Final Project Proposal

The final project should be your highest quality visualization to date. Unlike a GIS class, you do not need to solve a problem or answer a geographic question (though good maps often do). Your goal in a Cartography class is to work on the end result -- the visual display of the information. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable with this project to map data that has been mapped before or to work on creating a much-improved version of a disappointing map. "New" data is fine, but don't spend too much of your time sifting the numbers when you need to spend most of the time on the graphics.

There are a variety of visualization options: smooth, flip-book animation, motion and shape tweening animation, step-by-step multimedia modules, "faux" GIS (where the user gets to turn layers on and off), and any combination of the above. The one requirement is that the project is presented in Flash (as a link off your blog). You can choose to use any combination of software programs for the development (ArcMap, Illustrator, Photoshop, Google Earth, etc.) but you must use Flash as the display medium. If you want to make everything in Flash, that's alright too!

What topics can you choose from? Anything (well...if you would be embarrassed to show your grandmother, let's save that for a different time). Can you make something that links in with another class? Yes! Can you make something for work or a graduate project? Of course! Can you map something that you've been curious about or something you have simply stumbled on? Yes...yes. You could work to animate a historical event, create a tutorial on a topic that uses a map as the key element, or give a detailed overview of a location with multiple interactive map layers. Lots of options...

This week I want a proposal of your idea. ***CHANGE*** Instead of turning in your proposal this Wed in class, I'm going to ask you to email me your proposal by 5pm this Friday. That will give everyone more time to talk to me about ideas.

Here is what I'm looking for with the proposal:

In approx. 3 typed, double-spaced pages, propose an idea for your Final Project. Explain the topic, the reason you've selected it, the audience of the map(s), the type of visualization you envision, the data source (and if it has been acquired), the production steps (data processing, software, etc.), and a schedule. If you are inspired by another map, include a scan or link. Also discuss any issues/obstacles/needs you foresee.

At this point you should have a grasp as to what you can do in Flash. Go ahead and propose your ideal project (what you'd *really* like to see) and we'll discuss what is doable. My hope is that this project can be used as a key part of a growing mapping portfolio.

Questions? Send me an email or talk to me in class on Wed!

Looking at cartographic animations (from a design and multimedia standpoint)

Animation with moving symbol
Another example with a historical bend (warning...has sounds)
A moving symbol in a hurricane simulation

A "faux-GIS" style animation
Another one about Michigan
And one more

And this is just an interesting way to search for news geographically
And this is just a very unique visualization of movie box office domestic grosses

How to get your Flash file on your blog

Blogger accepts pictures and movies and hyperlinks, but for some reason it does not like Flash movies. Therefore, we need to use a different website to store our .swf and .html files (the 2 files generated when you Publish your movie) and then link to that site from our blog.

One option is to use your Mason webs-pace account. Simply ftp the 2 files to your public.html folder and then link to them in you blog post (follow the instructions in the lab). If your haven't set-up your account, follow the instructions at the ITU Support page or swing by the STAR lab in the Johnson Center

If you are not on friendly terms with your Mason web-space, you can try a third-party site. There are a few free sites online that will host files for you. The one I'm most comfortable suggesting is SwfUP since it does not require you to download anything to your computer. Another site is imageshack but it might ask you to download a toolbar (I did not want to so I have not fully tried it, but I had one student with good luck). Krystal suggested Pages by Google (but I'm still testing that).

In summary, your Mason account is optimal -- no registration, no toolbar, just your file safe and sound. But I'm not picky...I just need a link on your blog to your published Flash movie!

Note: If you are using Flash 9 (as the lab instructions are currently geared for), you will publish 2 files: .swf and .html
If you are using CS2 (in the classroom and the version of the free trials), you will be asked to publish an additional javascript .js file.

Lab 2 -- Football Flash

I've heard from a few students that they are having problems with their Flash assignment. It is, unfortunately, easy to make small mistakes in Flash (esp. with the scripting) that cause errors when the movie plays. I really want the whole class to get comfortable with Flash so we will spend some time talking through the most common problems. We will also go through the best ways to get your Flash file linked to your blog (Blogger, unfortunately, does not accept the .swf files so we must store them somewhere else and link to them in Blogger).

Although I will introduce a new lab this evening, I want you to ask for help when we get over to the RA113 lab. I won't officially start reviewing Lab 2 until the weekend so you will have a little more time to make any needed corrections. Lab 2 covers quite a bit of key concepts....

Wed. Feb 20th

There are a few things you should know about this evening's class (yes! we're planning to meet...)
1. There is a basketball game so traffic and parking might be miserable (see parking services notice below). This will also be an issue for next Wed, Feb 27th.
2. We are trying a different classroom -- IN 336. I'm not sure if the computer projector will be better, but it is definitely worth a try! Please meet in 336.
3. Snow. I'm assuming the snow today will be minimal and GMU will remain open all night, but PLEASE check http://www.gmu.edu/ before you head to campus. I will send an email out if I learn of any closings.

Correction to Lab 0:Blog

It was brought to my attention last night that the write-up for the blog set-up refers to the class blog address as http://geog310.blogspot.com when in fact it is http://mapdesign.blogspot.com.

If you simply switch out the web addresses, you'll link to "our" class....not one from last Fall!

(If you're curious to see what the undergrad students did in the Intro Cartography class, go to the geog310 page and click on the names in the table on the left to pull up their personal class blogs).

Yes, you found it!

This is the main page for Map Design -- a graduate Cartography class at George Mason University this Spring 2008.

It has been a long time since this class was offered (Spring 2003?) so I'm quite excited to take a crack at it. We will be doing a lot with this semester -- examining, critiquing, & making maps in addition to honing our design skills. Should be fun!