This week’s lab assignment was pretty difficult for me because the ArcGIS software has so many different features that I didn’t really know how to create a cohesive story with my dataset. So, here’s the vision to go along with the map I embedded below. I entered the top 5 places I frequent most on campus (Sayles, West Gym, the Rec, Watson, and Anderson). I included orange dots of different sizes based on the respective frequencies of my visits. I chose to represent frequency with dot size because it felt like a straightforward way to communicate how often I visit each location, and I liked how it immediately draws attention to my most common spots on campus. I debated adding a heat map layer or using color gradients, but ultimately decided simplicity would make the data clearer. The largest orange dots represent the places I visit 7 times per week, and then the sizes decrease from there. I added labels that tell the viewer the name of the location and the number that corresponds with the size of the dot. The results are below!
This should have been a very simple map to create, but as I mentioned, I struggled a lot with the niche features (especially symbology) that we didn’t really have a chance to try in class on Thursday. Then, there was the process of creating a Web App, which is linked here. When you open it, you have to open the map called “Campus Map” and manually zoom in all the way to Northfield. Not ideal, I know. Although I faced a lot of struggles with this software, I do see how it could be useful for historical comparisons, environmental studies, and geology projects. I think the software can be invaluable for visualizing change over time or frequency of travel, like we did for this assignment. Also, interactive maps make it easier for viewers to explore data themselves, which adds engagement that’s harder to achieve in regular humanities.
2 thoughts on “Mapping Campus Frequencies”
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Hi Megan, I really like the way you chose to create your map! The colors stand out from the background and are bright and eye-catching! Great job persevering through your struggles with the symbology and creating the Web App, it was definitely a learning curve for me as well but there’s enough potential that makes this struggle worthwhile.
Hi Megan, your map looks great! I like how you reflected on the balance between simplicity and clarity in your map design. Your choice to use dot size to convey frequency really emphasizes the most important locations without overwhelming the viewer, which makes me think about how subtle design decisions can shape interpretation. I also appreciate your point about interactivity, like being able to explore the data yourself adds a type of engagement that static maps just can’t provide.