representing data with color

[kend8148345]

I'm trying to create a map that will show data in color, for example population numbers, ages of people, etc, similar to the example shown here:

map of electoral vote 

Perhaps a map like this is an artifact of simply assigning a color to a number and then coloring in an area, but that would be very time intensive. Is there a way of creating charts and graphs in which ranges of numbers are automatically represented by a range of colors, even gradient colors?  I'm pretty new to Illustrator, and don't know the terminology of what I'm trying to do here.

[JETalmage]

No. For something like the example you reference, there is nothing in Illustrator's standard feature set with which to accomplish that. An algorithm for doing it could be devised via scripting, but you'd need to more thoroughly think thorugh the problem before approaching someone to script it:

Most anything can be done by relating numbers. Values like you mentioned—"population, age, etc."—are numbers. Colors are defined by numbers. That constitutes two columns of values.

But that's not enough for the example. Each calculated color value also has to be related to a specific location. So you're really dealing with with at least one more column of values (but probably two, expressing location as X,Y coordinates). And those location values have to "fit" the specific graphic you are using for the map.

In other words, writing an Illustrator Javascript that associates a color tint with a population value would be trivial. You could do that with a simple spreadsheet. But that Javascript still doesn't know where on your page Delaware, Ohio is.

Graphing solutions used with maps usually work with geospatial data. Visio, for example enables you to do certain kinds of charting based on map tempates it contains or can import. I haven't messed with it in quite a while, so can't say whether it can do the specific style of map you've shown (but I serously doubt it). Canvas is a full-blown illustration program that's been around as long as Illustrator, and it provides a fairly elaborate feature set for working with GIS data.

But nowadays, many map-based graphs solutions leverage existing web services from a database application. FileMaker Pro, for example, can use a live connection to GoogleMaps for record-specific maps on-the-fly. Similar applications can use GoogleMaps as the "underlay" for their natively-created data-driven markers. Google probably provides turnkey geo-mapping/charting solutions.

So even with scripting, unless there's some elaborate third-party plug in specifically built for the purpose, Illustrator is not likely the best patform for such things. You'd probably be unnecessarily re-inventing the wheel.

JET

[Silly-V]

You may be able to use my article here for your needs, but it involves using Illustrator variables - and you'll probably need to email me for the sample file set to get started. It can be complicated, but the auxiliary scripts that are provided help with a lot of the setup work.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/illustrator-variable-data-advanced-techniques-recoloring-vasily-hall

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/recolor-workflow-using-color-map-spreadsheet-vasily-hall/