Map Composition & Module 8 OR Making a Cool map Small, rural libraries do not have the luxury of being able to support the use of ArcView. This presentation describes one way to make AV “self supporting” by creating a easily understood interface that leads the user through the creation of maps from a given set of shape files.

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Steps to Creating a Map Define the Purpose of the map Audience? Professionals? Lay public? How will map be used? Restate into a design problem Design solution - arrangement of map’s image elements to facilitate communication Sort of an outline Graphic design esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Steps to Creating a Map Define the Purpose of the map Audience? Professionals? Lay public? How will map be used? Which elements of map do you want the viewer to notice first? The inset map? The main map? The legend? This is the map hierarchy (or order) Design some parts to be like background while other, more important features are foreground esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS The Well Designed Map… Has a single purpose! Size of paper and map scale determine the level of detail You cannot simply blow up a map from 8.5-11 to something that would hang on the wall. A small map size will limit detail A large map viewed from a distance has same problem Reader must be able to easily interpret features Reader should be able to instantaneously understand the maps message esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Map Elements used in design Main map Smaller scale inset maps showing location Larger scale inset maps showing detail Title of the map (usually prominent) Legend everything on the map and no entries that are not on the map Scale graphic (bar) scale only North Arrow Metadata source, projection, date etc. esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Map Elements used in design Graticule Various text (notes, metadata, etc.) Borders and neatlines Symbols Place names and labels Photographs, Graphics Mapped and unmapped areas (white space) esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Mapped Area Title Legend Border Neatline Graticule Purpose, metadata Unmapped Area Credits Scale esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Title Draws attention by virtue of its size (big!) Focuses attention on primary purpose of content of map Not always needed Legend Principle reference to symbology MUST be there (usually) esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Scale A MUST! Types graphic -- the bar verbal -- 1” = 1 mile (watch this one) a ratio 1/24,000 (this one too) Because of ubiquitous nature of Xerox machines the graphic scale is a must, the others are optional esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Credits another, older, term for metadata Some metadata can be placed on map Data source Statement of accuracy, both spatial and attribute Date data collected, date map made Your name, assignment # etc… esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Credits another, older, term for metadata Some metadata can be placed on map Data source Statement of accuracy, both spatial and attribute Date data collected, date map made Your name, assignment # etc… esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Mapped and unmapped areas Objects, land, water, and other geographical features important to the purpose of the map makes the composition a map rather than a diagram The most prominent map element Graticule & Grids Graticule – geographic coordinates esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Borders and neatlines Borders serve to restrain eye movement and focus attention on the map. A Border surrounds all the elements of a map. A fill color can substitute for a border Neatlines are: finer than borders drawn inside borders mainly decoration Used to highlight objects (like legends) and to help balance a map esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Borders or Not A heavy border works better than a thin border Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Borders or Not A dark fill works better than a light fill in establishing a border Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Symbology Probably the most important part of the map (object placement is probably the second most important part) Remember that this is the basic tool in constructing the map’s message And these make the Legend a very important part of the map. REMEMBER COLORBREWER!!! esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Symbology Symbology (points) can be point symbols with different sizes, colors, and patterns In ArcGIS the data will determine where the point will be The designer can Tell ArcGIS where to put the names (labels) And can handle things like label conflicts esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Symbology Area and line features Data controls placemen In electronic maps anyway – generalization can cause problems The designer controls Style Color and/or Classification esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Aside In Exercise 8 the school polys were so small it was hard to make them stand out. Solution: Make a point layer and put a point in each school parcel. Assign one of the school point symbols to the points and make them big. The school symbol is in the ESRI symbol palette for points esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

