Build Your First StoryMap
Apply geographic thinking to create an interactive map-based narrative about a meaningful place. Follow along step-by-step to practice spatial storytelling.
🎯 What You'll Build
A geographic story map featuring a meaningful location, demonstrating how to:
- Frame a place through compelling narrative
- Integrate geographic context and location details
- Embed interactive maps that reveal spatial relationships
- Combine visual media with spatial information
📋 Before You Start
Make sure you have:
- ✓ An ESRI account (Module 01)
- ✓ Basic platform knowledge (Module 02)
- ✓ Photos or images of your chosen place
- ✓ Geographic details: coordinates, boundaries, characteristics
- ✓ A 2-3 paragraph story explaining why this place matters
🌍 Geographic Learning
This lab helps you develop:
- ✓ Place-based thinking skills
- ✓ Spatial communication ability
- ✓ Geospatial storytelling expertise
- ✓ Capacity to connect place to narrative
⚖️ Evaluation Criteria
Your StoryMap will be evaluated on:
- ✓ Narrative Arc: Compelling introduction and conclusion
- ✓ Map Integration: Effective use of maps to support text
- ✓ Media Quality: High-res images with proper sourcing
- ✓ Geographic Depth: Clear spatial analysis or insight
📚 Recommended Reading
Before diving into the builder, we highly recommend reviewing this official guide from the StoryMaps team. It provides excellent context on how to structure your narrative.
Open Guide
Choose Your Topic
5 minutesGeographic Question: Every place has a unique story shaped by its location, history, environment, and people. Choose a meaningful location and consider what geographic insights you can share about it.
How natural systems and human activities shape landscapes
- Local watershed health and water quality mapping
- Urban heat islands and temperature inequality
- Invasive species spread patterns and ecological impacts
- Climate change impacts on a specific region or ecosystem
- Natural disaster risk assessment and resilience
- Biodiversity hotspots and conservation priorities
How cities develop and economic activities distribute across space
- Neighborhood walkability analysis and urban design
- Gentrification patterns and housing affordability
- Food deserts and nutritional equity mapping
- Public transit accessibility and mobility justice
- Economic inequality and neighborhood characteristics
- Urban redevelopment and community impact
How history, culture, and place intersect to create unique landscapes
- Civil rights movement locations and spatial histories
- Migration patterns and diaspora communities
- Archaeological sites and cultural heritage preservation
- Indigenous land histories and territorial sovereignty
- Cultural district documentation and community identity
- Oral history and place-based memory mapping
How location affects health, wellbeing, and social equity
- Healthcare access disparities and provider distribution
- Environmental health hazards and vulnerable populations
- Disease patterns and epidemiological mapping
- Mental health resources and social support networks
- Air and water quality impacts on health
- Food security and nutritional health geography
How food systems and natural resources are distributed and managed
- Farm-to-table supply chains and food networks
- Land use changes and agricultural pressures
- Local and regional food systems mapping
- Water resources and irrigation patterns
- Sustainable and traditional farming practices
- Conflicts over land and resource access
How place inspires creativity and cultural expression
- Street art/mural mapping and urban creativity documentation
- Music scene geography and venue distribution
- Film location exploration and cinematic geography
- Architectural styles and building history across neighborhoods
- Festival mapping and cultural event geography
- Literary geography and author-place connections
How power, politics, and international systems shape space
- Geopolitical conflict zones and territorial disputes
- International development and inequality patterns
- Border regions and transnational communities
- Climate migration and displacement impacts
- International trade networks and supply chains
- Global cultural diffusion and glocal adaptation
How people visit, experience, and impact leisure destinations
- Ecotourism sustainability and environmental impacts
- National Park and protected area management
- Heritage tourism routes and cultural sites
- Economic impact of festivals and major events
- Destination branding and place marketing
- Accessible tourism and inclusive recreation
📝 Geographic Planning Guide:
Before you start building, answer these geographic questions:
- Location: Where exactly is this place? (latitude/longitude, region, country, context)
- Why it matters geographically: What makes this place significant? (unique features, cultural importance, environmental value, historical role)
- Key geographic characteristics: What should readers understand about its location, landscape, climate, or people? (3-5 details)
- Geographic story: What spatial relationships or patterns does your story reveal?
- Geographic evidence: What maps, data, images, or sources will show what you're explaining?
Create a New Story
2 minutesThere are two ways to start a new story. Choose the one that works best for where you currently are in the platform.
Method A: Direct Builder Access (Fastest)
- Go directly to builder: To Creator →
- Sign in with your ESRI account.
- Click "New story" (big button).
- Select "Start from scratch".
Method B: From Your Dashboard
If you are on the StoryMaps home page:
- Click "Create" in the top header.
- Select "Story" from the dropdown menu.
- Choose "Start from scratch".
Think of arcgis.com as your "digital drive." It's where your StoryMap, any maps you make, and uploaded assets are securely stored. Even if you edit in the StoryMaps builder, everything lives in your ArcGIS Content.
Design Your Cover
5 minutesThe cover is the first impression. Let's make it count!
- Click on the cover block to edit it
-
Add a background:
- Click "Add image or video"
- Upload one of your photos (choose your best one!)
