Module 1: Map Critique

    In this week's module, I learned about the basics of map design principles and how to evaluate maps. The lecture and readings covered topics such as good map design, the purpose of maps, and the history of cartography. In the lab, I found an example of a well-designed and poorly-designed map and critiqued them.

    

    This travel advisory map meets its intended purpose very well. Its purpose is to communicate states that Ohioans should avoid traveling to due to high COVID-19 positivity rates. It simply and clearly illustrates which states have high positivity rates without evoking too much fear. The map text adds needed context to inform people why a high positivity rate is notable and what to do. Further, the hashtag below the map ties it in with other Ohio official and unofficial COVID-19 response materials. This map uses the design principle “minimize map crap” by not including a North arrow or scale. These elements are not necessary for the map’s purpose. It also uses the principle “don’t lie with maps.” All states with a lower positivity rate are the same color so they fade into the background (as they aren’t the purpose of this map). Without the percentages for each state, the same color could be misinterpreted as having the same positivity rate. Three components that I appreciate about this map are its simplicity, that it is easy to understand, and the font.

    

    This map does not meet its intended aims of conveying the severity and change over time of COVID-19 spread in Ohio counties. This map lacks an appropriate title, legend, and explanatory text. It does not use the principle “map substantial information” while the information mapped is very important it is not easily understandable. Without any legend or strong labels, this map does not meet the “effectively label maps” design principle. The map can easily be improved by creating a better title and inserting the legend/explanations from earlier versions of this map. Further, the black lines grouping Ohio counties should be removed as they do not support the map’s purpose. (From previous knowledge, I know they show the newly created Ohio hospital/nursing home zones.)