Module: Cartographic Design

Cartographers apply many design principles when compiling their maps and constructing page layouts. Five of the main design principles are legibility, visual contrast, figure-ground, hierarchical organization, and balance. Together these form a system for seeing and understanding the relative importance of the content in the map and on the page.

1: Introduction
Cartographers use a multi-disciplinary approach to design the best possible map for a given purpose and a given audience.

2: Visual Hierarchies
Creating a visual hierarchy allows some map features stand out while others recede into the background.

3: Practice with Visual Hierarchy Copy
Design a map for one of the given scenarios using interactive tools.

3: Practice with Visual Hierarchy
Design a map for one of the given scenarios using interactive tools.

4: Visual Variables
Visual Variables presented by Scott Gilman, Spatial Analysis Fellow Environmental Science & Policy

5: Visual Variables Practice
Explore the use of visual variables that show tree diameter at breast height (DBH) on campus. Then answer the questions below.

5.5: Loading data into ArcMap
This video will prepare you for the ArcMap exercises. First, download the layers for the exercises. Then load the layers into ArcMap.

6: Symbology Tab, Part 1
Symbology Tab in ArcMap presented by Scott Gilman, Spatial Analysis Fellow Environmental Science & Policy

7: Symbology Tab, Part 2
How to Visualize Quantitative Data presented by Scott Gilman, Spatial Analysis Fellow Environmental Science & Policy

8: Elements and Export
Map Elements and Export presented by Scott Gilman, Spatial Analysis Fellow Environmental Science & Policy