- Or select "Browse" to use a stock image
-
Add your title:
- Click "Add title"
- Type a compelling title (keep it short!)
- Example: "Discovering Austin's Hidden Gems"
-
Add a subtitle:
- Click "Add subtitle"
- Briefly describe your story
- Example: "A local's guide to the best spots in Texas' capital"
💡 Pro Tips for Great Covers:
- Use landscape-oriented images (wider than tall)
- Avoid busy images that compete with text
- Ensure good contrast between image and title
- Keep titles under 8 words
- Unsplash.com: Excellent source for free, high-quality stock photography.
- AI Generation: Try using tools like Gemini or Nanobanana to generate a custom image if you have a specific vision!
Cover images are always cropped to fit different screen sizes (mobile vs. desktop). It is impossible to show the entire image on every device.
How to fix it:
- Avoid "Safe Zones": Don't put text or vital details on the very edges of your photo.
- Set the Focal Point: Click the "gear" or "focal point" icon on your image to tell StoryMaps which part must always remain visible.
- Recommended Ratios: Use landscape images with 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratios for best results.
Add Your Introduction
5 minutesAfter the cover, hook your readers with an engaging introduction.
- Click the "+" button below the cover
- Select "Text" from the menu
-
Add a heading:
- Type your section title
- Highlight it and select "Heading 1" from the format menu
-
Write your introduction:
- 1-2 paragraphs explaining your place
- Why does this place matter?
- What will readers discover?
📄 Example Introduction:
Welcome to Zilker Park
Nestled in the heart of Austin, Texas, Zilker Park is more than just green space - it's the city's outdoor living room. From the natural spring-fed Barton Springs Pool to panoramic views of the downtown skyline, this 350-acre urban oasis offers something for everyone.
In this story, I'll take you on a journey through my favorite spots in this beloved park.
Add an Express Map
8 minutesNow let's add the geographic heart of your story—an interactive map!
- Click the "+" button to add a new block
- Select "Map" from the menu
-
Choose "Express map"
(This is the built-in map maker - perfect for quick maps)
-
Search for your location:
- Type your place name in the search bar
- Press Enter or click the search result
- The map will zoom to that location
-
Add a point marker:
- Click the "Add" button
- Select "Add point"
- Click on the map where you want the marker
- Add a title and description in the popup
-
Customize your marker:
- Change the icon (pin, star, etc.)
- Adjust the color
- Add an image to the popup if desired
- Click "Place map" when finished
• Numbered points (1, 2, 3...) for sequential tour stops
• Lines for routes and paths
• Freehand drawing for custom shapes
• Arrows to show direction or highlight areas
• Text annotations to label map features
📝 Stretch Goal:
Add 2-3 more point markers to highlight different features of your location. Connect them with a line if they form a route or path!
Add More Content Blocks
5 minutesFlesh out your story with additional content. Try adding at least two more blocks:
📝 Suggested Structure:
- Cover (done)
- Introduction text (done)
- Map (done)
- Image with caption
- More descriptive text
- Another image or quote
- Closing text with call-to-action
Apply a Theme
3 minutesGive your story a polished look by applying a theme:
- Click "Design" in the top header bar.
-
Explore the Design Panel:
- Cover Layout: Choose how your title and image overlap (Full, Side-by-Side, or Minimal).
- Navigation: Toggle "Navigation" ON to automatically create a table of contents from your Headings.
- Theme: Select a pre-made value (Summit, Obsidian, Tidal, etc.) to instantly change fonts and colors.
- Select a theme that fits your story's mood!
💡 Make It Yours (Don't Stick to Defaults!):
- Avoid the Default: Changing the theme is the easiest way to make your story stand out. The default theme is functional, but customizing it shows you care about design.
- Match the Mood: Use "Obsidian" for space/night topics, or "Tidal" for water/clean topics.
- Test Different Covers: Try the "Side-by-Side" layout; it often looks more professional than the standard full screen.
Preview and Publish
5 minutesTime to see your story as readers will experience it! Don't skip this step.
- Click "Preview" in the top-right corner.
-
Use Multi-Device Preview:
Use the floating toolbar to check responsiveness:
- Desktop: Check the wide-screen layout.
- Tablet: Ensure sidecars and images display well.
- Phone: Critical Check! Ensure your cover image isn't cropped awkwardly and text is readable.
-
Polish Your Story Card:
Before publishing, go to Story settings > Story card.
- Thumbnail: Upload a clean image (this is what people see on social media).
- Summary: Write a 1-sentence hook.
- Tags: Add "Geographic Storytelling" and your topic.
-
Click "Publish" when ready:
- Set sharing to "Everyone (Public)" so we can review it.
- Click "Publish" to go live.
Once published, copy the URL from your browser address bar (it should act look like
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/...).
Paste this link into the Canvas assignment submission box to complete the lab!
💡 Updates & Edits:
Found a typo after publishing? No problem! You can edit your story anytime. The live link won't change until you click "Publish" again. Watch for the "Unpublished Changes" badge in the builder.
✅ Lab Completion Checklist
Make sure your StoryMap includes: