"}],"related_articles":[{"ID":2887922,"post_author":"32401","post_date":"2025-07-09 17:00:41","post_date_gmt":"2025-07-10 00:00:41","post_content":"","post_title":"Using the ArcGIS StoryMaps AI assistant to your benefit","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-the-arcgis-storymaps-ai-assistants","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-08-12 16:44:09","post_modified_gmt":"2026-08-12 23:44:09","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2887922","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2968761,"post_author":"129801","post_date":"2026-06-11 05:05:11","post_date_gmt":"2026-06-11 12:05:11","post_content":"","post_title":"Cohesive design: Maps","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"cohesive-design-maps","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-07-23 05:42:56","post_modified_gmt":"2026-07-23 12:42:56","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2968761","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2973880,"post_author":"397314","post_date":"2026-07-22 13:00:09","post_date_gmt":"2026-07-22 20:00:09","post_content":"","post_title":"Cohesive design: Story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"cohesive-design-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-07-22 08:25:33","post_modified_gmt":"2026-07-22 15:25:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2973880","menu_order":0,"post_type":"blog","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"short_description":"Create custom themes in ArcGIS StoryMaps with the AI-powered assistant that helps define colors, typography, and visual style.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"If you\u2019ve been using ArcGIS StoryMaps for a while, you\u2019re likely familiar with the theme builder to modify the look and feel of your content. It\u2019s an easy way to visually transform your work. But what if you\u2019re feeling creatively stuck and don\u2019t know where to begin? That\u2019s where the ArcGIS StoryMaps assistant<\/a> can help. This AI-powered assistant can generate a custom theme based on keywords, descriptions, or reference images you provide. Well-crafted descriptions and strategic reference images can help produce stronger results that are likely to align with your creative vision.<\/p>\n This blog shares practical tips for generating better theme results with AI to speed up your creative workflow.<\/p>\n Note: Your ArcGIS Online administrator must configure AI assistants before you can access them. Learn more about the ArcGIS StoryMaps assistant here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2973898,"id":2973898,"title":"simple-line-divider-light","filename":"simple-line-divider-light.png","filesize":711,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/cohesive-design-story\/simple-line-divider-light","alt":"","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"","name":"simple-line-divider-light","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2973880,"date":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","modified":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","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":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":19,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":32,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-1536x64.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":64,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-826x34.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":34,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" The ArcGIS StoryMaps theme builder<\/a> lets you customize the design of your content with endless color, font, and style choices. This gives you granular control over the various design decisions in a theme, and while this level of customization is crucial for organizations, it can be overwhelming if you don\u2019t already have an established color palette or brand. The assistant can help define an accessible visual identity by generating a custom theme based on a few keywords or descriptions. Even if you don’t use the generated theme as-is, it can be a valuable brainstorming tool\u2014giving you new ideas for color palettes or font combinations that you haven’t yet explored.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2982267,"id":2982267,"title":"Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440","filename":"Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","filesize":451223,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/generate-a-theme-with-the-arcgis-storymaps-assistant\/generate-theme-steps-v5-1440","alt":"Steps to generate a theme with the AI assistant. Step 1 select generate theme, Step 2 describe your theme in written text, Step 3 edit the result.","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"Generate a theme: (1) select Generate theme, (2) describe your theme, and (3) refine the result in the theme builder.","name":"generate-theme-steps-v5-1440","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2982216,"date":"2026-09-16 15:16:35","modified":"2026-09-17 18:52:19","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":1440,"height":739,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":238,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":394,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","large-width":1440,"large-height":739,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","1536x1536-width":1440,"1536x1536-height":739,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":739,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440-826x424.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":424,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-theme-steps-v5-1440.png","wide_image-width":1440,"wide_image-height":739}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" While typing a few keywords or short descriptions will generate a theme, the quality of those descriptions can make a noticeable difference on the output. If the generated result is not what you were expecting, here are a few tips you can try to improve the outcome.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2973898,"id":2973898,"title":"simple-line-divider-light","filename":"simple-line-divider-light.png","filesize":711,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/cohesive-design-story\/simple-line-divider-light","alt":"","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"","name":"simple-line-divider-light","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2973880,"date":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","modified":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","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":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":19,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":32,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-1536x64.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":64,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-826x34.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":34,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" When describing your ideal theme, using descriptive language increases the likelihood that the generated result will align with what you have in mind. When you provide more specific cues, you’re helping guide the visual direction that the AI assistant will take.<\/p>\n Here are a few ways to improve your theme description<\/strong><\/p>\n Example: A story about flood zones<\/strong> with a modern style<\/strong> using greens and blues (#185eb2)<\/strong> in a somber<\/strong> tone, dark theme<\/strong>.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2973898,"id":2973898,"title":"simple-line-divider-light","filename":"simple-line-divider-light.png","filesize":711,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/cohesive-design-story\/simple-line-divider-light","alt":"","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"","name":"simple-line-divider-light","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2973880,"date":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","modified":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","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":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":19,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":32,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-1536x64.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":64,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-826x34.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":34,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Images communicate visual qualities that may be difficult to describe with words alone. That\u2019s why reference images are one of the best ways to guide the assistant toward a result that better aligns with your creative vision. If you have an image, such as a landscape photo, an illustration, or your organization\u2019s marketing materials, upload it as a reference image to help guide the generated theme.