For this lab, I focused on creating a simple campus map using locations that I visit regularly. I added polygon features to represent building footprints of Gridley Hall in order to distinguish between past demolished buildings and current physical spaces. I kept the basemap and symbology relatively neutral but informative so that the custom layers remained easy to read. Though — I must admit that today’s lab is quite time-consuming.
This exercise demonstrated how web mapping can be a useful tool for digital humanities projects by allowing spatial information to become part of an interpretive narrative than just a visual supplement. Mapping everyday spaces helps reveal patterns of movement, use, and significance that may not be obvious in text alone. Also, ArcGIS Online made this process accessible while still offering flexibility in styling, layering, and sharing data. The website is intuitive for editting compared with some other tools. The ability to quickly turn a map into a public web app or embedded element highlights its usefulness for presenting humanities research in a clear, interactive, and public format.