The first lab focused on viewing maps a different way. Not just reading them, but critiquing and understanding what makes a well designed map and a poorly designed one. Funny enough, I also had eye surgery this week. So it's like gaining a new set of eyes literally and figuratively. Although I'm straining to type this, it wasn't a strain to learn how to view maps a different way. In a way, it was eye opening. I had never completed an exercise in which I had to thoroughly critique another map. Having completed the Intro to GIS course, I gained an understanding of what it takes to make a map in Arcmap. But this assignment allowed me to understand the visual aspect and how important it actually is in conveying information. So listed below are two maps, one well made and another poorly designed, along with their corresponding evaluation.
The map easily covers Tufteisms 2 and 3, which are the communication of complex ideas with clarity and precision, along with clear, detailed, and thorough labeling. The title of the map informs us these are the different game zones set in the state of South Carolina. Looking at the map, we can see all the counties of the state separated into different colors as well as being numbered. The legend presents the corresponding colors to the numbers. I like how the colors chosen are distinguishable from one another, as in not using varying shades of blue or green, for example, which could cause confusion especially if the different shades had little light or dark variation. I like the effective use of space, in that the area contained within the border doesn’t have any blank areas nor is all the information crammed to one side. Hunting laws can often be confusing since bag limits, method of harvest, and other requirements tend to vary by zones as seen the map. For someone who wishes to comply by the laws of their county and subsequent zone, conveying where they lie quickly and effectively is of upmost importance. Lastly, number 4 of the British “Principles of Cartographic Design” is also covered. It states “Maximum Information at Minimum Cost” and this map is a perfect example. Since hunting laws tend to change every year and sometimes during the season, having someone quickly update and present the information is important to keep people informed. When comparing this map, which was drafted in 2009, to that of the current listed on the website, the template remains the same with just added information. This would make sense, since doing a complete redesign wouldn’t be cost or time effective.
The biggest fault of this map is breaking Commandment 4 of Tufteisms, which is to Minimize Map Crap. Although it is clear the intended purpose was to give an overall view of the oil slick caused by the Deepwater Horizon explosion, there is too much information to be thrown into just one map. The map shows every single BP owned and active pipeline along with every total active oil platform. The issue here is that there’s 43,656 miles of pipelines and 3,701 oil platforms. Given the scale, this turns into an ambiguous network of lines and points, with these elements becoming congested and overlapping one another. It is impossible to pull any information from this map other than there are a lot of pipelines and oil platforms in this area. Also, with the color gradient shown to present the oil extent per day, it overlaps the other features including blending with the BP owned pipelines since the same shade of green occurs again. Number 2 of the “Five Principles of Cartographic Design” states “Hierarchy with Harmony.” There are simply too many features placed into the map and while overlapping is fine in some instances, it clearly does not work here.
My input would be to determine which features are truly relevant. If the purpose is to show the oil extent per day, then all outlying pipelines and platforms could be removed. Regarding scale, focusing on the area south of Mobile would be better. This would allow us to see the area of the oil slick in full extent, making the color gradient more decipherable. Also, if the oil slick extent is transparent for us to see the pipelines and oil platform features, then different colors need to be chosen.
The map easily covers Tufteisms 2 and 3, which are the communication of complex ideas with clarity and precision, along with clear, detailed, and thorough labeling. The title of the map informs us these are the different game zones set in the state of South Carolina. Looking at the map, we can see all the counties of the state separated into different colors as well as being numbered. The legend presents the corresponding colors to the numbers. I like how the colors chosen are distinguishable from one another, as in not using varying shades of blue or green, for example, which could cause confusion especially if the different shades had little light or dark variation. I like the effective use of space, in that the area contained within the border doesn’t have any blank areas nor is all the information crammed to one side. Hunting laws can often be confusing since bag limits, method of harvest, and other requirements tend to vary by zones as seen the map. For someone who wishes to comply by the laws of their county and subsequent zone, conveying where they lie quickly and effectively is of upmost importance. Lastly, number 4 of the British “Principles of Cartographic Design” is also covered. It states “Maximum Information at Minimum Cost” and this map is a perfect example. Since hunting laws tend to change every year and sometimes during the season, having someone quickly update and present the information is important to keep people informed. When comparing this map, which was drafted in 2009, to that of the current listed on the website, the template remains the same with just added information. This would make sense, since doing a complete redesign wouldn’t be cost or time effective.
The biggest fault of this map is breaking Commandment 4 of Tufteisms, which is to Minimize Map Crap. Although it is clear the intended purpose was to give an overall view of the oil slick caused by the Deepwater Horizon explosion, there is too much information to be thrown into just one map. The map shows every single BP owned and active pipeline along with every total active oil platform. The issue here is that there’s 43,656 miles of pipelines and 3,701 oil platforms. Given the scale, this turns into an ambiguous network of lines and points, with these elements becoming congested and overlapping one another. It is impossible to pull any information from this map other than there are a lot of pipelines and oil platforms in this area. Also, with the color gradient shown to present the oil extent per day, it overlaps the other features including blending with the BP owned pipelines since the same shade of green occurs again. Number 2 of the “Five Principles of Cartographic Design” states “Hierarchy with Harmony.” There are simply too many features placed into the map and while overlapping is fine in some instances, it clearly does not work here.
My input would be to determine which features are truly relevant. If the purpose is to show the oil extent per day, then all outlying pipelines and platforms could be removed. Regarding scale, focusing on the area south of Mobile would be better. This would allow us to see the area of the oil slick in full extent, making the color gradient more decipherable. Also, if the oil slick extent is transparent for us to see the pipelines and oil platform features, then different colors need to be chosen.
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