into the layer's properties, into Labels tab, checking the Label features box, and selecting the correct Label Field.
- Change color symbology of a layer by going into Properties, Symbologies tab, clicking Quantities, and choosing a color ramp option. We also learned we could flip colors by clicking on the Symbol column and choosing Flip Symbols.
- Use Dynamic Text to add Essential Map Elements quicker. We did this by going into File, Map Document Properties, and filling out the dialog box that appears.
- Convert labels into Annotation in order to select and drag them in data view. We did this by right clicking on the layer and selecting Convert Labels to Annotation. In the pop up box we select In the Map when it asks where we want to store our annotations.
- Create an inset map by inserting a new Data Frame in the TOC, dragging it to the bottom of the TOC, dragging our world country layer into the new data frame, and then going into Properties, clicking Extent Indicators, and moving Layers into the right box.

My Experience:
I enjoyed creating a variety of new map types in this lab. I had the most fun rearranging my map elements and getting my map to be focused on the correct location. I did a lot of swapping between data and layout view in order to balance it just right.

Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Hello!

In this lab we were asked to create and export a basic map from ArcGIS to use in Adobe Illustrator. Our objectives in AI were to learn the basic tools, utilize the AI help features, change the basic map elements in AI, utilize a script in AI to improve map features, and to show our competency in the lab through a written process summary. Below is my map.

Map Backstory and Objectives: 

We were to create a map to be published (hypothetically) in a children's encyclopedia. The map should contain information on major city locations, the state capital, counties, and surface water features of the state of Florida.  The map needed to include an image or text box with only three of the following (cartographers choice): a state flag, state seal, state flower, state animal, or state nickname. It needed a subtle background color, supporting color theme, and border. Also, we had to utilize a script in order to change the symbology of the major cities and capitol on the map and on the legend. Lastly, it needed the basic map elements incorporated.

My Process:

I created the basic map of Florida in ArcGIS with the data provided from this weeks lesson module. I had to add in the surface water features that were missing on the map by going into the Categories tab, clicking unique values, and going through and selecting the Add Values items I needed. I added in Lakes, Streams, and Swamps or Marsh. I finished up the basic map by adding a North Arrow, Legend, and Scale Bar. I exported it to my S drive with an AI extension, at 200 dpi, and closed out the program.

Next, I ran the AI program and opened the AI image file I just created in ArcGIS.  I looked at my Layers Panel and reorganized the layers accordingly, to avoid future overlap. The next step on the lab guide was to change the symbology of the cities, so I un-grouped each city individually by dragging them out of their group layer to a position just above, but still in the same layer. After ungrouping, I selected a new symbol from the Symbol Library and inserted it into the desired layer panel by using the Place Symbol Instance Tool. After inserting the symbol, I highlighted all the cities and the symbol using the CTRL key. Additionally, I had to click the Click To Target function beside each item in order for the script to run. After a successful script run, I did the same process to change the symbol for the state capital and to change the symbols on my legend to match. The rest of my time was spent adding images through the copy and paste tool under the Edit tab and rearranging my layers to avoid overlap. I added the background color through the use of the Rectangle Tool, then double clicking the color wheel to add color. I used the Elliptical Tool in the same way to create my 'sun' in the top left corner of the map. I utilized red arrows from the Symbol Library and text boxes to point to the major cities I chose label. Lastly, I added a border through the Brush Definition drop-down menu and previewed border choices by dragging and dropping them onto the map.

Key tools I used: Shift to proportionately re-size images and other objects, CTRL to select items, Symbols Library, Layers Panel, Rectangle Tool, Type Tool, Fill Tool, and a lot of clicking around!

My Experience:

This was my first experience with AI and it was quite challenging. I had some previous experience with Adobe Photoshop, years ago, and that small amount of knowledge kept me sane. I see issues with my map, after the fact, that I hope to not make in future maps. This was a good learning experience, and now that I have dabbled around in it, I will be better prepared for future map making. 

Own Your Map

Hello!

In this laboratory exercise we learned to create a professional looking map by first learning, and then utilizing, the essential map elements through the ArcGIS software. My map example, as seen below.

We learned how to:

- Properly find and repair data sources when opening new .mxd files.

- Create an inset map (as shown above in the upper right corner of map) and add a new data frame (zoomed specifically on Escambia County).

- Copy and drag data sets between layers.

- Clip out features in the data frame that extended beyond the boundary of Escambia County (rivers, roads, cities, etc).

- Single out data (such as cities specific to Escambia County) and display it by using the Query Builder tool and Select Attributes tool.  Furthermore, we learned to narrow it down to displaying only three locations.

