PrintSummary and Final Tasks
Summary
Congrats on making it to the end of Lesson 5! In this lesson, we learned about color, data classification, and choropleth maps - three topics that are quite inter-related. During our discussion on color models and human color vision, we talked about how to select appropriate color schemes to choropleth maps that represent quantitative data. We learned how to choose a color scheme for a map based on the perceptual progression of our data, as well as how to consider other factors such as map purpose, color accessibility, and data context. We also explored ideas related to data classification. We specifically focused our attention on how to choose a classification method and how that choice can affect the information presented on the map. Choropleth symbolization, while commonly used to map quantitative data, does present limitations in that data are aggregated to an enumeration unit and are assumed to be continuous across that unit which may not be how the data truly are distributed.
In Lab 5, we made pairs of choropleth maps. In doing so, we took on the challenge of making maps that work well both independently and when viewed together. We also compared the visual effect of classed vs. unclassed maps, and considered the impact of each method on reader perception of our maps. In building our final map layouts, we utilized knowledge from earlier lessons, such as legend and layout design. As we move forward with the course, the skills we learn will continue to build upon each other. We will design some more interesting map layouts in Lab 6!
Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 5 tasks!
You have reached the end of Lesson 5! Double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 5 Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 5.