Module 3- Cartography- Cartographic Design

             The purpose of this week’s lab was to implement effective map making strategies that we learned in lecture. We studied Gestalt’s principles of visual hierarchy, contrast, and figure ground as well as learned techniques for maintaining balance among the map elements. The assignment was to use what we learned to make a map depicting the location of public schools in Ward 7, Washington, D.C.

I used ArcGIS pro and the data provided, which was obtained from District of Columbia Open Data. I knew I needed to make two maps for my layout- a map of Ward 7 as well as an inset map to show the location of Ward 7 in relation to greater Washington D.C. I maintained a streamlined color scheme through both maps and chose a darker gray for the background of Washington D.C. while emphasizing Ward 7 with a lighter gray color. I clipped my schools to those located within Ward 7 and chose to make my school symbols bright red to visually emphasize them. I chose a pushpin symbol that made them look like they were closer to the reader.

 I chose to make major roads and highways/interstates a medium gray color that would show up on both images well, but still not take away from the primary focal point- the schools. I displayed all the minor roads in Ward 7 on the main map but made them lighter. I included parks and water features although I clipped the parks to show only those within Ward 7 on the main map and left them off the inset map. I maintained visual hierarchy by emphasizing key features, titles, and my legend but significantly decreasing the emphasis scale bars and source information.

Here is my final map.