The lab for week five saw us investigate the ramifications of using different coordinate systems for the same geographic data. Among other activities, we were instructed to create one map with three dataframes illustrating the differences between three coordinate systems. Switching between the dataframes in data view clearly demonstrated the differences as the map of Florida shifted. Placing the dataframes side by side in layout view for our exported map made the differences more difficult to see. Thus, we created a new field for the shapefiles' attributes that calculated the area for each county. Four counties were then selected to display their area in each dataframe as a more precise demonstration of the differences between coordinate systems. Doing this reinforced the importance of knowing the coordinate systems of one's datasets and how to harmonize them. For example, layers with different coordinate systems may be displayed correctly together yet prevent use of analysis tools as well as consume more computing resources as they are drawn.
For the design of the exported map above, I decided to keep it relatively simple. As suggested in the lab instructions, I kept the symbology consistent across the dataframes. My creative input was limited to applying a light blue background to the dataframes and a light tan overall background. I was momentarily baffled as to how I could ensure a single scale bar would work for all three dataframes until I remembered to manually input the same scale ratio for each dataframe.
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