The elements one-by-one Place names and labels Primary means of communicating to user Orients user on map Can provide important info re map purpose These can be labels or annotation esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Composition You have all the data You have the symbolization plan Now you have to visualize the map A creative process Trial and error process Where to put borders, neatlines What style of borders, neatlines Where does the legend go? The title And so on esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Composition Purpose of composition Forces designer or organize the visual material Stresses the purpose of the map Directs the users attention Develops an aesthetic approach for the map This is an iterative process esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Nitty gritty of Placement esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Composition: Planar Organization Balance visual impact of arrangement is the map “heavy” at top, bottom, sides??? Visual center: 5% of total height above Geometric center -- Arrange content around this point Geometric center esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Visual weight Depends on location obj weight increases with distance from center obj at top are heavier than those at bottom obj on right are heavier than those on left Depends on size (Duh!) Depends on color, interest, and isolation Red>Blue, Bright>dark complex > simple isolated > groups For Example … esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Which is better balanced? esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Balance and placement esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Unequal divisions of space more interesting than equal divisions esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Movement of reader’s eye - upper left to lower right Field Focus esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Using Eye Movement Eye goes left to right Generally you want the reader to see the map BEFORE seeing the legend – can’t always do it esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS St. Louis too far from visual center, balance not bad, however Hard to read name Better, but a heavy on right Balance with legend etc. esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Location of St, Louis Legend -adf asdf adfafffdsf esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Don’t really need since countries are labeled Location of St, Louis Don’t really need since countries are labeled esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Size / white space problems Is this a better balanced map? esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Text Use mixture of upper and lower case ALL UPPER CASE IS HARDER TO READ Use sans serif text No fancy fonts Big print for important stuff Little print for not so important stuff Use only 2 font families – usually one serif and one sans serif. esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Using Color Color is complex and tricky There are definite color preferences There are definite color combination preferences There are standard color codes (like for planning) The map should NOT be garish! esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS So Creating a map is like creating a document for a specific purpose -- to communicate something to the reader It is an iterative process There are some basic rules or guides that can be used – described above an in the on-line course module. esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Summary of Guidelines Map layout – where are the pieces going to go – major pieces – visual center – eye path – uneven juxtaposition of parts The map area and what’s in it Legend placement (usually to right of map) Scale bar, North Arrow Balance White space Map Title – Large – may not be needed esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Summary of Guidelines Credits (Metadata) usually present For FOR357/557- Author’s name, Exercise #, & date! Borders and neatlines. Border around ALL map pieces or solid fill Neatlines (or fill) around (in) various pieces Color – tricky – but not garish! esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

Lewis is hard to work with because of its shape- This is only good place for a legend Lewis County Hydrology State & Cnty Highways Hydrology Have to be careful because if used neatlines the map would be heavy on the left! By Eustis B. Nifkin , Inc. Syracuse NY 10/10/05 esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Lewis County Hydrology State & Cnty Highways Hydrology This map illustrates the a;dj;fa a;dljf a;dlfj aljdf a;sdf asdjf a;sdufdafdsf paseuef a;df;a ap[ef a;sduf asdfo aosdf [asdfi asdoif a[dsf [asdifdfi asdifd asdf By Eustis B. Nifkin , Inc. Syracuse NY 10/10/05 esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

right side stuff too big! Basic idea OK but right side stuff too big! esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Table Editing Can do in ArcMap Open table In “options” select Add Field Make field short integer (5 maybe) Click ok Click in new field header Click “Calculate values” You will get warning – usual answer is Yes Get window like … esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS How to save maps File>Export .Png is recommended for import into word GIF is good for web PDF is good generally if using Adobe esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS emf 300 dpi 229Kb emf 400 dpi 234Kb esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS emf 300 dpi 229Kb emf 600dpi 237Kb Emf 400 dpi 234Kb esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS 600 dpi 300 dpi esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Things I discovered The next maps you see took several hours for the basic map A really good map takes time Turning on labels is ok but you have no control (or limited control) Convert to annotation allows individual manipulation of the labels esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS The basic map as it appears in map view Questions Legend Title N arrow Scale bar Metadata Neatlines Lewis is a bad shape because of upper left esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map The basic map w/ title and N arrow Where’s the edge? It was saved as Transparent esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map The basic map w/ title and N arrow Where’s the edge? It was saved as Transparent esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Added more stuff but background is still transparent Balance does not look too bad esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Oops! Put in neatline around map In properties set fill color to yellow And where did the second scale come from? esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Oops! Graphic problem Clicked on yellow and got this Clicked on “Send to back” and …… esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Better But kind of garish But Balance good Not too much yellow space for 8.5x11 esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Aaah Better Still don’t like the hole where the N arrow is Could put a legend there but this map does not need a legend esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Making a map Here is another approach Landscape Harder to do because map has to be smaller So Added more text Added a highway legend after classifying the highways Ech esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Hummmm esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS But maybe this, a simple white or no fill is better after all esf Laboratory for Applied GIS

esf Laboratory for Applied GIS Booby Trap When you make scale bar it is grayed out? Why You didn’t set map and distance units No map units then ArcGIS has no idea what they are – probably no metadata If map units are m and you don’t want scale bar in meters then you have to set the distance units esf Laboratory for Applied GIS