Module 3 - Cartographic Design in ArcGIS Pro

A good map should meet the user’s needs, be easy to use, accurate, clear, communicative, and visually appealing. There is no best way to create a map that is why it is important to follow rules and guidelines to support design choices. Module 3 introduces us to Gestalt’s principles of perceptual organization, developed in 1920. The theory explain how humans perceive individual components of a graphical image and subsequently organize these components into a cohesive whole.

The main key concepts for Gestalt’s map principle are visual hierarchy, contrast, figure-ground, and visual balance. Visual hierarchy organizes map elements based on their importance, highlighting essential features and minimizing less critical information. Contrast creates visual distinction between features using variations in spacing, size, shape, and color. The figure-ground relationship emphasizes the importance of assigning greater visual prominence to map features that are pertinent to the subject, thereby creating an illusion of proximity for the map user. Visual balance involves creating a balanced layout by adjusting the size, weight, and orientation of the map.

In this lab I will be creating a map showing public schools in Ward 7, Washington D.C. area and applying Gestalt’s principle in our map design. The design process starts with deciding how to share the map, this will influence the color schemes, scale, and file format. Next, choosing the scale and projection, then classifying and symbolizing the data. Finally, evaluating the map for clarity and making revisions if needed.

All necessary data for this lab has been provided. Upon adding the layers to a new project in ArcGIS Pro, I discovered that the school layer included all schools in the Washington D.C. area. At first, I utilized the "Select by Location" tool to isolate only the schools in the Ward 7 area and subsequently created a new layer from the selected schools. The primary objective of the map is to illustrate the locations of public schools in the Ward 7 area of Washington, D.C. My aim was to present the schools' locations with utmost clarity and to create a visual hierarchy. To achieve this, I employed a distinct Magenta color to symbolize the schools, setting them apart from other entities on the map. While maintaining a consistent symbol for all schools, I incorporated various color hues to represent different types of schools—elementary, middle, and high schools—and adjusted their sizes to enhance visual differentiation. Furthermore, I labeled the schools using larger text compared to other labels and added a halo effect for added emphasis.

For the road layer I applied a red color with varying thickness to the highways, contrasting with the dark gray used for the major roads, which establishes a clear hierarchy. Additionally, I utilized a dark gray color with a thinner line for the minor roads in comparison to the major roads. Although the map includes all roads, I have labeled only the major roads and highways to maintain clarity and improve readability.

For Ward 7 area layer, I propose utilizing a lighter color to differentiate it from the neighboring regions, thereby highlighting the study area and enhancing the overall figure-ground relationship. After testing several colors, I ultimately chose Mango color, as it effectively accentuates the study area. Moreover, this color improves the visibility of other colors within the vicinity. Additionally, I employed a dark brown dashed line to delineate the boundaries of the neighborhood clusters, as this color complements the Mango hue without overwhelming it. I also used the same color for labeling neighborhoods. Furthermore, applying a light gray color to the surrounding area effectively accentuated the focus on the study area.

The process of creating the layout and achieving a balanced design encountered challenges due to the geographical representation of the Washington, D.C. area and the specific location of Ward 7. A significant amount of white space surrounding the map needed to be effectively utilized for various map elements and information. I strategically arranged the elements based on their size and the data they represented. The legend was positioned in the top right corner of the map, utilizing the available space, while the inset map was placed in the upper left area. The north arrow and scale bar were located in the lower right section. To ensure layout balance, I utilized the remaining white space to incorporate a table listing school names and addresses. Furthermore, I selected a larger font for the title, positioning it at the top, which was the most appropriate location. The source data, preparer's name, and date were included at the bottom of the layout, using a smaller font size than the other text elements in the map layout.

In conclusion, the utilization of color to establish hierarchy and contrast within maps plays a crucial role in this exercise. The selection of colors should be strategically employed to improve the legibility of the map. Features that require emphasis should be assigned colors that distinctly stand out and contrast with those of less significant elements. Additionally, the color wheel should be utilized as a resource for making good color choices.