Joe Copsey GIS

 This week I learned about isarithmic maps, a type of thematic map used to depict continuous data such as weather phenomena. This map I created shows the annual precipitation in Washington state between 1981 and 2010. The data on the map was collected and interpolated using PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model), a method that utilizes a digital elevation model (DEM) to accurately report precipitation. The map uses hypsometric tint to display the precipitation data, broken into classes and using contour lines to express elevation.

  This week I created a choropleth map based on the principles I've learned. A choropleth map is a thematic map that uses color mapping symbology to represent data. You have likely seen one of these in the form of an election map. The choropleth map above uses proportional symbolling, symbols that scale with the data, to depict wine consumption in Europe in 2012 compared to the population density in each country.

This week I learned about the different ways data can be classified and how it affects the outcome of you map. These maps depicting the distribution of people aged 65 years or over compare the equal interval, quantile, natural breaks, and standard deviation data classifications. You can see how each map is impacted by how the data is classified, and just how different they can be. This is why it is important to know which data classification is best to use for your purposes and audience.  

  This week I learned about the elements of cartographic design based on Gestalt Principles of perceptual organization. This meant properly implementing principles such as visual hierarchy, contrast, figure-ground, and balance to create an optimal map. I created this map of public schools located in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. with these principles in mind.

 This week I learned about the importance and impact of typography in the world of cartography, and how to properly apply it to my maps. I was able to make this map depicting Florida's major cities, rivers, and swamps using the skills I learned. I particularly enjoyed learning how to curve the labels along the flow of the rivers, to make the map more interesting and easier to read.