Brooke's GIS Blog

 The goals for this lab were to understand the PRISM Interpolation Method, work with continuous raster data, implement continuous tone symbology, utilize the Spatial Analyst Extension, hypsometric symbology, hillshade relief, converting floating raster values to integers, create contours and graphic contours, and manually classify data. I was able to understand the PRISM Interpolation Method as a digital elevation model that assists with obtaining spatial climate data through precipitation stations. To begin the lab, I added precipitation data obtained by the USDA. I changed the symbology to better represent the precipitation, and used ArcGIS' hillshade effect to create elevational dimension. Some adjustments needed to be made to the hillshade effect, like changing the statistics from world to local using a Dynamic Range Adjustment and changing the symbology. The second part of the lab involved the use of hyposometric tints to classify annual precipitation. I effectively learned ho...

The Student Learning Outcomes for this lab were to choose an appropriate color scheme for a choropleth map, create an appropriate legend for classification scheme and map type, implement appropriate classification method for population data, utilize SQL Query Language and query clauses to manipulate data presentation, utilize proportional or graduated symbols and create effective thematic picture symbols. My experience with this lab was very time consuming, there are little aspects that I am not happy with, like the location of some symbology and labels (Russia) but overall I think the map turned out well. I used Adobe Illustrator to create wine bottles which was something new and fun. Ultimately, I think I could have made some minor tweaks to increase the presentability of my map, but I'm still satisfied with what I learned and the result.

 The purpose of this lab was to explore methods of classification, and the results of each classification. The learning outcomes were: demonstrate four common data classification methods, utilize ArcGIS to prepare a map with four data frames, symbolize map for intuitive data acquisition, implement cartographic design principles to create final maps, compare and contrast classification methods, identify classification best suited to represent spatial data for specified audience, compare and contrast data presentation methods and to identify which presentation method is best suited to present the distribution data. I believe I accomplished all the SLOs and enjoyed this lab assignment. The four data classification methods applied were natural breaks, standard deviation, quantile and equal interval. Natural breaks is an algorithm applied to distribute the data as equal as possible into different classes. Standard deviation determines the standard deviations of the data, and classifies ...

  The objectives of this week's lab assignment were to create a map of the Public Schools in Ward 7, Washington, D.C. while compiling with Gestalt's Principles of Visual Hierarchy, Contrast, Figure Ground and Balance. I believe I achieved all the required map elements following Gestalt's Principles. By symbolizing the school type with varying sizes, I achieved contrast. By emphasizing important aspects of my map, like the schools, and reducing those that are reference layers, like the Washington D.C. area, I achieved Figure Ground. Furthermore, I achieved balance by making sure my final pieces of the map were not clustered together and had patterns of spacing.