"}],"short_description":"Animated symbols bring maps to life. Explore how motion can be used to guide attention, convey movement, and add effects to stories.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Storytelling with maps has always been an exercise in capturing and directing a reader\u2019s attention. To achieve this task, cartographers have long relied on the fundamentals of symbology, visual hierarchy, and composition to guide the eye through spatial narratives.<\/p>\n
Animation adds a new dimension to this equation. Motion can short-circuit the brain\u2019s usual patterns; our eyes snap to anything that moves, even the slightest motion, which makes animation a powerful tool.<\/p>\n
However, animation isn\u2019t just a decoration. It\u2019s a technique that should be used with intention. When used thoughtfully, animation can do far more than simply grab attention. As our team rebuilt this story about K\u012blauea<\/a><\/strong>, we looked for moments where Map Viewer’s animated symbols<\/a><\/strong> could do real narrative work, not only drawing the eye but also shaping atmosphere, conveying motion, and creating effects that static symbols simply can\u2019t. Those choices became part of the story\u2019s design and helped readers feel the energy contained within K\u012blauea.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955581,"id":2955581,"title":"Kilaeua Blog Banner Image","filename":"Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","filesize":1917274,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua-blog-banner-image","alt":"","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"","name":"kilaeua-blog-banner-image","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 16:33:47","modified":"2026-02-06 16:33:47","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image-1536x864.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/e9a008c4129341d7b4f49ddd731def37"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Note: Click each of the animated samples below to explore a web map with all of the animation and layer configuration.<\/strong><\/p>\n Motion is the fastest way to draw the eye. A well-placed animated symbol can instantly highlight a feature. When used sparingly and with intention, they create visual cues that pull readers towards the elements or characters within a story that matter most.<\/p>\n The most obvious application for this effect is within locator maps. As an author, we want to establish the geographic setting for readers early on. Using an animated symbol within a locator map helps readers quickly get their bearings.<\/p>\n In the K\u012blauea story, a glowing animated triangle symbol immediately identifies the volcano within the chain of Hawaiian Islands. In addition, as there are only a limited number of volcanoes, or characters, in the story, this effect is maintained throughout the story with the same animated symbol being used throughout to guide the reader’s eyes to the current focal point. Subtle shifts in size help reinforce the emphasis of the most important feature within the map view.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955567,"id":2955567,"title":"Kilaeua_locator_effects","filename":"Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","filesize":3037736,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua_locator_effects","alt":"An aerial imagery basemap of the chain of Hawai'ian islands. In the southwest corner of the image a subtle globe image has been super-imposed on the map with an orange extent rectangle delineating the visibile extent of the basemap.","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"A simple animated symbol can instantly capture your readers attention and help them geographically locate the setting of your story.","name":"kilaeua_locator_effects","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 15:02:50","modified":"2026-02-06 16:11:41","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":926,"height":560,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","medium-width":432,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":464,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","large-width":926,"large-height":560,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","1536x1536-width":926,"1536x1536-height":560,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","2048x2048-width":926,"2048x2048-height":560,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects-769x465.gif","card_image-width":769,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_locator_effects.gif","wide_image-width":926,"wide_image-height":560}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/arcg.is\/PnHSv1"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" When storytelling, some phenomena demand more than a static symbol. While a measure of wind gusts and a river’s flow rate can be succinctly encoded in the color or size of a static symbol, an animated representation expedites interpretation. By introducing movement and direction, animation helps readers grasp processes even without the aid of a legend. In storytelling, this means the reader can remain immersed in the map’s narrative.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Motion isn\u2019t just useful for data with quantitative measurements of speed or volumes. Animated symbols can also convey a sense of motion to support the story’s narrative. For instance, when mapping the lava flow extents from K\u012blauea\u2019s vents, the sense of movement described in the narrative was absent from the map. To visualize the creep of these flows over the landscape, a combination of animated symbols and blend modes was used to create a series of \u201ccascading heat waves\u201d within these boundaries.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955568,"id":2955568,"title":"Kilaeua_lava_effects","filename":"Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","filesize":11006077,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua_lava_effects","alt":"An aerial imagery basemap showing the southern coast of the island of Hawaii. The map is focused on the summit of K\u012blaeua with vents Pu\u2019u \u2018\u014c\u2019\u014d and K\u016bpai\u02bbanah\u0101 also shown on the map. Surrounding these two vents is the extent of the lava flow from the 2018 eruption. Within this extent, a series of glowing orange rings radiate outwards from the vent to convey \"heat waves\" within the lava flow.","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"Combining layers with animated symbols with blend modes can help convey a sense of motion for static layers. In this map the lava flow extents come to life with pulsing \"heat waves\".","name":"kilaeua_lava_effects","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 15:03:33","modified":"2026-02-06 16:13:52","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1280,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","large-width":1280,"large-height":720,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":720,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":720,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_lava_effects.gif","wide_image-width":1280,"wide_image-height":720}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/arcg.is\/1bj41D0"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Beyond attention and motion, animation opens the door to creative techniques. In a storytelling capacity, these novel effects can reinforce the story’s atmosphere and elevate the reading experience with dynamism and visual delight.