Final Project

Yesterday in the Great Smokies
Webcam archive
GEO 109: Digital Mapping

Announcements

Remaining classes

  • Two more lectures after Nov 28th.
  • One or two recitations left.
  • Due Dec 3: Draft.
  • Any outstanding assignment can be submitted for partial credit though you might not get feedback.

S24 mapping courses

  • GEO 309: Intro to GIS
    • MWF: 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm (ArcGIS Pro)
    • TR: 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm (Primarily QGIS)
  • GEO 361: GIS Applications for Health
    • MWF: 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm (ArcGIS Pro)

Our primary tool

  • QGIS might not be your jam
  • but there are ways to make it better.
  • Pro tip: use a mouse for precise control, right-clicking, scrolling, etc.

Lab 5 examples

Powers earned 🐉

  • Collect observations (a.k.a. data)
  • Analyze observations
  • Make a map of observations
  • Design to hold someone's attention

This is the arc of map making

What's missing?

Your story

What brings you joy?

What makes you angry?

Extra credit +2

Proposal

Final Project Proposal

  • What's your topic? Why does it need a map?
  • Methods of getting data? Area of interest?
  • Audience for your map? "Vibe" of your map?
  • Documentation

Getting detailed spatial data

QuickOSM

  • A QGIS plugin that allows you to download OpenStreetMap data directly into QGIS.
  • OpenStreetMap key/value pairs are used to filter data.
  • In-class demonstration. 🤞

Other sources of data

Local

World & National

You

  • Pull observations from existing maps
  • Make observations in the field with your phone

Base maps

QGIS XYZ tiles

Completing the proposal

🚨Alert🚨

If you're stuck

reach out for help.

Draft

Final Project Draft

  • Using your proposal as a guide, create a draft of your final project.
  • Two layers: base map and your observations.
  • At least two classes or symbols for your observations.
  • Documentation

Instructor's example

Short demonstration videos showing crucial steps.

Submission

Improvement?

  • You will have time to improve the map.
  • Final submission on Dec 14th.
  • Instructor will be highly available for feedback and help.
  • Think of it as an opportunity to collaborate.

Your proposals

Common challenges

  • Finding/creating data – observations.
  • Making that work in QGIS
  • likely means editing the data
  • to add attributes for symbology, labels, etc.

Common steps

  • Often, you can't edit data
  • unless it is in certain formats.
  • Export to a GeoJSON
  • and edit attribute table.

Your proposals with example solutions

GPS data

  • Export features as KML and load into QGIS.
  • Export GeoJSON from QGIS.
  • Edit layer attributes in QGIS.
  • Applies to Google My Maps KMLs.

Eclectic CSVs

  • Look for odd-ball data sources.
  • Retired people and hobbyists collect and share weird data.
  • Sites like POI Factory.
  • Might have to edit attribute table.

Download data

  • Look for conventional spatial data sources
  • as given in previous lectures and recitations.
  • Look for attributes for symbology: categorical or quantitative.
  • Might have to edit attribute table.

Create data

  • Add aerial imagery as a base map.
  • Add points, lines, and polygons
  • using the digitizing tools in QGIS.
  • Might have to edit attribute table.
  • Next video from previous slide.

Selected data

  • Find leisure areas on the water.
  • Parks, swimming areas, and natural reserves
  • using QuickOSM in QGIS and adding attribute for dog-friendly as 'yes' or 'no'.

Analyzed data

  • Create new data from analyzing existing data.
  • An ambulance leaves the hospital driving 70 mph. How far can it get in 30 minutes?
  • Doable with QGIS Network Analysis tools but slightly advanced.

Joined data

Fantasy maps

  • are fine, but still must meet project requirements.
  • Middle Earth even has GIS data available.
  • Did Frodo take the best path? An analysis.
  • Example of how GIS concepts can be used to analyze fictional worlds.

Impact

  • These two proposals can make maps
  • that reveal patterns and conditions
  • that no other single image can.

Summary

  • Add a base map that is not OpenStreetMap.
  • Add your observations and be able to symbolize them with at least two classes.
  • Make sure the projection is not EPSG code 4326.
  • Add additional map elements.
  • Style it for your audience.
Final

Before we start, let's explore some maps in the news.

Symbology

  • How does the use of color and symbology influence the message?
  • Could there be more than one class for this data?
  • 🤢
  • The point is to be over the top.

Projection

  • Did they get it right?
  • How can you make sure you get it right?

Analysis

  • Size of hexagon: number of attempts.
  • Color: success rate compared to D1 average.
  • Analysis techniques can be applied outside of conventional maps.

Usefulness

  • Maps whether or not it exists.
  • What people really want to know: how much is there?

Your map classes

  • A least two classes for your theme.
  • Difference of
    • type: Layer styling is Categorized.
    • quantity: Layer styling is Graduated.
  • Or multiple layers for theme with different symbology.

Your Superpowers 🐉

  • Make a single-page design
  • with immediate visual impact
  • and long-term usefulness.
  • You are a cartographer.

Three levels of engagement

  • First impression: good graphic design.
  • Understanding the map: good cartographic design.
  • Usefulness: accurate observations and analysis.

Final project submission

  • After completing the draft,
  • refine it to meet the deliverables.
  • Documentation
  • Extra credit opportunity.

Feedback

  • We working through proposal feedback.
  • If your draft is good, minimal feedback.
  • If your draft needs work, a list of deliverables will be given.
  • Want more feedback, please reach out.

Draft examples

A parting message

Your superpowers

  • are transferable to other disciplines.
  • Collect & visualize your observations ☑️
  • ChatGPT-proof ☑️
  • Build your portfolio ☑️

Mapping & GIS Minor

  • GEO 109 meets first requirement.
  • Spatial applications are everywhere.
  • Get your minor.
Keep in touch 💖