- Create new shapefiles and where to save them.

- Use the correct symbology for features on our maps and decipher color meanings.

- Add Essential Map Elements (titles, legend, north arrow, scale bar, cartography details, sources, etc.).

- And lastly, change default metadata settings in order to obtain a metadata with more information.

My experience for this week:

This lab was overall satisfying to work through. Navigating through ArcGIS is getting easier to do (with hours of practice!) and I find I am able to solve most of my mistakes without too much cross-referencing between guide materials.

Map Critique

Hello!

In this lab we were required to pick out two map examples, one of a well designed map and one of a poorly designed map. We were to give a critique to both maps with scholarly insight and assessment. Here are my map choices and my assessments.

Well-designed: 

Assessment: I like this map because it makes a hard concept easy to understand. A forecaster could say, “Expect AQI levels of 150 for today”, but without a visual guide to help the general public understand what those levels mean it would be hard for someone without knowledge in that area to comprehend the information broadcasted. A person with no previous knowledge could see the color levels and easily deduce that the red days are worse than the green days, considering this format is used in many other areas, like weather forecasting.

This map utilizes Commandment 1: Map Substantial Information, Commandment 3: Effectively Label Maps, and Commandment 4: Minimize Map Crap. 1: The information provided was not overwhelmingly scientific and is easy for someone with a high school education to read and understand. Also, there is not a lot of information crammed into the map to explain its purpose. 4: The data is kept in a simplistic, yet comprehensible format. There is not an overwhelming amount of side data included. 3: The symbols and fonts used were effective in understanding the map. The data is clear and concise and does not stray away in the design used to portray it.

This map is aesthetic to me because it is set on a neutral background, the colors of the bars stand out against the background, and the data location is easy to compare back and forth between the scales.

Poorly Designed:

Assessment:This map was probably drawn by a local (non-welcome center guide) and is hopefully not used as a directional guide. It lacks a sense of direction, scale, and data.  This map might make sense to another local, but it definitely does not meet the aim of properly directing a tourist in the right direction.

It violates Commandment 6: Evaluate your map. This map was hastily drawn, or lazily, and needs an aesthetic makeover. It violates Commandment 1: Map Substantial Information. No important information is being presented on this map. The hotel’s distance and location is unknowable. And it violates Commandment 2: The proportions are exaggerated, making the distance and locations inaccurate.

This map needs a new layout, a legend, a scale, titles, and additional information about the hotels in the area. It should be redone with an actual image of the street view of Barcelona, have the hotels appropriately highlighted with approximate distance from the start location listed in a legend, and perhaps include how many stars the hotel has received on reviews as side data.

ArcGISOverview

Hello! 

In this introductory lab we were provided with two sets of data in order to build our very first map of the class using ArcMap through eDesktop. The map below shows the location of  major cities around the world as well as the population of each country, by color coding, in the year 2008.

 I was a little daunted at first by the length of the overview guide, but found out it was for a good reason. The guide's length was much needed in providing important details for each step of the way, and because it was so well detailed and written I had a very enjoyable (and quite fun!) experience making my first map. I enjoyed working with the software and found it user-friendly and easy to navigate. I look forward to utilizing this software in future lessons!

Introduction

Hello!

 My name is Priscilla Woodrow. I am a recent college grad from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in anthropology. I am originally from Oklahoma in a small town near Fort Smith, AR. I moved to the Pensacola area in June of 2015 with my boyfriend and four animals (2 cats, 2 dogs). I enjoy online gaming, reading, sewing, and traveling.

P- practical   R- realistic   I- intuitive   S- sarcastic   C- collected   I- imaginative   L- lovely   L- lively   A- artistic

Introduction

Hi class!

My name is Priscilla Woodrow. I recently moved to the Pensacola area from Oklahoma and am adjusting quite well, though I do miss the wide open plains sometimes. I dont have any children and am not married, but I do have four fur babies (two cats, two dogs), and they are a handful as is. Last May I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in anthropology. I focused mainly in archaeology and biological anthropology and minored in classics. Now I am a full time student here at UWF, go Argos! 

I initially learned about GIS through some self done research while writing my capstone paper and afterward became very interested in its applications in archaeology. I have always been fond of archaeology and was excited to discover this program while perusing grad school options. I feel like this program is what I needed to help me stand out in the crowd of new grads and continuing professionals. As a newbie to the topic, I am excited to hear about my fellow classmates experiences in GIS and the careers you all have chosen.

http://arcg.is/1mDznRu  <---- my story map