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A practical course on the professional design, visualisation, and presentation of spatial data with ArcGIS Pro. Participants learn how to plan thematic maps and basemaps, select suitable symbology and classification methods, and create high-quality layouts for print, digital, and interactive applications.
You will learn the fundamental principles of cartographic design and use symbology, colour, labelling, and visual hierarchy effectively. You will create thematic maps, city and road maps, physical basemaps, and map series for different geographical areas.
You will also explore projections and coordinate systems, develop reusable symbols and styles, and create 3D visualisations and animations. Finally, you will prepare maps for printing, file export, sharing, or online publication.
By the end of the course, you will be able to visualise spatial data clearly, accurately, and attractively and produce professional maps for different audiences and output formats.
• Apply the fundamental principles of cartographic design and planning
• Distinguish between thematic maps and basemaps and use them appropriately
• Select suitable classification and symbolisation methods
• Present area-based values, categories, and multiple variables clearly
• Create professional layouts and reusable templates
• Place and optimise labels using Maplex
• Generate map series for different areas or themes
• Create and reuse custom symbols and styles
• Design city, road, and physical-geography maps
• Produce 3D scenes and time-based animations
• Print, export, package, and publish maps online
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS
• Some practical experience with layers, attribute tables, and spatial data
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS Pro is desirable but not essential
• Previous experience in cartography or graphic design is helpful but not required
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
Module 1: Fundamentals of Cartographic Design and Planning
• Purposes and applications of maps
• Defining a map’s audience, message, and output medium
• Developing informational and visual hierarchies
• Selecting suitable map elements and levels of detail
• Balancing legibility, clarity, and information density
• Using colour, shape, size, and contrast deliberately
• Recognising and avoiding common design mistakes
Module 2: Thematic Maps and Basemaps
• Differences between thematic maps and basemaps
• Selecting suitable representations for different questions
• Distinguishing quantitative and qualitative data
• Mapping point, line, and polygon data
• Adapting the basemap to the thematic content
• Reducing or emphasising background information
• Designing maps for analysis, orientation, and communication
Module 3: Presenting Numerical Values by Area
• Fundamentals of choropleth mapping
• Distinguishing absolute and relative values
• Normalising data and selecting suitable reference values
• Defining the number of classes and class boundaries
• Comparing classification methods
• Applying natural breaks, equal intervals, and quantiles
• Assessing the effects of different classifications
• Avoiding unsuitable or misleading representations
Module 4: Symbology, Colour, and Visual Variables
• Applying unique-value, categorical, and graduated symbology
• Using proportional and graduated symbols
• Selecting appropriate colour ramps and colour schemes
• Distinguishing sequential, diverging, and qualitative schemes
• Using transparency, outlines, and size hierarchies
• Combining multiple variables within a single symbol
• Optimising symbols for different map scales
• Considering accessible and clearly distinguishable colour choices
Module 5: Professional Map Layouts
• Essential components of a complete map layout
• Using map frames, titles, legends, scale bars, and north arrows
• Adding sources, authorship, and date information
• Working with page sizes, margins, grids, and alignment guides
• Positioning elements precisely and creating visual balance
• Structuring and simplifying legends
• Preparing layouts for print and screen output
• Reusing layout files and templates
Module 6: Labelling with Maplex
• Fundamentals of automated map labelling
• Creating and managing label classes
• Using fields and expressions to generate labels
• Configuring fonts, sizes, colours, and placement
• Managing priorities, conflicts, and overlaps
• Labelling point, line, and polygon features
• Labelling administrative regions clearly
• Optimising labels for different map scales
• Converting labels to annotation when required
Module 7: Thematic Mapping and Map Series
• Communicating complex topics through clear maps
• Visualising election results and comparable statistical data
• Presenting parties, proportions, and changes
• Combining charts and symbols with area-based representations
• Creating map series for constituencies, administrative regions, or project areas
• Using index layers and dynamic page elements
• Updating titles, text, and map extents automatically
• Exporting multi-page map products efficiently
Module 8: Projections and Coordinate Systems
• Fundamentals of spatial reference systems
• Distinguishing geographic and projected coordinate systems
• Effects of projections on shape, area, distance, and direction
• Selecting suitable projections for different map products
• Recognising display problems caused by unsuitable coordinate systems
• Transforming and projecting data correctly within a map project
• Considering projection effects at large and small scales
Module 9: Creating Symbols and Styles
• Finding and adapting existing symbols
• Creating custom point, line, and polygon symbols
• Building multilayer symbols
• Combining colours, outlines, markers, and effects
• Configuring symbols for different map scales
• Creating and managing custom styles
• Reusing symbols and design standards across projects
• Developing consistent visual standards for teams
Module 10: News Maps and Compact Information Graphics
• Planning maps for newspapers, reports, and presentations
• Presenting complex information in a limited space
• Combining several variables within one symbol
• Integrating proportional symbols, chart symbols, and labels
• Creating a clear visual message and reading order
• Reducing basemap content to essential information
• Optimising maps for small output formats
• Checking clarity and the risk of misinterpretation
Module 11: Road Maps and City Plans
• Structuring roads and transport networks cartographically
• Classifying roads by importance and function
• Applying hierarchical line widths, colours, and outlines
• Placing road names along linear features
• Creating city plans for different scale levels
• Controlling content visibility by scale
• Designing detailed and minimalist road maps
• Integrating landmarks, buildings, and other reference content
Module 12: Physical-Geography Basemaps
• Using digital elevation models for cartographic design
• Generating and labelling contour lines
• Creating and refining hillshade maps
• Applying elevation bands and hypsometric colouring
• Emphasising terrain through illumination and contrast
• Combining elevation information with water and other basemap features
• Integrating raster and vector data into a coherent basemap
• Preparing relief visualisations for print and digital output
Module 13: 3D Visualisation and City Models
• Differences between maps and local or global scenes
• Displaying terrain, buildings, and elevation data in 3D
• Extruding 2D features using attribute values
• Creating a simple 3D city model
• Adjusting materials, colours, and lighting
• Selecting camera positions and suitable viewpoints
• Preparing 3D views for planning and presentation
• Understanding the capabilities and limitations of 3D visualisation
Module 14: Animation and Time-Based Visualisation
• Fundamentals of animation in ArcGIS Pro
• Creating camera movements and viewpoint changes
• Creating and editing keyframes
• Visualising time-enabled data
• Showing changes in accessibility at different times of day
• Combining map content, time periods, and viewpoints
• Reviewing and refining animation sequences
• Exporting animations as video files
Module 15: Output, Sharing, and Publication
• Preparing maps and layouts for printing
• Selecting suitable resolution, colour settings, and file formats
• Using PDF, image, and other export formats
• Considering georeferenced PDF and GeoPDF workflows
• Creating map packages and project packages for sharing
• Checking fonts, data sources, and file connections
• Publishing maps and layers through ArcGIS Online
• Configuring access, sharing, and display options
Module 16: Practical Project – A Professional Map Product
• Defining the audience and purpose of a mapping project
• Selecting suitable data and visualisation methods
• Applying symbology and labelling
• Creating a complete map layout
• Checking projection and scale
• Reviewing the map against cartographic quality criteria
• Preparing the output for print or digital use
• Presenting and evaluating the final result
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