Overview

Overview

Welcome to Lesson 9! Last week, we discussed some of the new technologies that have been influential on current trends in cartography, including interactive and animated maps and 3D visualization. While interactive and dynamic maps present a myriad of opportunities for creating new and exciting designs, they also introduce many new challenges. Studies of interactive maps draw from research not only in cartography and psychology but in other cognate fields such as human computer interaction (HCI), human factors, and usability engineering. We will discuss various approaches for studying dynamic maps in this lesson.

Dynamic maps change based on interactions (either active or passive) by the map reader. In such cases, we begin to consider the map reader as, instead, a map user. Additionally, as these maps typically appear alongside other media (e.g., supplemental charts, article text, videos), we also consider these map-adjacent elements and how they influence the user experience. In Lab 9, we put this knowledge to use and design an interactive data visualization story with the data storytelling platform StoryMaps.

Lesson 9 is a two-week effort.For this lesson, you will choose a spatially-related map topic. This topic can be any spatially-related idea and be focused on anywhere in the world. Once the topic is selected, you will need to acquire appropriate datasets. You will be asked to create three (3) interactive maps. The maps should reflect datasets that support and explain the spatial distribution of the topic of your choosing. The map designs should be cast along a common theme and be supportive of the overall topic. Here is a breakdown of what you should aim to accomplish during the two weeks.

In the first week, you should...

• Choose a topic of interest for Lab 9
• Collect appropriate data in support of your topic of interest
• Download, clean, and format, your data in a spreadsheet
• Design three (3) separate maps using your chosen data using ArcGIS Online
• Select appropriate symbolization methods, color schemes, data classifications, titles, map marginalia, etc. for all maps
• Apply a consistent design theme to all maps for a consistent and coherent appearance

In the second week, you should

• Develop a StoryMaps narrative that "tells" your story in a cohesive presentation
• Integrate your three (3) maps into the StoryMaps as supporting evidence for that story
• Apply a consistent overall design and theme to the StoryMaps environment that complements and is complemented by the three (3) maps
• Include descriptive text throughout your StoryMaps that explains what each map shows and how that information adds to the overall narrative

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• discuss how the advent of the interactive map has added additional dimensions to the study of map design;
• compare different methods of map evaluation, including experimental and design studies;
• generate insights using (geo)visual analytic tools by exploring maps with linked, coordinated views;
• write supporting text that facilitates effective communication of a map or other visualization’s data and ideas;
• create an engaging interactive data visualization story, integrating design knowledge obtained throughout the course.

Lesson Roadmap

Questions?

If you have questions, please feel free to post them to the Lesson 7 Discussion Forum. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help a classmate.