Angelique's GIS Portfolio

The purpose of this project is to geographically represent the mean composite SAT scores and participation rates by state for the entire United States of America (USA) as if prepared by the National Center for Education Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education for an article on high school seniors and college entrance scores by the Washington Post. The project uses the college entrance exam scores (SAT scores) for 2014 high school students and test participation rates for 2014 college bound seniors from the College Board and 2017 U.S.A. boundaries from the U.S. Census Bureau. The SAT scores are a mean composite score of all 3 test scores sections, averaged together by state.  The final bivariate map employes Gestalt's principles of visual hierarchy, contrast and figure-ground to show mean composite SAT scores as proportional symbols on an underlying choropleth map with percent participation by state. Both datasets were incorporated on one map utilizing ArcGIS Pro software....

The purpose of this lab was to create a map and tour in Google Earth using layers from a previous ArcGIS Pro lab, the Module 10 Dot Density lab. In order to convert the ArcGIS pro layers from the previous lab into usable files for Google Earth, I used the Layer to KML tool. I converted 3 different feature layers - Counties, Surface Water, and Population - to KML. These layers were then added to Google Earth and placed in a separate file folder for the lab. In order to finalize the dot density map to share with others, I added a legend. To add the legend I created for this project in ArcGIS Pro, I captured the image using the Snipping tool and saved it as a PNG file. I then zoomed into the area I wanted it in Google Earth and used the Image Overlay option under the Add drop down menu. I then scaled and oriented the image as needed. In order to change the order of the layers, I right-clicked the layer and under properties, and changed the Altitude. In order to save the whole map to s...

The purpose of this lab was to explore and visualize data in 3D scenes and maps. 3D maps and scenes can be helpful for visualizing the real world. They also allow us to ask and analyze different questions, such as the effect of date and time of date on illumination and shade in an area. Sometimes investigating a certain set of data in 3D allows us to have a different perspective or gain different and new insights that cannot be answered in a 2D setting. Applications for 3D maps are endless, including showing the impact of a new building in an area, realistically displaying a transportation route through a city, over a country or even globally, or even visualizing subsurface features such as wells, pipelines or fault lines. Although 3D maps have wide ranging applications and they suffer from the same pitfalls as 2D maps, navigating them can be initially cumbersome or difficult and sometimes they can be more difficult to interpret initially, depending on the data being displayed. ...

The objective of this week's lab was to explore the concept of dot mapping in which each dot represents a certain amount of some phenomenon. The resulting map shows the 2010 population in South Florida. To create this map, I used ArcGIS Pro and data provided by UWF. I joined an Excel table of 2010 US census population data to a feature class of the South Florida counties and applied Dot Density Symbology. In order to exclude surface water areas from the dot density map, I applied a masking effect using a surface water feature class. To more accurately display the dot density in the areas outside the surface water, I clipped the county population with an urban land feature class. I included and labeled 4 major cities to provide geographic reference to the map. In addition, I uniquely symbolized the surface water by type. I then adjusted the dot size and dot value to find suitable values where the densest areas are just beginning to coalesce. In order to create the visual legend, ...

The purpose of this lab was to explore the design concepts involved with flowline mapping. For this lab, I used Adobe Illustrator to create a flowline map of immigration to the U.S. using data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  I chose to create my flow map where the choropleth map of immigration per U.S. state is overlaid on the world map.  I chose this option because it saved space on the map layout. In addition, I preferred keeping the continents in place to more accurately show the layout of the world and its relation to immigration to the U.S. (although the map does not aim to show the actual paths of immigration, just the percent from each region). I also chose this option because shows where the U.S. is located in relation to the other regions. Even though this option made it slightly more difficult to see the choropleth map, enlarging the whole map made the choropleth map easier to see. I then created proportional flowlines from each region t...

The purpose of this lab was to investigate the PRISM Interpolation Method to develop an isarithmic map of average annual precipitation for Washington state. PRISM is a model that calculates climate-elevation relationships from point data for each grid cell in a digital elevation model (DEM). The data set for Washington state includes annual precipitation over a 30 year period (1981-2010). In this lab, I explored two methods for symbolizing this data in ArcGIS Pro. The first symbolization method was using continuous tone symbology. Continuous tone symbology symbolizes a feature with differing shades between contours, where each point on the surface is shaded with a tone proportional to the value of the surface at that point. This results in a map where the shade of the colors vary and blend between contours, creating a smooth surface. A hillshade effect was applied to the map by using the Dynamic Range Adjustment (DRA) Hillshade Effect and editing the color and transparency of a co...

