Module 8: Non-Contiguous Cartograms

The biggest problem I had with this map was the projection. If I applied the Robinson World projection, or any other world projections, prior to running the cartogram application, the cartogram output would be at such a large scale it was imperceptible on the small scale world map. I applied the GCS 84, ran the cartogram, then added the Robinson projection. The GCS 84 gives Alaska a stretched out look. The Robinson projection looks more like I expect the world to look. I was guessing on this legend as well. I used the 5 color divergent scheme here, too. So, I added 5 circles. They are only representative of circles that would fall in each division. I prefer the contiguous map. It makes more sense to me visually. In particular, the non-contiguous map is very confusing to look at without the further differentiation a color scheme provides. I made the circles slightly translucent to reveal the base map beneath. It's a bit gaudy looking.

Module 7: Dot Distribution Map

I ended up using a dot value of 3, 1 dot is 3 houses per square mile. I used a dot size of 0.6 points, but later added a stroke of 0.2 points. I choose not to display county names, rivers, lakes, or wetlands so the dots would stand out. I found the map very busy looking with all layers displayed. Plus, I had so much fun making 2289 blue dots I just had to show them off :)

Module 6: Proportional Symbol Map

Choropleth Map Part 2

After coming up with an average population growth for each division, I followed the equal interval formula in the text and came up with a class interval of 4.74%, a high value of 29.6%, and a low value of 5.9%. Equal Interval was probably not the best classification method for this data. The 4th class break, 20.13 - 24.86, is not used. The growth in the mountain division is skewed by Nevada's 66% growth, which is more than twice that of any other mountain division member and, eight times a much as the division slowest growing state, Wyoming at 8.86%. The fact that the entire Northeast and Midwest fell into the first break created a uniformity that's visually unappealing. The grayscale was set manually by percentage in Illustrator. I scaled the divisions down to 75% and moved each around. Seperating each division looked so good on a classmate's blog I had to steal it.

Choropleth Map Part 1

I chose the Albers Equal Area Conic Projection for Hawaii and Alaska because... well, because ArcMap had a specific Albers projection for each state. I assumed they're optimal for each one. It would be odd if the Alaska Albers Equal Area Conic Projection was best suited to, say, Belgium and not the state it was developed for. I chose the North America Albers Equal Area Conic Projection for the lower 48 just to keep the Albers theme going. Actually, the North America Albers projection looks the way I expect the contiguous United States to look. I choose the color scheme to enhance the contrast between states that experienced more or less growth. The red/pink color offered enough visual differentiation in the middle classifications for me to see clearly.

Part 1: Typography (Marathon, FL)

Part 2: Map Composition (South Florida)