1. Maps, Cartography, and Presenting Data
Class GISG 110

2. Objectives Maps and Cartography Map and design objectives
Factors controlling the design process
Communication in maps
Types of map outputs (formal, working)
Types of maps (reference, thematic)
Composition
Issues in cartographic design and solutions
Multivariate mapping and map series
Presenting Data
Creating maps in ArcMap
Printing and plotting maps

3. Maps and Cartography - not the same
Output from GIS
Cartography
The art, science, and techniques of making maps

4. Map and design objectives
Map objectives
Share information
Highlight relationship
Illustrate analysis results
Communicate effectively, efficiently, clearly
Design objectives
Manipulate the graphic characteristics
Fulfill the intended purpose

5. Factors controlling design process
Purpose: Objective, what is being mapped
Reality: Orientation (east-west map, landscape)
Available Data: Raster or vector
Map scale: Controls how many data can appear, symbol size and overlap
Audience: Summary information or details, bigger symbols for people farther away?
Conditions of use: Outside, inside, close up, far?
Technical limits: Medium – digital or hardcopy
All contribute to final design

6. Communication in maps
Successful communication in maps involves the relationship between
Cartographer/GIS Specialist
Map
Map user
Mental image of reality (no two are alike)

7. Communication in maps Cartographer/GIS specialist
Compiles data from several sources
Selects only data necessary to fulfill map objective
Takes selected data, classifies into fewer categories, simplifies it, and selects proper symbology for displaying information on the map

8. Communication in maps Map user
Takes map, reads symbology, analyzes relationships, and interprets information depicted
Through conclusion or inference
Acquire mental image of area that they may not have seen before
Conclusions or inferences based solely on symbology presented in map

9. Communication in maps The communication channel
Cartographer and user will never see the exact same mental images
Up to cartographer to come as close as possible to the users mental image when portraying data
Ask right questions to make communication easier and produce better maps

10. Communication in maps Making a good map
What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map?
Who will read the map?
Where will the map be used?
What data is available for the composition of the map?
What resources are available in terms of both time and equipment?
Answers will control the design process (and determine cost)

11. Types of outputs Formal
Presentation level map, intended for distribution or publication
Should possess good map composition
Working
Possibly missing map elements
Used for markup and editing
Not intended for distribution
Should be stamped with “DRAFT”

12. Types of maps General or Reference
Show locational or positional types of data
Variety of features and used by many disciplines
Thematic
Show specific geographic themes
Choropleths and isopleths
Qualitative and quantitative

13. Choropleth and isopleth maps
Constructed from values describing properties of non-overlapping areas (e.g., census tracts)
Isopleth map
Used to visualize phenomena that area conceptualized as fields, and measure on interval or ratio scales (e.g., precipitation)

14. Choropleth and isopleth maps
Death rate by Health Service Area
Total precipitation for 1996

15. Thematic maps - Qualitative
Depict data such as different soil types and other features with equal important at a nominal scale

16. Qualitative maps Displays qualitative values as features or categories
Where something is or isn’t
Patterns and trends
Features
Categories

17. Thematic maps - Quantitative
Show differences in quantitative characteristics
Using interval or ratio scale to show population or variation in temperature or humidity

18. Quantitative maps Display quantitative values as quantities or charts
When you want to show how much
Measures: count, ratio, rank
Quantities (e.g., graduated symbols)
Charts

19. Classifying quantitative values review
Equal interval
Natural breaks
Quantile
Standard deviation

20. Thematic maps Qualitative and Quantitative
Both show distribution of an attribute, and (generally) depict a single attribute or relationship

21. Hardcopy and digital maps
Paper map
Digital map
Fixed scale
Zoom allows maps to be viewed at range of scales
Fixed extent
Seamless medium for viewing space, pan to new areas
Static view of the world
GIS animation
Flat and limited in perspectives
3-D visualization with interactive pan and zoom
View of world essentially complete
Data layers turned on and off to examine data combinations
Single, map producer-centric, view of world
Create own, user-centric map in interactive way

22. Map composition
Creating maps with interrelated elements and good visual balance
Map body
Inset/overview map
Title
Legend (or table of contents)
Scale
Direction indicator (north arrow)
Map metadata (sources, date, author)

23. Issues in cartographic design
Colors, shade patterns, and text
Perception of colors and symbols
Eyes have limitations (stop at twelve colors and 7-8 shades)
Legibility of features and text
Smallest symbol that can be read at certain distance
Visual contrast and hierarchy
Variation in size or graytone value
Helps reader to focus on important areas first
Visual balance
Careful of symbols and visual weight

24. Range of visual resources
Attribute mapping
Cartographers reduce world to points, lines, areas
Bertin’s The Semiology of Graphics (1983), inventories resources using the categories of size, shape, value, texture or pattern, hue, orientation, and shape

25. Use of visual resources
Each resource can be used
Individually to draw attention to map features
Simultaneously to
Stress important information
Improve legibility

26. Effective map making
As you develop a design for a map, think carefully about every element
Does it play an essential function?
Could it be simplified?
Does it require elaboration?
Is it of critical importance to reader comprehension, or only of background interest?
Everything that appears on a map should be there for a defensible reason relating to message and audience

27. Less is more
Consider ways to simplify your design and make it more legible
Too much detail or too complex a layout can confuse readers
Do not avoid experiments, but test them carefully with potential readers