<\/p>\n These creative effects were subtly employed throughout the K\u012blauea story, from glowing plate boundaries and rift zones that pulsed with heat, conveying the energy below, to the shifting plumes of steam and sulfur dioxide rising from the caldera.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955571,"id":2955571,"title":"Kilaeua_diorama_effects","filename":"Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","filesize":7036053,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua_diorama_effects","alt":"An oblique cutaway diorama view of the Hawai'ian islands. The big island of Hawaii is in the foreground and the ocean and earth is cutaway with the chain of islands resting atop a plinth of earth's crust. On the lower right face of this plinth is an illustration of a hotspot below the surface with red-orange magma intermittently glowing.","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"Media layers and sketch layers with animated effects and blend modes can be combined in creative ways to create engaging visuals that set your story apart.","name":"kilaeua_diorama_effects","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 15:06:32","modified":"2026-02-06 16:11:48","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1576,"height":802,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":236,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":391,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","large-width":1576,"large-height":802,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects-1536x782.gif","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":782,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","2048x2048-width":1576,"2048x2048-height":802,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects-826x420.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":420,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_diorama_effects.gif","wide_image-width":1576,"wide_image-height":802}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/arcg.is\/1y4mH"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955569,"id":2955569,"title":"Kilaeua_caldera_effects","filename":"Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","filesize":24679933,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua_caldera_effects","alt":"An aerial imagery basemap centered on the caldera of K\u012blaeuea. Within a polygon delineating the limits of the caldera an animated pulsing orange glow radiates to simulate molten lava. Atop the caldera a wispy smoke cloud gently seeps from the Halema\u2019uma\u2019u vent.","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"Animated symbols can be used in creative ways to bring map and media layers to life. These novel effects provide a myriad of ways to capture your reader's attention and delight them.","name":"kilaeua_caldera_effects","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 15:04:37","modified":"2026-02-06 16:11:24","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1274,"height":826,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","medium-width":403,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":498,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","large-width":1274,"large-height":826,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","1536x1536-width":1274,"1536x1536-height":826,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","2048x2048-width":1274,"2048x2048-height":826,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects-717x465.gif","card_image-width":717,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_caldera_effects.gif","wide_image-width":1274,"wide_image-height":826}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/arcg.is\/1SW10W0"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2955570,"id":2955570,"title":"Kilaeua_rift_glow","filename":"Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","filesize":17654252,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/storytelling-with-animated-symbols\/kilaeua_rift_glow","alt":"An aerial imagery basemap centered on the southern coast of the island of Hawaii. Animation glowing red-orange lines delineate the rift zones extenting both east and southwest from the caldera of K\u012blaeua to the coast of the island. Along these lines are glowing red-orange triangles indicting the location of major vents within K\u012blaeua's rift system: Halema\u2019uma\u2019u, Pu\u2019u \u2018\u014c\u2019\u014d, and K\u016bpai\u02bbanah\u0101.","author":"129801","description":"","caption":"Intentional use of animated symbols can help reinforce themes within your story and enhance the visual design. These glowing rift zones almost feel hot to the touch and convey the heat of the magma trapped beneath.","name":"kilaeua_rift_glow","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2955560,"date":"2026-02-06 15:05:27","modified":"2026-02-06 16:18:15","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1174,"height":794,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","medium-width":386,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":519,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","large-width":1174,"large-height":794,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","1536x1536-width":1174,"1536x1536-height":794,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","2048x2048-width":1174,"2048x2048-height":794,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow-688x465.gif","card_image-width":688,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua_rift_glow.gif","wide_image-width":1174,"wide_image-height":794}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/arcg.is\/1aSKPG1"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Effective use of animated symbols depends on more than creativity. As with any cartographic technique, animation works best when it\u2019s grounded in clear intent and supported by thoughtful design choices.<\/p>\n Keeping this balance in mind while incorporating animation into the K\u012blauea story helped ensure it never overwhelmed the reader and served the narrative rather than becoming a distracting decoration.<\/p>\n"}],"related_articles":[{"ID":2716862,"post_author":"5551","post_date":"2025-03-05 08:58:48","post_date_gmt":"2025-03-05 16:58:48","post_content":"","post_title":"Use Animated Symbols in Map Viewer","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"use-animated-symbols-in-map-viewer","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-03-05 12:17:12","post_modified_gmt":"2025-03-05 20:17:12","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2716862","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":691962,"post_author":"6331","post_date":"2020-01-02 10:16:48","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-02 18:16:48","post_content":"","post_title":"Getting the most from animated maps","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"getting-the-most-from-animated-maps","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-02 10:19:21","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-02 18:19:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=691962","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"show_article_image":false,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Card-Image.png","wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kilaeua-Blog-Banner-Image.png"},"yoast_head":"\nLook here<\/h1>\n
Motion<\/h1>\n
Effects<\/h1>\n
Animate your stories<\/h1>\n