Please follow the instructions on the attached file named “Take Home Quiz”.
Regarding the part where you can’t use maps that has already been discussed in class, please refer to the attached Lecture Notes below.
Here are further details:
1. Include the source for each map.
2. The word limit is one page of text; this does not include your maps. So you must fit all discussion on one A4 page, and your second page of the document will be dedicated to your chosen map images and source/link to source. Make sure you include the title of your assignment, name and class number somewhere on the document.
Here are the instructions on the “Take Home Quiz” attachment”:
The purpose of this assignment is to give you some practice in analyzing cartographic design. For
this take-home assignment, you need to find two static maps (i.e., not an online interactive map
platform). One of these should be what you think is an example of a well-executed map, and one
of these should be an example of a poorly executed example of a geovisualization. You can find
lots of examples of maps online. Please DO NOT USE any map that we have already
discussed or shown in class. NO AI-Generated maps are allowed. As a hint, look up
transportation maps, climate maps, natural resource maps, employment or other demographic
related (population, age, election…) maps. Alternatively, think of a place you know, have heard
about, or have visited and find maps of that location.
Analyze each map with regard to cartographic design and be specific in your analysis. Discuss the
effective/positive design characteristics and ineffective/negative design characteristics for each of
the two maps. Use your cartographic vocabulary!
Example criteria to include are:
• proper use of color,
• text and labelling,
• symbols,
• figure/ground, and
• layout.
Is the map intelligible to the reader? Does the map clearly convey its message to the reader? Is the
map aesthetically pleasing? Remember that each map should be evaluated within the context for
which it was designed. A map designed for a research study and destined for an academic
geography journal, for example, should not be judged as being poor for general navigation use.
What to submit:
Upload a Word document that includes a summary discussion that is within ½ page long for each
map on why you found the map to be either a positive geovisualization example or a poor example
(you need one of each). Please insert the JPEGs of the maps you have selected (e.g., take a
screenshot) into your Word document (2 pages total for assignment). Include the source for each
map.
