For the lab this week, I used ArcGIS to map my most commonly visited spots on campus. I thought that this process was super straightforward, and the software was very beginner-friendly to use. I think that using a software like this makes expressing data through mapping very easy and accessible.
To begin, I started out by pulling up a grey basemap. After I did this, I pulled up the data I imported into a sheet and uploaded it as a new layer into ArcGIS. This created points on the map of the places where I most often frequented. I thought that this was super cool that I could just upload a data set, and it would create points on the map. After I did this, I changed the points from simple points to a hot spot style of indicator on the map. The reason I did this was to show some variance in the amount I visit my most visited places on campus. After I did that, I used the sketch tool to make polygons of the buildings that I most commonly frequented. I made them red to match the style of the hotspots.
I think that using this mapping software will be useful to me in the future as it could be used to represent where I have experience working in a portfolio. I think that using a visual guide like this would be incredibly helpful in making a portfolio stand out. Especially as a visualization of which regions or areas you’re familiar with working with.
What I found interesting about your project is how you used hot spots instead of the ordinary points in order to show the frequency of your visits to different locations on the campus. I think that this idea makes your map much more meaningful, adding yet another dimension to your data visualization tool. Additionally, I found your suggestion about ArcGIS as the structure for a portfolio to be interesting as well . I haven’t thought about how mapping can be used in order to describe someone’s work experience until now.
I liked how you used the hotspot style to show not just where you go on campus, but also the differences in how often you visit each place. That seems more informative than using identical points for every location. I also thought your idea of using mapping in a future portfolio was interesting. I had mostly thought about ArcGIS as a tool for academic projects, so your post made me think more about how mapping could also be useful professionally.
Great post, Brayden! Using the hot spot style mapping to show variance in how often you visit your favorite campus locations is a really smart visual choice. Styling the building polygons in red to match the hot spots ties the whole aesthetic together nicely. Your point about applying web mapping to future work portfolios is also super insightful. Mapping out geographic experience or regional project history would definitely make a portfolio stand out to employers. It’s awesome to see how beginner-friendly you found ArcGIS for turning raw spreadsheet data into a clean, accessible visual!
I really like how vibrant your building polygons ended up being, Brayden! They honestly make me wish that I made mine a bit more interesting. As for the heat map points, I was debating going with those, as they really draw one’s attention. Until reading your post, I honestly had not even considered the possibility of including an interactive map in a portfolio, but I think that this is a great idea!
Brayden, a hot spot style blends nearby points together, so with only five locations it can shade the paths between buildings as if you spend time there too. I appreciate your comment on utilizing mapping for a portfolio. I hadn’t thought about that idea and I believe it’d be a great way to stand out as a candidate.