Bivariate Symbol Map

For this lab exercise we were instructed to create a bivariate map using two variables of our own choosing.  I decided to map obesity, using the percentage of the population considered obese by state, and the number of fast food restaurants per 100,000 people in each state.  I first made a base map in ArcMap, then exported the map into Adobe Illustrator.  Obesity is represented as a chloropleth map and fast food restaurants are represented by proportional symbols.  The statistical data inputs were compiled in an excel spreadsheet from data that I found online.  The map was created with all of the necessary design elements and with respect to the essentials of map design.

The chloropleth map of the states represents obesity.  The darker tones are states that are the states that have more prevalent obesity rates.  This allows the obese states to stand out more in attempt to create a visual hierarchy with the most problemed states towards the top.  The prevalence of fast food is represented by proportional symbols, meaning the larger the dinner plate symbol is, the more prevalent fast food restaurants are in that state.  I left the background of the map white to make the important elements of the map stand out with respect to figure-ground appearance and visual hierarchy.  I used very clear fonts for all of the text boxes and data information to ensure legibility in the map.  One problem I ran into while producing the map was limited space for the amount of information that needed to be included in the map.  I had to make a few small tweaks to the map to ensure clarity and balance.  For example, I used different scales for Hawaii and Alaska than I did for the continental U.S.  I made use of lines for some of the proportional symbols on the East Coast to avoid over crowding.  The text boxes, legends, title and map specs are placed strategically around the geographic map area in order to create a balanced look that has limited blank space.