Getting My Fingers Wet in Adobe Illustrator

This week's module had us get into Adobe Illustrator.  This was a first for me and took some time getting around all the ins and outs of the program.  I have limited Photoshop experience from long ago, so that at least helped me navigate some of the basics, in particular that of managing layers. 

One thing I learned about was the power of scripting to make mass changes easy.  Take this for example from my process summary:

"For this lab I did a google search to find a symbol changing script.  I found one created by an Adobe user named Jet and it was linked on another user’s webpage.  I downloaded the script, selected the symbols I wanted to change, and then ran the script.  After the script was completed, I had to move the changed objects back to their appropriate sub-layers.  The file for the script was saved for later use."

My personal design preferences may not be the best.  I have never claimed to being artistically competent in any fashion.  To complicate things, being color blind doesn't help much.  So with that stated, I do welcome any suggestions that anyone cares to offer as a comment to this post.  

Below is a copy of the map I created for this module.  Hope you enjoy it!

This week we learned about early history of mapping and also key map design principles.  Based on these principles, we were tasked with finding what we thought was a well-designed map as well as a poorly designed map.  Below are my examples along with my brief reviews of the maps. 

Well-Designed Map

Overall, I feel this is a well-designed map.  The key Map Design Principles (20 Tufteisms) I feel this map most meets are:

• ·         5.  Graphical excellence requires telling the truth about the data: There is no further truth on this map than depicting the correct locations of the archaeological sites on the map.
• ·         7.  Clear, detailed, and thorough labeling should be used to defeat graphical distortion and ambiguity: Labels are used throughout the map, where labeling could become ambiguous, lines are drawn from label to point, defeating any uncertainty about what is being labeled.
• ·         13. Above all else, show the data: Clearly the data is shown in this map.  All archaeological sites are clearly depicted on the map.

For my own preferences and as a tourist to this island, I like how this map shows where key points are, how I could possibly get to them using the island’s road infrastructure, and despite being colorblind, I am able to distinguish the elevation levels on the map which would tell me how hard of a hike I would have if I chose to walk to some of these sites.

Poorly-Designed Map

Overall, I feel this is a poorly-designed map.  The key Map Design Principles (20 Tufteisms) I feel this map most meets are:

• ·         2. Graphical excellence consists of complex ideas communicated with clarity, precision, and efficiency:  This map was single minded and did not clearly convey its message. 
• ·         3. Graphical excellence is that which gives to the viewer the greatest number of ideas in the shortest time with the least ink in the smallest space: In my opinion, this map failed to do this.  The symbology was grossly inappropriate and didn’t tell the correct story.  Much time had to be invested to determine where even the capital cities belonged and if one was not familiar with their states/capitals, it would be difficult to determine what is what on this map.
• ·         9.  Show data variation, not design variation: Here is where I don’t feel that the designer effectively displayed the variation in data in a way that makes it easy to interpret the map, let alone gather what message they were trying to convey.  What does it matter if a capital city has a large population or not?  What are you comparing that to? 

My critique of this map and suggestions for improvement would involve mainly redesigning how you display your capital city population densities.  I would suggest using color variations vice size of the symbology to convey this message.  Then, the symbology could be placed correctly at their appropriate locations on the map.  Next, I would find the “so what?” to compare it to.  What does a state capital’s population density mean compared to “X”?  Finally, more map elements: scale bars, more effective legend, maybe a text box explanation of what is going on.  There is much to improve upon in regards to basic map elements.  

Hello Fellow Computer Cartographers! I'm Jason!

Hello Everybody!

As the title says, I'm Jason and I will be joining you all in this fun mapping experience we are about to embark upon.  A little about myself: I am 38 years old, married, and have two kids (ages 14 & 10).  I have a BS in Computer Science and I am working on a second BS in Environmental Management.  This second degree is just buying time as I work through the application process for the Master's program in GIS Administration.  During my 20+ years in the work force I have worked in metal injection molding (we made small metal parts), I have been an officer in the Marine Corps (recently left the reserves as a Major), and since I left the active duty Marine Corps I have been working as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton where I have been on contract with the Navy for the last 4 years doing cyber security. 

This will be my third/fourth GIS related course that I have/am taking here at UWF.  Last semester I completed Intro to GIS and Photo Interpretation/Remote Sensing.  This semester I am of course in this cartography course and am also taking GIS Management (an approved Master's level course). 

My main goal right now is to execute a career transition from cyber security to that of forest management with the US Forest Service.  This is the main reason as to why I am back in school while still working a full time job to support my family. 

Adjectives that describe me: stubborn, determined, goal minded.

Below is my Story Map.  You will see that I have been a few places in the world, some are pictured in the map, some are not.  I have also been all over the USA.  If you like what you see or have any questions about me or where I have been, comment below!


Story Map: http://arcg.is/2r3nwTG