GIS5007 M3 Cartographic Design Lab

 This week we were introduced to land partitioning in the first part of out studies to gain a better understanding of land land partitioning systems.  We examined the history from meets and bounds to USPLS (United States Public Land Survey). We also looked at the changes that have come about with the advent of GIS and the trends toward more accurate corners being located and given latitude and longitude coordinates.

The other portion of this module was focused on the cartographic design process. First and foremost, always design your map with the end user in mind. We were introduced to Gestalt principles and how they relate to cartographic design. We delved into the implementation of visual hierarchy, utilization of contrast and establishment of figure-ground relationships. We looked at the layout to make sure that balance was achieved through appropriate placement of map elements and proper inclusion, exclusion. All of this has to come together in the creation of a good map.

For our lab we were given a very basic map and a set of guidelines. It was our job to put of this new knowledge to work and create a map with solid cartographic design principles.  I learned a lot in this exercise not the least of which was that it is more challenging than it sounds. Another important lesson was to keep in mind that you have to have a stopping point.  You could literally fine tune you map to eternity,

Here is my before and after:

     

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