Module 9 - Map Symbolization

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe a map symbol
2. Discuss basic map symbolization issues
3. List several questions it is helpful to ask to assist in symbolizing your data.
4. List the visual variables that help guide basic map symbolization decisions
5. Compare and contrast the visual variables of shape and size
6. Define color hue and describe the type data it might and might not be used to symbolize appropriately
7. Define color value and describe the type data it might and might not be used to symbolize appropriately
8. Describe how color intensity is best used to symbolize data
9. Desribe some considerations when using texture to symbolize data
10. Define bivariate symbolization
11. Describe the different ways aggregate data can be mapped

TERMS TO KNOW

• map symbolization
• symbol
• symbol by convention
• symbol by resemblence
• points
• lines
• areas
• qualitative
• quantitative
• individual
• aggregate
• visual variables
• shape
• size
• color hue
• color value
• color intensity
• texture
• bivariate
• choropleth
• graduated symbol
• dotmap
• surface map
• cartogram

READING ASSIGNMENT

Chapter 9 of your text - MakingMaps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS

The author's outline for this chapter from the class he teaches using this book - Thanks for sharing Dr. Krygier!

Topographic Map Symbols

ACTIVE LEARNING EXERCISE

Mapping and Modeling Groundwater Chemistry - by importing Excel spreadsheets into ArcGIS 9.2

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is a map symbol?
2. Provide an example of a symbol by resemblance.
3. Provide an example of a symbol by convention.
4. What types of visual variables are appropriate for qualitative data?
5. What types of visual variables are appropriate for quantitative data?
6. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of shape.
7. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of size.
8. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of color hue.
9. Provide an example of a map/layer that would be appropriately symbolized using the visual variable of color value.
10. Describe a choropleth map.
11. How do dot maps symbolize data?
12. What types of data are best represented using graduated symbol maps?
13. What are bivariate maps?
14. What is a cartogram?
15. Describe surface maps. Make sure to mention some design issues.