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2982438,"id":2982438,"title":"Reference-image-autumn","filename":"Reference-image-autumn.png","filesize":726622,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/generate-a-theme-with-the-arcgis-storymaps-assistant\/reference-image-autumn","alt":"User interface showing a landscape photo being uploaded as a reference image to generate a custom theme with the AI assistant in the theme builder.","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"Reference images help guide the assistant by providing visual cues. They can take many forms, including landscape photos, map screenshots, illustrations, and marketing materials.","name":"reference-image-autumn","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2982216,"date":"2026-09-17 18:45:27","modified":"2026-09-17 18:48:46","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":1440,"height":810,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","large-width":1440,"large-height":810,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","1536x1536-width":1440,"1536x1536-height":810,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":810,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn-826x465.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Reference-image-autumn.png","wide_image-width":1440,"wide_image-height":810}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Additionally, you could combine multiple images into a single collage-style artboard and use that as a reference image. To do so, gather multiple images, such as photos, illustrations, and logos into a single document, then upload a screenshot of that collage.<\/p>\n Here are a few reference image ideas to try<\/strong><\/p>\n The best approach to generating a theme that aligns with your expectations is a combination of tips 1 and 2. Pairing a detailed text description with a reference image gives the AI assistant the best possible chance at generating a theme that reflects your vision. For example, you might pair a screenshot of your stylized map with a description that specifies HEX color codes.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2982404,"id":2982404,"title":"Generate-description-pair-3","filename":"Generate-description-pair-3.png","filesize":584989,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/generate-a-theme-with-the-arcgis-storymaps-assistant\/generate-description-pair-3","alt":"Pairing the description \"A story about animal habitats in the city. Green #1A713A\" with a reference image of a map to generate a theme in the theme builder.","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"Pairing a description with a reference image can help generate results that better align with your creative intention.","name":"generate-description-pair-3","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2982216,"date":"2026-09-17 15:26:04","modified":"2026-09-17 15:26:18","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":1440,"height":780,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":251,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":416,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","large-width":1440,"large-height":780,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","1536x1536-width":1440,"1536x1536-height":780,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":780,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3-826x447.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":447,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Generate-description-pair-3.png","wide_image-width":1440,"wide_image-height":780}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" You might also try uploading a single collage image that contains various colors, fonts, illustrations, and photographic images, and then pair it with a text description that defines theme lightness.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2973898,"id":2973898,"title":"simple-line-divider-light","filename":"simple-line-divider-light.png","filesize":711,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/cohesive-design-story\/simple-line-divider-light","alt":"","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"","name":"simple-line-divider-light","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2973880,"date":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","modified":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","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":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":19,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":32,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-1536x64.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":64,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-826x34.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":34,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" These practical tips can help generate better results, but what if it\u2019s still not exactly what you wanted? The good news is that you can use the generated theme as a starting point and modify the details to get it just right.<\/p>\n The AI assistant can generate endless color combinations; however, its font selection is limited. Currently, the assistant will only select fonts from the drop-down menu under the typography section\u2014a total of 29 font options. While the AI assistant is constrained to these 29 fonts, you have the option to add even more from Google’s extensive library<\/a> of over 1,000 font families. When evaluating your options, prioritize readability by choosing fonts that are clear, legible, and accessible to a wide audience.<\/p>\n Additionally, be sure to check for adequate color contrast before finalizing your color palette. If a color does not have sufficient contrast against the background, a red warning icon will appear in the color box, indicating that the color should be adjusted to improve legibility.<\/p>\nCustom themes with AI<\/h1>\n
Tip 1: Use descriptive language<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Ocean conservation, construction updates, deforestation, flood zones<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Vintage, historical, modern, bookish, 1950\u2019s Swiss design<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Rainforest, wildfire season, winter berries, greens and blues. If your brand uses specific HEX color codes, include them in your description (for example, #185eb2).<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Playful, optimistic, formal, somber<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Light theme, dark theme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTip 2: Use reference images to guide the result<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>Photo, illustration, presentation slide, poster, etc.<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Screenshot of a highly stylized map that will be featured in your content<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Brochure, flyer, logo, branded letterhead<\/li>\n
\n<\/strong>Compile various types of images into a single document<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2982421,"id":2982421,"title":"Types-of-references-4","filename":"Types-of-references-4.png","filesize":1014903,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/constituent-engagement\/generate-a-theme-with-the-arcgis-storymaps-assistant\/types-of-references-4","alt":"Three columns of images showing the different types of reference images to include in the generate theme builder. Column 1 a collage of images, Column 2 a map screenshot, Column 3 branded materials such as a presentation slide.","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"Different types of reference image ideas to try: (1) A collage of images, (2) a map screenshot, (3) branded materials.","name":"types-of-references-4","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2982216,"date":"2026-09-17 17:27:19","modified":"2026-09-17 18:25:47","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":1440,"height":682,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":220,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":364,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","large-width":1440,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","1536x1536-width":1440,"1536x1536-height":682,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","2048x2048-width":1440,"2048x2048-height":682,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4-826x391.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":391,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Types-of-references-4.png","wide_image-width":1440,"wide_image-height":682}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2973898,"id":2973898,"title":"simple-line-divider-light","filename":"simple-line-divider-light.png","filesize":711,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/cohesive-design-story\/simple-line-divider-light","alt":"","author":"397314","description":"","caption":"","name":"simple-line-divider-light","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2973880,"date":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","modified":"2026-06-29 17:16:25","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":80,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-213x80.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":80,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":19,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":32,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","large-width":1920,"large-height":80,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-1536x64.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":64,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":80,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light-826x34.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":34,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/simple-line-divider-light.png","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":80}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"Tip 3: Combine text description with a reference image<\/h2>\n
Tip 4: Customize the generated theme<\/h2>\n