Creating your own Story Map

Story Maps are web applications that allow you to combine the functionality of interactive maps with multimedia content (photos, videos, audio, timelines) into one unique app. Check out the possibilities here: http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/app-list/

Some of them, such as the Side Accordion, will need for you to download the code and customize it a little. I encourage you to do this since it is very powerful and not as intimidating as it sounds. Click on learn more to choose and download the template, as well as accessing the tutorial.

To Create a Story Map

- Go to My Content, then choose your map, click on the inverted arrow to Open in map viewer.

- Then Click on Share button in the top menu. Always make sure you map is shared with the public,

and all the sharing properties for the layers are updated. Click on the Create a Web App button

- At the bottom, Click on Page 4 and Choose Story Map Journal and click on Create Web App .

- Enter the Title, Tags, Summary for your Story Map and click Done

- Click Start

Configure your story map

You will see a new window of Map Journal Builder, follow the following steps to configure your story map:

1. What do you want to call your Map Journal? - Enter the title for your story journal - "Toxic Chemical Releases in South Carolina". Then click the forward arrow.

2. After this, you should be able to see two different sections of your story map: Main Stage and Side Panel

- SECTION 1: You should be asked to enter the content for your Main Stage, you can add a map , image, video or webpage.

• In this case we will add a image ( Always start your story map with a picture/v to attract the audience)

  • • Click on Image then choose URL:

    • Go to google.com and search for images for toxic releases. Find a good quality image and open it. Right click on that image and Copy image address

    • Paste the URL copied to your main stage content image window.

• Then, you should be asked to fill the content for Side Panel

• • You can enter the text for your related map or you can search on google.com and copy information from there. Make sure you always give credits to the source.

  • You can also add an image to the content by clicking on the camera icon in the menu and paste the URL of the image. Click Save

- SECTION 2: To add a new Section - Click on the ADD SECTION button at the bottom.

• You should be asked to enter the content for your Main Stage, you can add a map , image, video or webpage

  • Enter the title for this section: Toxic Chemical Releases in South Carolina

  • In this section we will add a map we created, so click on the drop down menu after Map and choose the Map you created : Mapping Toxic Chemical Releases in SC

  • Leave the settings default.

• Then, you should be asked to fill the content for Side Panel

  • You can enter the text for your related map or you can search on google.com and copy information from there. Make sure you always give credits to the source.

  • You can also add an image to the content by clicking on the camera icon in the menu and paste the URL of the image. Click Save

Changing the settings for the layout of your story map

To change the layout of your story map, Click on the Settings in the Top Menu of your Map journal builder. A new window will open and you will able to see the tabs for changing the Layout, Layout Options, Theme, Fonts, and Header.

- Layout - Under this tab, you have two options for the panel: Side Panel or Floating. Choose the one you think will work for your story.

- Layout Options - Under this tab, you can change the position of your side panel from left to right and you can change size of your panel and mainstage ( Small, Medium or Large). This is totally on you whichever you think will work best.

- Theme - Under this tab, you can change the color theme for your story.

- Fonts - Under this tab, you can choose the type of font you want to have for your Section title and Section Content.

- Header - This tab allows you to change the header for your story. You can change the logo, customize the link or share your story on facebook/twitter or create bit.ly link.

Once you have everything configured, click Apply.

On the top right corner of your story map, click Save and make sure it is public.

Once you saved it, in the top menu click on Share. This will provide you with a link to your story map. For example : http://arcg.is/1Nn9L1L

You can also embed the story map on your website but due to default layout settings of the story maps, they look better on a web browser.