Module 2: Typography 

    In this week's module, we learned about typography and its importance of it when it comes to labeling and styling a map for the intended audience. For this specific map, we were tasked with highlighting the major rivers, cities, and natural features of Florida by labeling them to be readable as well as utilizing the annotation tool to edit and move any labels that did not fit properly or were not easily read when the automatic labels were picked. I created this map through ArcGIS Pro and mainly used the symbology, label, and convert to annotation tool to get my labels where I wanted them and how I wanted them to look. I enjoyed learning about different techniques when it comes to labeling and challenging myself to use different fonts and sizes. I ran into some difficulties when I was separating out the specific cities and rivers I wanted to be labeled but once I understood how to create the SQLs and how simple it was, I had no issues at all. In fact, it allowed me to try out different versions of the labels without wasting too much time and having the option to see how they would look.

    My three customizations were the font choice of the Bookman Old School and having the cities bolded. I originally did not bold them but after looking at the finished JPEG, I felt like they were not easy to see or read. I also made the transparency for the counties color to 30% with a light gray outline so that they are seen but not distracting and so that the main features are popping out and noticed first. Plus, I felt like it was pleasing to the eye. My last customization was with the removal of the background map since Florida was labeled in the title and I felt like it just added map trash and took up space and become a little overwhelming with how I styled my layout. 

    I enjoyed this lab and gained a lot of knowledge in typography, specifically with labeling and the variety of techniques there are to label specific features. I also took more time in deciding what font and size to use and imagined how it would look for the intended audience who is looking at this map. I normally would try to do my best and view it from the audience's viewpoint but this time I dove in a little deeper.