GIS Outputs Printed maps Tabular data Graphs Cartograms Online GIS resources Consumer GIS Products
The two key points Correct analysis Clear communication Yes, that’s it.
Output Process Determine scale and purpose of output AUDIENCE Professional or Public? Both? Reference map or single purpose? Decide (guess) how it will be viewed Computer screen, printed (color or B + W) Layers and Symbolization Layout Title, scale bar, etc.
An Iterative Process Output takes 30 seconds, but… My “good” ($$) maps take weeks Finish, wait, edit, finish, wait, edit Communicate with client/boss as necessary Your methods and mileage may vary http://www.designophy.com/article/design-article-1000000065-design-should-be-an-iterative-process-not-a-linear-one.htm http://design-is-everything.blogspot.ca/2011/11/users-frustrationweek-3.html
Printed Maps Audience goals Navigation Communication Education Entertainment Legal Records Reference Propaganda Others?
Maps for Navigation Scale Elevation Boundaries Routes Features Declination Comfort + Confidence?
Maps for Navigation https://transportactionbc.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/cc_sept2013.jpg
Maps for Communication British Columbia Biogeoclimatic Zones How many layers? Color Logic?
Maps for Communication
Maps for Education Gettysburg, 1863 (Could do in ArcScene) John B Maps for Education Gettysburg, 1863 (Could do in ArcScene) John B. Bachelder
Maps for Education (simple version)
Maps for Entertainment Most are not suitable for class…
Tax Maps (Legal Records) Parcel number Surveyed dimensions Road dimensions http://www2.erie.gov/ecrpts/index.php?q=tax-maps
Boundary Surveys (Legal Records) More detailed than tax maps Include reference points
Maps for Reference
Propaganda Maps
Propaganda Maps CNN Reuters http://warincontext.org/2014/11/16/detailed-map-showing-areas-under-control-of-isis-in-syria-and-iraq/
Cartographic Conventions Consistency and Rules Water is blue, labels are blue italics Always. Forest is dark green, grassland light green Peaks are white, valleys green, deserts tan On most regional maps Highways are red, minor roads black Mileage may vary Bottom line: use intuitive/logical/standard colors
Using the Full Page Page Map Edge Margin
Balancing the Page Page Map Edge Margin
Balancing the Page
Balancing the Page
Balancing the Page
Rule of Thirds (Photography) Not necessary, but… Off-center is not always bad Centered is often not best Balance, balance, balance
Visual Hierarchy Your map’s subject should attract the eye first All other elements are unobtrusive but present And you read more here
Map Elements Title Legend Authorship Disclaimer Locator Map Scale Neatline Reference Grid North Arrow
Map Elements: Title
Map Elements: Legend
Map Elements: Authorship
Map Elements: Disclaimer
Map Elements: Locator Map
Map Elements: Scale
Map Elements: Neatline
Map Elements: Neatline
Map Elements: Reference Grid
Map Elements: North Arrow
Colors: Consider the Following Red/green colorblindness 8% of men, 0.5% of women Color maps on B+W printer http://colorbrewer2.org/#
http://colorbrewer2.org/#
http://colorbrewer2.org/#
Color - RGB (monitor) versus CMYK (printer) Translucent (monitor- softcopy) versus opaque (printer- hardcopy) RGB: additive colours CMYK: subtractive colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Subtle contrasts onscreen may not work in print; solid tints onscreen are too dark in print e.g. blue lettering on blue lakes
Contrasting Colors: OK
Contrasting Colors: Not OK
Contrasting Colors: Really Not OK
Colors: Consider the Following
Colors: Consider the Following
Colors: Consider the Following
Tabular Outputs: When? Crowded maps (impossible to label)
Tabular Outputs Roman hostels and nearby amenities 2014 GEOG300 project Precise information on each point (reference)
Graphs Volume by age class, crown closure
Cartograms: Grid Based Each square = 500,000 people http://brilliantmaps.com/cartogram-world-population-2015/
Cartograms: Circular https://leopatterson.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/books-information-graphics-data-flow/
Online Functions
Consumer Data Products Public interest groups Your supervisor (!)
Summary Output is an iterative process Most maps have a single point to communicate That point should stand out Everything else should not Always keep audience and format in mind Formats for final project Almost any of these, backed by analyses Except: online functions/consumer products (unless…)