Final Project

For the final project in Cartographic Skills class we assumed the scenario of being a cartographer at the National Center for Education Statistics. The assignment was to create a single map showing the 2013 average ACT scores and percent of graduates tested in the continental United States for intended submission to the Washington Post newspaper. We were to consider all the elements we have learned in this class to create an accurate and attractive map. 

After a little research on the Washington Post reading audience and types of thematic methods, I began building my map. I projected my basemaps to North American Albers Equal Area Conic which maintains area proportional to the ground; important for data aggregated from an entire state. I used choropleth mapping to show the distribution of ACT scores across the country and their relationship to their enumeration unit (state). I then used proportional symbols for the percent of graduates tested data to show the proportion of the value within each state. I chose Manual classification based off of a Natural Breaks 5 class scheme, with a 6th class added to capture two low-value outliers. This classification scheme highlighted a wider range of values than just 5 classes and stayed clear of potential hue differentiation problems that can occur with 7 or more classes. The range of colors is easily read and my proportional symbols are not so small they are hard to see or so large they create significant overlap. I added an inset for clarity in the DC area. My design choices centered around my research on previous Washington Post maps which were crisp looking, primarily used low intensity and non-garish colors, and had limited embellishments. I organized my data frames to keep HI and AK in their relatively true geographic locations, added North America and a small glow behind the US to increase figureground, and chose complementary colors for a balanced, attractive map. 

This map and the class overall has been very enjoyable. Although cartography seems awfully similar to graphic design (a field I purposefully chose to leave in 2003) I have found the cartographic themes and debates in class and through class-related research to be quite interesting. For every project I did a little reading on a lot of subjects, including data classification, typography, mapping methods, and map design. I spent time looking at existing maps, finding what I felt worked or didn't work in each, and unintentionally developed a style along the way. Thanks to my professor for providing a rewarding class and potential career direction inspiration. 

Two datasets shown with choropleth and proportional symbol mapping methods.