My Graphic Design in Cartography course (GEOG 572) at UW-Madison (2022) demanded a longform infographic or “scrollytelling” map that follows a three-act narrative. Therefore, I chose to tell the story of the changed migration patterns of California and Texas post-COVID.
The narrative was designed using ArcGIS Storymaps, while ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Illustrator, and Datawrapper were used to design maps and graphics. Commencing with an overview of the pandemic's national context, the story then zooms in on COVID-19 cases and housing affordability in California and Texas, employing sidecar elements comprising images, text, and graphs.
Maintaining a journalistic tone, a subdued grey background with a calming teal shade is used throughout to give the narrative a non-biased feel. The correlation between nation-wide median housing costs and domestic migration is shown with a bivariate choropleth map. A vertical timeline illustrates pre- and post-pandemic changes in California and Texas. As the story unfolds, a blend of multimedia elements was used providing deeper insights into the dynamics at play in both states. Throughout the narrative, California's outward migration is depicted in brick-red hues, contrasting with shades of teal representing Texas's inward migration. Concluding the story, a flowmap highlights ongoing trends, accompanied by quotes from diverse sources underscoring the enduring impact of the pandemic at the time on U.S. migration patterns.