Over four live chats from August through November, the ArcGIS Storytelling and ArcGIS Living Atlas teams will create a food access story while working through four key stages of geospatial storytelling. From uncovering story ideas and finding supporting data to assembling, refining, and publishing a complete story, we’ll go behind the scenes of the entire process, demonstrating practical techniques you can use in your own storytelling projects.
August 12: Finding the story in your information
September 9: Adding ArcGIS Living Atlas content
October 14: Assembling and theming your story
November 10: Putting the finishing touches on your story
Adding ArcGIS Living Atlas content
In our second chat, we demonstrated how to evaluate and select datasets, use ArcGIS Living Atlas content to support a narrative, and craft maps for geospatial storytelling.
Start with the story
Maps are most effective when they support the narrative rather than drive it. Using the outline created during Chat 1 as a roadmap, we identified the geospatial extents, themes, and supporting content that will strengthen our food access story.
Find supporting data
Great geospatial stories rarely rely on a single dataset. To better understand food access, we combined information about grocery store accessibility with demographic, transportation, and geographic context.
During the chat, we highlighted ArcGIS Living Atlas as a valuable source for discovering authoritative maps, layers, and other content that can help reinforce your story’s message while reducing the time spent preparing data.
Design maps with purpose
Cartography plays an important role in helping readers focus on what matters. We explored techniques such as adjusting colors and symbols, applying filters and effects, highlighting important features, and using animation to draw attention to key information.
These small design decisions can improve clarity, reinforce your narrative, and create a more cohesive storytelling experience.
Prepare maps for storytelling
Building a map for analysis isn’t always the same as building one for storytelling. We also shared strategies for organizing content, grouping layers, and creating bookmarks that make maps easier to work with later in ArcGIS StoryMaps.
Preparing your maps in advance can simplify workflows such as map choreography, media actions, and other interactive geospatial storytelling techniques.
Further learning and practice
The following resources were shared during our live chat to reinforce key concepts you should consider when selecting data and crafting maps that support your narrative:
Tutorial series
Introduction to making maps for storytelling
Learn essential techniques for tailoring your maps to meet your storytelling goals.
ArcGIS Blog
ArcGIS Living Atlas Articles
Find the latest info on ArcGIS Living Atlas and best practices for using its content.
StoryScape
Maps take the stage
Discover the different roles of maps in a story.
Anatomy of a map for storytelling
Refine map visuals into effective narrative tools.
Maps that move
Use movement in your maps to emphasize key story messages.
Short video series
Map choreography with bookmarks
Learn how to use map bookmarks to plan and build map choreography.
Watch the recording
If you missed the live chat or want to review the discussion, we’ve got you covered! Find the recording below or visit our playlist of previous ArcGIS StoryMaps Live chats.
Join us for Chat 3
Register for our next ArcGIS StoryMaps Live chat on October 14, Assembling and theming your story. We will discuss how to organize your content, refine your narrative, and create a visual style that ties everything together. See you there!
2026 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition
Get inspired by the 2025 competition winners and submit your own story to the 2026 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition.
Being a winner of the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition is much more than a title; it is an invitation to push innovation and ensure we portray stories with heart and resilience. As a 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition winner, I can tell the 2025 winners that you are about to see a spike in views — if you haven’t already — and this is not something to take lightly.
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