For this lab assignment, I created a web map that visualizes five key locations that represemts my daily life at Carleton College. The buildings I selected represent the various spaces where I spend most of my time: Watson Hall is where I live, Nourse Hall is where my friend lives, Rec center is where I go work out, Anderson Hall is where most of my classes are happening, and CMC is where I do my homework a lot.
Here’s what I created:
I chose this basemap because it’s cleanness allows the building markers to stand out clearly. For the points representing all the buildings, I change them into symbols that visualize the function of the building. For example, a mini bed symbol for dorm buildings and a hiking symbol for the gym. I believe that this visual differentiation helps viewers quickly understand the functions of each campus building. Besides these, the polygon outline of the buildings helps them popup in the map which better helps the viewers whose not familiar with the campus get the idea of where is the building we are referring to.
Making this map was interesting because it forced me to think about my daily patterns in a completely different way. For instance, I walk between these buildings every single day without really thinking about it, but seeing them laid out on a map made me realize how much my life centers around these buildings. It’s weird to see your routine from a bird’s eye view.
Beyond just making a pretty map, this whole exercise got me thinking about the bigger picture. Web mapping has some serious potential for DH projects. Things that might not be obvious in words become super clear when you map them. For example, I knew I spent a lot of time around Lower Lyman Lake and rec center, but seeing it on the map helps me get an idea of the pattern of where I spend my time on campus. Besides, unlike a static map in a book, web maps let people explore on their own terms. Zoom in, click around, see what interests them. That kind of engagement is crucial for any digital humanities project trying to reach an audience.
This lab turned out to be way more interesting than I expected. I thought I’d just be clicking through a tutorial, but actually seeing my personal geography mapped out was kind of fun. It’s one thing to know you walk between certain buildings every day, but it’s another thing to see that pattern visualized.
2 thoughts on “My Carleton Footprint Map”
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Harrah, I think you did a very good job with your map. I really like the fact that you changed the points on your map to symbols that represent the category of each of the buildings – it makes them easily identifiable when glancing at them. Additionally, I think that the buildings that you chose do a good job telling the story of you your daily life as a Carleton student. I agree with your point at the end that things that are in writing are not always obvious, and having a visual representation such as a map can make them much more clear.
I really liked your idea of adding symbols to each location. It makes the map more fun and engaging. Also, adding a plot point for where you live was a thoughtful way to articulate the map because it helped me differentiate between the two dorms. I agree that this exercise was interesting because it makes you see things from a different perspective through a visual representation. Its a different way to experience and think about space, and it makes you realize things you haven’t before. Nice map and reflection!