My map is embedded below (or linked here), and my .CSV data can be found here. The app created for the map is available here.
As I had only used ArcGIS before for Friday’s blog post, it took me a moment to become oriented with the tools and steps I needed in order to create this map. After importing my data, I began customizing the appearance settings, so as to present the information in a logical way. I made the location markers larger, and also changed their transparency to correspond with the number of days a week I visit each location. As such, the most frequently visited places appear more prominently on the map, while buildings I do not visit as frequently are less noticeable. I also added a polygon layer to the map so as to outline each building, and lowered the transparency on those so that the location pins would still be visible. I chose the Imagery Hybrid basemap, which includes satellite images of the surroundings as well as street and building labels. The combination of these choices resulted in a map that highlights my most visited locations while still providing visual and written information on the surrounding area.
I think that web mapping holds a lot of potential for DH work; for one, as our readings discussed, the act of placing data onto a map can allow for visual patterns and trends within one data set and among many to be realized. When reading through data or primary sources, a scholar may notice trends among one data set, but it is especially difficult to make such connections across many sources, especially if they are geographic in nature. As such, creating maps of data sets can allow for new discoveries and connections to be made across DH work. Web mapping can also allow for large amounts of data to be concentrated in one place, without necessarily needing to be analyzed together. The use of layers in GIS programs allows users to turn on and off different data layers, allowing for different combinations of analysis and comparison. As a result, all of a scholar’s data can be included in the map without creating a visual or informational overload.
ArcGIS in particular can be useful for DH scholarship because of the variety of tools it provides and for the different ways in which a user can export and display their map. While there is a bit of a learning curve to ArcGIS and some of the organization of the tools could be improved, there are many ways that a user can manipulate and display their data to ensure that it is conveying their argument and accessible in such a way that matches the needs of their research project. Additionally, the ability to export maps as Instant Apps and to embed them in web pages allows for quick and easy public access to DH projects that other GIS programs may not provide. This level of access is a major component of DH work and so is a benefit to ArcGIS’s platform.
3 thoughts on “Lab Week 6: Mapping Carleton”
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Hi there! I really enjoyed how you choose to keep the originality of the satellite map and choose to add to it by sketching ontop of it- it brings the map into perspective. I like how you choose to add little pin drops onto the map- also, how did you do it? Was it a style you could choose from? And yes ArgGIS does have a pretty big learning curve to it(the offline desktop version is even worse) because it has so many functions- but its also these complex functions that make it such a powerful tool as you talked about in your post. The Instant Apps function does make it a lot more convenient to share your map. Although, I will say I was initially confused by what their purpose was when I started since there was an “embed” function in the sidebar when you’re creating your map so it seemed redundant to me.
Hi! I really liked how you customized your map with transparent location markers and building outlines to make frequently visited places stand out. I thought this was a great approach and was able to show a pattern of where you visit most frequently, making the map both visually appealing and easy to interpret. I also agree with your thoughts on web mapping’s potential for DH work, especially in making connections across datasets and presenting large amounts of information in a clear way.
I love how you changed the markers! The changes you made really make it clearer, and I really like how you labeled the usage of each building along with the marker. It really adds to the overall visual impact of the map. The transparency aspect of your markers changing with frequency of use is also a nice touch, I did it with color and size but I’m not sure it’s quite as clear.