Chapter3.Presenting GIS Data
Objectives
Learning basic elements of creating good maps
Choosing appropriate coordinate systems for mapping
Learning to label features with annotation
Creating map layouts and printed maps
Mastering the Concepts
GIS Concepts
GIs analysis often results in sharing information with others in the form of maps or reports whether you are creating a large poster-style map a page-sized map or a report a few guidelines help in devising a map design that expresses the essence of the data and gets the message across this chapter introduces some basic ways to communicate ideas to others but it cannot cover the full range of concepts included in the art and science of cartography taking a cartography class or reading some map design texts are good ways to improve your skills
Basic elements of map design
A map can be a work of art as well as a vehicle of information and these two aspects support each other by designing the map carefully and using some basic guides to style you can maximize the transfer of information and also present yourself as a competent professional a poorly designed map gives the opposite impression
When pen and ink were involved people spent more time on design to make a good map with minimum effort now that computers can quickly create and modify maps the design step is often ignored people may not even take advantage of the computer wonderful ability to try out different designs and many bad maps result high-quality maps require planning attention to detail and aesthetic sense the basic process follows these steps
Determine the objectives of the map what is being communicated who is likely to use the map and under what circumstances the use of the map will guide some important design decisions such as how big the text must be a map being projected on a screen to a large
Audience needs simplicity large text and bold colors a highway travel map needs more details
Decide on the data layers to be included computers provide a big advantage here because one can easily add or remove layers as the map takes shape and can change a design decision if it does not appear to work in practice
Plan a layout that includes all the frames and other map elements( legends etc )needed following some simple guidelines about placing the elements yields more elegant