Module 3: Cartographic Design

 

        This week's lab was geared toward Cartographic Design principles, specifically Gestalts principles. We were tasked with creating a map that showed elementary, middle, and high schools within Ward 7 of Washington D.C. by implementing Gestalts principles of cartographic design. These principles include using specific thematic symbols for data, a title, subtitles, and legend, north area and legend, data sources, base information, and neat/frame lines. To implement all of these principles effectively, I had to form the idea of the map by reading the info, seeing the data, and drawing up what it should look like. For this one, we also needed to make the Ward 7 feature pop out and be easily identified. The first step of the principles is to use thematic symbols that correlate with what is being identified, which in this case are schools. The symbol I choose was the shape of a school and used varying sizes that increased from elementary to high school. I also used different colors to signify which building was which. This follows with the title and legend which identified what the map was about as well as what symbol represents what. To assist with knowing more info about the area, base information is used such as road names or place names. For this map, I used interstate 295 and neighborhoods within Ward 7.       The other elements used are of course the scale bar, north area, and data sources. 

        Some tools I used were the clip tool to separate out the schools within Ward 7 from Washington D.C. I also used the symbology tool to specify the school icons as well as the SQL query to separate out specific neighborhood names. Also used a curved text which was a first for me and was super beneficial to learn! I used this to name the Anacostia River and to have it look like it is flowing in it so users understood that was the river's name. As always, I enjoyed putting the map together and having it be as balanced as possible without overcrowding it or leaving any empty spaces. I did get hung up with the SQL query but fixed it by using or instead of and. I learned a lot about detailing the map and using different methods to adjust the symbology and create a more balanced look.