28 November 2011
(Step 6 of 7 of eSpatial’s “Get started using GIS in 7 easy steps” series.)
- In Step 1, you created a prioritised list of questions you wanted to answer.
- In Step 2, you identified the data you needed to answer those questions.
- In Step 3, you gathered and formatted data.
- In Step 4, you created a map and uploaded your data.
- In Step 5, you created queries that matched your list of questions.
You’re one step away from analysing your results! Now’s the time for Step 6: turning to the results of the queries you’ve already created and run, and focusing on how to style them for maximum impact.
Styling matters
Mapping your data with GIS software creates a very visual output. Making sure that your mapped data is attractive, clear and easy to interpret is key to its successful analysis.
Being so close to the final analysis, it’s tempting to dismiss this step as “making things pretty” – and to skip over it to the final analysis.
Don’t be tempted – styling your data appropriately will have a major impact on how your maps are received.
Styling tips
What you do in your GIS software to actually style your data will vary, as each piece of software has a different approach. However, we do have some tips and ideas for you to consider as you style your data:
- Consider the connotations of certain colours
When it comes to styling your data, it’s more important to enable quick and easy analysis, rather than be innovative.For example, in many cultures, red has negative connotations – while green has positive connotations. So in these cultures, it makes sense – and aids analysis – to show positive results in green, and negative results in red.
You don’t need to reinvent the (colour) wheel – just style the data so it’s easy to analyse.
- Who’s your audience?
Using a colour palette and symbols that both communicate well and tie into your audience’s colour preferences is a smart way of making your map even more engaging.For example, if you’ve created a map for a corporate presentation, you might use corporate colours, logos or icons. If your map contains competitor locations, you might use the competitors’ logos – both for clarity and for the visual impact.
- Use contrasting colours
Using strongly contrasting colours makes it easy to see separate items. But how you use contrast is important:- If your data displays opposing values, an easy way to illustrate this is by choosing colours that strongly contrast with each other – like orange and blue, or green and red.
- If you’re displaying multiple sets of points – each in a different colour – strongly contrasting colours means it’s clear what each point represents.
- Use several shades of the same colour
Contrast doesn’t always work – sometimes you need to use several shades of the same colour – for example, when you’re representing a series of values.In this case, it’s important to ensure that the shades are different enough from each other, so it’s easy to tell which colour corresponds to which value at a glance.
- Consider your base map
If you have a selection of base maps available, it’s worth experimenting to see if any of the options help your mapped data to appear more clearly. - Keep it consistent
However you decide to style your data, consistency is important. Your audience needs to focus on data analysis, not the colour scheme!For example, if you’re producing 5 different maps for a project or meeting, use the same styles for the same data types throughout the series. It looks smart, and makes the maps easy to analyse.
Check your work!
Use the “Zoom” function on your GIS software to zoom in and out of your maps as you style them. This helps you to see how clearly the data can be interpreted – and how effective the styling is.
If you’re printing the maps for inclusion in a paper-based report, print draft copies of the areas you’ve styled to see how it looks at the same resolution your audience will see.
Finished styling the output? You’re ready for Step 7: Examine the results, create reports and share the results.
