Summary and Final Tasks

Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

Here we are - at the end of Lesson 2! In this lesson, we learned about two vitally important but occasionally overlooked aspects of map design: the design of labels and other text elements, and the building of a neat, balanced map layout. In Lesson 1, we discussed visual variables and how they can be used to visually encode order and category in map symbols. In Lesson 2, we extended this idea to include map label design. We also discussed order in another context - the creation of a visual hierarchy in a map layout.

As you likely noticed while working on Lab 2, neither adding labels nor designing a map layout are trivial tasks. Something as simple as creating a legend or scale bar requires significant thought and attention. Little details such as the alignment of layout elements may feel like the "last mile" in the making of a map, but they are key for getting your readers' minds to where they ought to go.

Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 2 tasks!

You have reached the end of Lesson 2! Double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 2 Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 3.