28. Concepts
Multivariate mapping
Map series

29. Multivariate Mapping
Show two or more variables for comparative purposes
E.g., rainfall and malaria risk
Requires experienced and/or artistic cartographer/GIS Specialist
Can be difficult to show

30. Map series and templates
Collections of similar maps (e.g., atlas)
Costly, inefficient to change
Map templates are cost effective
Atlas, map series, or map books require considerable financial and human resource investments to create and maintain
Templates can be manual or automated to produce
Contain same map elements and layer symbology
Share projection and general layout

31. Map limitations Maps can lie accidentally or on purpose
E.g., Incorrect use of symbols convey wrong message by highlighting one feature at expense of other
Single realization of a spatial process
E.g., A map of soil textures is derived by interpolating soil sample texture measurements. Repeated sampling shows natural variation in texture measurements (not a single map)
Often created using complex rules, symbology, conventions
Difficult to understand and interpret by untrained viewer
Multivariate thematic mapping where classification schemes and color symbology difficult to comprehend

32. Review – Maps and Cartography
Name five factors that control cartographic design.
General or _____ maps show location or positional types of data.
Both quantitative and qualitative thematic maps show distribution of an attribute, and (generally) depict a _____ attribute or relationship.
Quantitative thematic maps depict data with equal importance at a nominal scale. (T/F)
Human eyes have limitations, which stop at _____ colors and _____ shades.
Legibility of features and text refers to the smallest symbol that can be read at certain distance. (T/F)
Multivariate mapping shows _____ variables for comparative purposes.
In Bertins book, The Semiology of Graphics, what does semiology mean?
Maps can lie accidentally or on purpose. How?
Mapping is the art, science, and techniques of making maps (T/F).
Name five factors that control cartographic design. PURPOSE, REALITY, AVAILABLE DATA, MAP SCALE, AUDIENCE, CONDITIONS OF USE, TECHNICAL LIMITS
Both quantitative and qualitative thematic maps show distribution of an attribute, and (generally) depict a _____ attribute or relationship. SINGLE
General or _____ maps show location or positional types of data. REFERENCE
Quantitative thematic maps depict data with equal importance at a nominal scale. (T/F) False – Qualitative
Human eyes have limitations, which stop at _____ colors and _____ shades. Twelve, and 7-8
Legibility of features and text refers to the smallest symbol that can be read at certain distance. (T/F) True
Multivariate mapping shows _____ variables for comparative purposes. TWO or MORE
In Bertins book, The Semiology of Graphics, what does semiology mean? Study of signs? Symbology? Simplifying? Sorting?
Maps can lie accidentally or on purpose. How? Incorrect use of symbols convey wrong message by highlighting one feature at expense of other
Mapping is the art, science, and techniques of making maps (T/F). False - Cartography

33. Presenting Data

34. Objectives Presenting Data Creating maps in ArcMap
Printing and plotting maps

35. Creating maps in ArcMap
Design in Layout view
Data frames organize layers
Map elements are added to a virtual page
Maps stored as MXD files
Data location
Layer properties

36. Setting up the page Remember the purpose
Will the map be viewed up close or at a distance?
What is the best page size?
Landscape or portrait?
What printer will be used? What are printer size limitations?
File  Page and Print Setup

37. Inserting map elements
Map body
Title
Legend
North arrow
Scale bar
Other text

38. Legend Properties dialog
Five windows to set up Legend 1 2 3 4 5

39. Adding a north arrow and scale bar
Graphical scale bar
Fractional scale
Verbal scale bar
Change unit, increments, color, font
Change angle, size, color

40. Inserting textual information
Text box prompt
Title
Data source, date, projection
Date of map and data
Disclosures and acknowledgments
Author
Double-click text

41. Layout tools Zoom and pan the layout page
Zoom is different than Data view Zoom tool
Scale remains same in Layout view
Additional layout settings from Tools  Options
Add charts and reports

42. Grids and rulers Determine the size of map elements
Use guides to arrange elements
Use grids to position elements at specific points
Use snapping for precision and efficiency

43. Creating and using map templates
Gives all maps in a series the same look
ArcMap templates (show how to create and access)
Create your own
File  Save As

44. Printing and plotting maps
File  Print
Choose a Printer Engine (ArcPress, PostScript, Windows)

45. Review – Presenting Data
Maps are designed in the ______ view.
How do the zoom tools on the Layout toolbar differ from those on the Data view Tools toolbar?
Why would you create or use a map template?
What map elements can be added to a map layout?
Map templates gives all maps in a series a unique look. (T/F)
Maps are designed in the ______ view. LAYOUT
How do the zoom tools on the Layout toolbar differ from those on the Data view Tools toolbar? SCALE REMAINS SAME IN LAYOUT VIEW
Why would you create or use a map template? GIVES ALL MAPS IN A SERIES A UNIFORM LOOK
What map elements can be added to a map layout? TITLE, MAP BODY, LEGEND, NORTH ARROW, SCALE BAR, OTHER TEXT
Map templates gives all maps in a series a unique look. (T/F) False – same look

46. Remainder of Class Break SANDAG publications/writing about maps
Quick Demonstration: Inserting maps and graphics in PowerPoint
Lab:
ESRI Chapter 18 Making maps from templates
ESRI Chapter 19 Making maps for presentation