Mapping by Design

Create visual and geospatial stories that blend map science and map design.

To make aesthetically pleasing, informative maps, mapmakers and graphic designers have historically used time-consuming tasks and workflows as part of the job. But what if you could get to the aesthetic design of your mapping projects much sooner with access to accurate, detailed map layers and powerful mapping tools that could enhance your story? Enter ArcGIS® Maps for Adobe® Creative Cloud®, the mapping extension that connects Adobe® Illustrator® to the power of ArcGIS, Esri's geospatial software.

Mapping by Design: A Guide to ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud is the guidebook for making effective maps using Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud. Learn how to create compelling visual stories with maps following comprehensive tutorials designed to navigate readers through common mapmaking workflows. By connecting Illustrator to ArcGIS Online, this extension gives designers the power to create maps by providing easy access to authoritative digital maps and map layers. In Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud, this seamless connection means that you can add these digital map layers, perform many map enhancements and geo-analytical functions, and then download your maps as well-organized, ready-to-design files in Illustrator. Further, Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud allows ArcGIS Pro users to open their maps and layouts in Illustrator and continue adding and analyzing map data and layers.

Whether you are a creative seeking to make beautiful maps with a familiar graphic design application or a GIS Professional who wants to learn the ArcGIS Pro-to-Illustrator integration workflow, Mapping by Design serves as a practical guide for all mapmakers.

Award-winning cartographer Sarah Bell has been a professional mapmaker for more than a decade. She began at Esri in 2013 as a cartographer and datavisualization designer, and she is currently the lead product engineer for ArcGIS Maps for Adobe Creative Cloud. Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner, Joseph Ferrare and old puppy, Jasper.