Lab 3

Geog 413, Computer Cartography

Some of the most important things you can learn in cartography are 1) be critical of all maps (including yours), 2) all maps are lies, 3) all maps must be interpreted relative to their purpose, and 4) map-making is an iterative process - you will typically make a number of drafts.

Thus, this lab: your task is to critically examine two maps/posters that can be found on the walls of Lind Hall (or even elsewhere on campus)..

Steps:

Part 1:

1. Wander around, check them out. Any and all are fair game. Pick two
2. Make a quick sketch map of each map/poster so you can refer to certain parts (and so I have a reference, too)
3. Write out what you think is the purpose of each map/poster.
4. Relative to #2 and #3, critically examine the poster/map (remembering the 4 points in the intro paragraph of this lab):
   1. What did you like
   2. What sucked
   3. What would you change and why? (note, the 'why' is very important)
5. Write up #3 and #4, hand in (typed) along with your sketch maps.
6. Also, there are three maps on G:\comp_carto\lab3\. Check them out and give a brief summary (same as 4.1 - 4.3 above).

Part 2:

The poster 'It was a dark and stormy night' was designed to be something that would catch a viewer's eye, suck them in, and then be absolutely horrible in the details.

Usually, a sheet of paper details the known errors, however, your task is to find as many errors as you can.

In addition to the list of errors you find, evaluate the poster regarding how well it fulfills the intent (to suck people in from a distance with an interesting design, then fail at all attempts to communicate useful information).

Due date: Tuesday, 29 January 2008. 5 points.

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