The purpose of this lab was to explore choropleth mapping and utilize proportional symbology for two different data sets. The resulting map shows population density and wine consumption in European countries. To create this map, I used ArcMap with finishing in Adobe Illustrator. I explored the use of images instead of circles to symbolize wine consumption, however, after trying many options, I felt the image made the data harder to interpret. Instead, I elected to use proportional circles to symbolize wine consumption because they are more easily interpreted. I used proportional symbology over graduated symbology because the proportional symbology could be employed without classifying the data and the size of the symbols makes the data easy to interpret quickly. The most difficult part of creating this map was labeling all the countries. In order to better view a portion of the map that is cluttered with both small countries and many circles, I created an inset map. The inset map ma...

The purpose of this week’s lab is to use a dataset in ArcGIS Pro to explore four common methods of data classification: equal interval, quantile, standard deviation, and natural break. Each method has advantages and disadvantages and changes how the data is interpreted. The method selected for a final map is determined by the data, the purpose of the map and the intended audience.  For the Natural Breaks method, data are put into classes in an attempt to make the values in the class similar to each other but also different from other classes. This method identifies real or “natural” class breaks and thus real trends within the data which can be more accurately represented on choropleth maps. In the Miami-Dade map, the tracts with the highest and lowest percentages - as well as all those in-between - of seniors can be seen. For the Equal Interval method, data are put into classes that have equal ranges or "intervals" in the data , which are produced in an unbiased wa...

The purpose of this lab was to use the cartographic design process to create a map of the Public Schools in Ward 7, Washington, D.C. and employed Gestalt's principles of visual hierarchy, contrast,  figure-ground, and balance. I created my map in ArcGIS Pro and explored the symbology, labeling and layout options to achieve a final balanced product. Visual hierarchy and Contrast are often used together. Visual hierarchy is when symbols and their map elements are ranked according to their relative importance, while  Contrast is the visual difference between map features so that the features can be distinguished from one another.  For this map, the most important features are the schools and Ward 7 area with the least important being some of the essential map elements: north arrow, scale bar, and author/sources.  I implemented visual hierarchy by using color to create Contrast between map elements. I made the Ward 7 district a brighter color than the surrounding...

This week's lab was all about typography, the art of organizing, using and designing types or fonts. The purpose of the lab was to create a map of Marathon, FL and label a list of features following typographic guidelines. The outline of the map and inset map were created in ArcGIS Pro and imported into Adobe Illustrator using the ArcGIS Maps Extension. To create a crisp outline for the inset map, Clip Mask was used with the original map frame. Once the map was imported and the inset clipped and organized, map features were labeled and stylized and essential map elements were added.  I found it challenging to strike a balance with so many features having to be labeled and not overcrowd the map with leader lines. In order to create a balance, I chose to stylize and customize some labels, so that some stand out.  I chose to customize my map as follows: 1. Customized labels. I customized the water labels by making them italic and blue to mimic the flow and feel of w...

The purpose of this lab is to learn basic tools in Adobe Illustrator to enhance map features of a map from ArcGIS Online originally created in ArcGIS Pro. The final map is to be a basic Florida map for a children's encyclopedia which includes Essential Map Elements as well as 3 state symbol images. My final map is above.  Adobe Illustrator (AI) is not an intuitive program and is initially difficult to navigate. All elements are in layers and when new items are added, they are added to whichever layer is selected. Sometimes it was easier to create a new layer in order to add new elements, as was the case with the images on the map. I had to be sure to select a layer first before adding elements, otherwise they were sometimes added to a layer that would obscure the element (they can also be reordered in the layers pane after adding).  Because this was geared towards children, I chose a simple title with a soft font and made it large and bold with a simple subtitle. I ...

The purpose of this lab is to use the common map design principles (Tufteisms) to identify good and poor map design. This lab is a critique of two maps, one well-designed and one poorly-designed. By spending time evaluating the map elements, I am becoming familiar with the elements that appeal to my own design aesthetic. I enjoyed "digging deep" and examining the elements that comprise maps and considering why those elements were good or poor choices to convey the objective of the map. The hardest part of this assignment was selecting the two maps to evaluate. There are many from which to choose, and some maps are mixture of both good and poor design elements. The biggest take away is to keep revising a map as it is being designed, stepping away often and asking for different points of view. In this way, a map can be resolved and become the "best" it can be. Well-designed map: Evaluation Synopsis The “South Carolina Wildlife Management Area Game Zones” m...

My name is Angelique Hennon. I am a manager/biologist for an environmental consulting company in central Florida. Once upon a time, I was a high school biology teacher, but re-entered the environmental field 5 years ago. I have a broad environmental background, ranging from small mammal research to stormwater management to western stream monitoring.  I am pursuing the Graduate Online GIS Certificate to enhance my GIS skill set and make myself more competitive in my current position. Upon completing the certificate, I hope to enter the Master's in GIS Administration program and eventually advance to a GIS position.  I live in Apopka, near Orlando, with my wonderful husband and very active 6 year old son. I am an avid runner/some time triathlete. I am currently training for my first marathon.  I created a Story Map highlighting some of my experiences. My Story Map can be found here:  https://arcg.is/1TKvGC.   (Links to an external site.) Links to an ex...