My spreadsheet!
I included Burton Hall, the Language and Dining Center, Olin Hall, Anderson Hall, and the Center for Math and Computing on my map. These places are where I spend most of my time this term, as they function as my dormitory, academic buildings, and dining hall.
After choosing a basemap, I started customizing my map. First, I added pins to the buildings that show different colors depending on the functions and types. I put red pins for academic buildings, a blue pin for the dining hall, and a green pin for the dormitory. This way, I could show more clearly which types of buildings I visit most often. Then, I labeled the buildings by their names to improve clarity. Next, I created polygon shapes for my buildings by tracing the outlines of each building. And I filled them with color to distinguish them from other buildings.
One issue that occurred during the process was that the map kept pinning the wrong Burton Hall. It kept placing the label on a random building in Minneapolis as “Burton Hall.” I thought the address on the spreadsheet might be incorrect, but it was the correct address. I wonder if there’s a way to place a pin directly on the map manually.
Web mapping can turn spatial data into meaningful visual stories in digital humanities. Web mapping connects data, place, and personal experience within an interactive interface, allowing information to be presented narratively. In particular, ArcGIS Online is a platform that enables users to easily create maps suited to their goals through features such as layers, symbols, and labels. With these tools, spatial data can be easily understood through visual materials.