For this week's lab, I created a map of Ward 7 in Washington D.C., focusing on Public Schools in the area (Figure 1). The learning objective of the exercise was to apply Gestalt's Principles of Organization, specifically visual hierarchy, contrast, figure-ground distinction, and balance, to craft a well-designed map. While this might seem simple, the challenge is in the details.
To implement visual hierarchy, I used red symbols for the schools, adjusting the color saturation with HSV to make them stand out. I also varied the symbol sizes to distinguish between different school types, though these sizes were not weighted values.
For contrast, I chose a gray-scale color scheme, with Ward 7 in a lighter hue to make it stand out against the darker background of Washington, D.C. This created a clear distinction between the area of interest (AOI) and the less important surrounding areas. The use of grayscale helped establish a strong visual structure.
Through trial and error, I established a figure-ground relationship by minimizing distractions. I emphasized the Ward 7 boundary and label, while keeping the background environmental layer in more muted tones. I excluded unnecessary details, like neighborhood boundaries, to keep the focus on the public schools.
For balance, I aimed to distribute map elements evenly, placing features in open areas and avoiding clutter. I didn’t use a legend block at the bottom, but instead placed elements where they felt most balanced within the map's design. The inset map provided additional context while maintaining focus on the AOI.
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