Essential Map Elements, Typography and Labeling

Module 3 – Typography

 On this assignment, we were asked to use the geodatabase (gdb) for Florida from module 2 and create a map of Marathon area of the Florida Keys in ArcGIS 10.3. To get the area to fit best you should change the layout to landscape.  Where you place a locator, I inserted a map of the Florida Keys, I also added a scale bar and the North arrow. Once that was done you exported the map as an AI file extension (Adobe Illustrator).

  As part of this assignment you had to add certain features like aerial feature, such as islands found in the keys;  hydrographic feature, Florida Bay, point features, State parks and country clubs.  You also had to label all the features. You were asked to follow some specific guidelines for all features labeling such as the placement of text for aerial feature. If the text could fit in the land area without touching the boundaries, perfect.  If not, you placed the text outside the area being careful not to touch the boundaries.   For the hydrographic feature you could used italic font and have it follow the diagonal and curve of the water body if any. For point features the text had to be placed either horizontally aligned to the right, center or left of the feature or you could use a leader line. The leader line could only be 0.25pts thick and could not touch the text or the feature.  You were also asked to use only two font styles serif and sand serif.  This was a good assignment and very interesting and informative. I learned a lot and I plan to apply what I learned to the maps I do at work.