PROPORTIONAL SYMBOL MAPPING WITH MICROSOFT EXCEL AND ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS5

 

Instructions:
Create a proportional symbol map of one element. Use ArcMap to create the bases map and export it to Adobe Illustrator to finish it. The map must contain at least 30 geographic units. Include all normal elements included on a map.

Methods:
The main methods of map building were specified in the instructions and followed.

Because I was mapping on the North American continent I chose the Albers Equal Area projection.

I needed to identify a reliable source of data for student to teacher ratios by state. I ran into some conflicting information and had to dig a little further to establish the legitimacy of the data I ultimately chose.

By building a database I was able to calculate proportions based on the largest total student to teacher ratio. From there I determined the size of my largest symbol and copied it once for each state. I opened these copies and reduced the size of the symbol based on the percentage calculated in my database.

Challenges:
Teacher to student ratios are very similar in number. Though there is a large difference between having 19 children and 13 children in a class, it is difficult to portray with a proportional symbol map. I probably should have chosen a different subject to map as a result. If I had the option of usinf graduated symbols, I would have been able to create a map that actually showed something. In this case, it takes a lot of effort.

I really should have decreased the size of my largest symbol even further. Yes, it was less important because there was not other data set being displayed it, but the northeast states are still difficult to make out.

Looking back, I probably should have chosen a lighter background color. I really like the look of the map, but the background is probably too similar.

The definition of a "teacher" in this case is not necessarily obvious to every reader. As such, I needed to include a definition of a teacher as specified in my data set.