GIS3015 Cartographic Skills Student Spotlight- Proportional Symbols Mapping

GIS3015 Cartographic Skills, Instructor, Mrs. Trisha Holtzclaw

Proportional Symbols Mapping 

This week we used the Query Builder to isolate data in ArcMap  and created proportional symbols in both ArcMap and AI. We also calculated proportional symbol size using mathematical scaling method and used custom symbol templates in ArcMap and AI. Additionally, there was the option to create circular labels in AI.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Complete a base map in ArcGIS
• Calculate proportional circle diameters utilizing the mathematical scaling method
• Construct a proportional circle map utilizing proper mapping techniques

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exceptional work on the Proportional Symbols Mapping  assignment:

Lynne Johnson

About Lynne: Lynne joins us from Madison, Wisconsin. She has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Journalism but is currently trying to get into Marine Conservation. She is hoping that this GIS certificate program will give her a little push in the right direction. I think you've come to the right place. Welcome to the spotlight! :)

What we like: Lynne's maps were simple, to the point, and overall visually pleasing. We like the color scheme chosen and the clear, easy to read labels. She provided precisely what we wanted from this lab. Great job!

"In this weeks lab, we explored proportional symbol maps and different ways to portray information.  In the above map, Figure 1, you can see how cluttered it is.  It was a very basic map, almost thrown together.  The main purpose of this map is to show one way of using a proportional symbol.  The circle sizes are directly related to how much wine (by 1000's of liters) was consumed in Europe in 2010.  We had the options of using a solid circle, hollow circle or with a symbol of a wine bottle.  While the bottle itself was neat, it proved to be misleading and confusing.  I decided to go with the hollow circle because I thought it was easiest to understand."

"In Figure 2, we zoomed up to contain mostly western Europe.  This makes it easier to decipher the countries.  As for the symbol that was used, it's a combination of a solid (yet transparent) circle with a wine bottle graphic.  Again, the size of the bottle and circle were proportional to the amount of wine consumed in that country in the year 2010.  I learned a lot during this lab and can see how transparency, proportional symbols and an area specific map can really turn things around!"