Everyone has a story to tell and with ArcGIS you can make your story. In this DSC Guide Deep Dive, we take a look at the visual ways to tell stories and create timelines with ArcGIS StoryMaps.

ArcGIS StoryMaps is an online tool that merges storytelling with mapmaking, allowing users to exercise their creativity to illustrate stories, map out history, and create interactive timelines. With StoryMaps, students, educators, and the general public can design unique and immersive projects.

Developing a visual narrative with ArcGIS StoryMaps is free, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require significant digital skills. To get started, create a free account or sign in using either a Google, Apple, Github, or Facebook account. From there, you can select New story to create a StoryMap from scratch or via quick start, which offers time features such as sidecar, a scrolling panel; guided map tour, for sequential narration; or explorer, for non-sequential narration.

ArcGIS StoryMaps also offers a collection of tutorials and guides to help new users get started with its features and storytelling offerings. If you want inspiration for StoryMaps, you can view completed public stories in a variety of categories including Editor’s Picks, Arts and Culture, Causes and Advocacy, Nature and Environment, News and Events, and Travel and Recreation.

As an example of what is possible with StoryMaps, we completed a StoryMap with digital materials from UNT Digital Library’s COVID-19 Response series. Students, faculty, and staff contributed materials throughout 2020 and 2021 chronicling UNT response to the pandemic and their personal experiences.

Explore the StoryMap

To see more materials including photos, videos, and interviews, visit the UNT Digital Library’s COVID-19 Response series.