Addison's GIS Journey

This lab covered isarithmic mapping which depict smooth, continuous phenomena across an area. The phenomena is measured at control points and then interpolated using the most appropriate method. This lab focused on mapping annual precipitation data of Washington state over a 30 year period.  The data was prepared with PRISM (Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model) interpolation method. PRISM integrates elevation data using a digital elevation model (DEM) to account for the relationship between precipitation and elevation. For each DEM grid cell, a climate-elevation regression is calculated, with input stations weighted based on physiographic similarity. Key factors include location, elevation, coastal proximity, topographic orientation, vertical atmospheric layer, topographic position, and terrain effectiveness. Hypsometric tints was used to best represent the dataset. The precipitation color scheme in ArcGIS was chosen to represent the precipitation which wa...

Choropleth mapping is a thematic map in which enumeration units are shaded by intensity proportional to the data values associated with those units. The polygons are then shaded in proportion to the measurement of the data being displayed. Proportional or graduated symbol maps are used to depict size variables to represent differences in the information of the polygons.  In this lab we mapped population density and wine consumption across European countries. A choropleth map was produced showing population density of the countries. Graduated symbology was then used to show the wine consumption within these countries.  The population density was chosen over raw population counts to better represent the results throughout Europe. Population density takes into account the area with the population creating more accurate results. The wine consumption data was used and did not need to be normalized as it was already represented in liters per capita. The color scheme I chose is a con...

The data classification lab focused on analyzing census data using four different classification methods. The four different classification methods included: Equal Interval, Quantile, Standard Deviation, and Natural Breaks. By using the same data with four different classification methods we were able to to see how differently data can be presented.  Equal Interval: The equal interval classification class breaks are determined by dividing the range into desired number of equal-width class intervals. With the classes being divided into equal-width classes it makes the map easy to interpret and can help map complex spatial patterns. The classes do not consider the distribution of the data on a number line. Quantile:  The quantile classification equally divides the total number of values into the desired number of classes. An issue with using this method is that it can place similar values into different classes or different values in the same class . Standard Deviation:  Th...

This week was focused on cartographic design and implementing Gestalt's Principles of perceptual organization into map making. These principles try to describe the manner in which the map user see the components of the image and then organize them. Cartographic examples of Gestalt's principles include: closure, common fate, continuity, figure-ground, proximity, similarity, smallness/area, and symmetry. With this lab ward 7 schools within the Washington D.C. area were mapped (Figure 1). Principle's focused on while making this map were visual hierarchy, contrast, figure-ground, and balance.  Figure 1 I implemented visual hierarchy by using thematic symbols to represent the schools. The map extent and roads are different shades of gray helping them blend into the background and help the schools stand out. By placing the title in a dark gray box with white font at the top of the map it makes it easily identifiable. The legends of school’s types and list of schools with names a...