Things You Need to Know about a Storyboard

Webb Smith, an animator, came up with the concept of storyboard in 1933. The idea behind it had been there for a while, though – it was about creating a storyline through arranging several pictures on a bulletin board.

Storyboards are not only used in the world of films and videos, but also in theater and advertising professionals. Storyboards are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their efficiency and convenience. Not only do they help streamline the creative process in interactive media, filmmaking, and video production, but also set a standard for visualizing art and creativity.

What is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is an essential tool in any visual production process such as films, animations, video games, and other multimedia projects. By creating a storyboard, producers, directors, animators, and game makers can design and plan their projects before production. Moreover, storyboards are also useful in some aspects such as easier communication processes with clients or investors, and time and cost savings in the production processes. This article will explain more about the importance of a storyboard in visual productions and provide tips for creating professional storyboards.

A storyboard is very important in graphic design because it allows designers to plan their projects well before starting the actual design process. A storyboard provides an opportunity to evaluate concepts, layouts, and visual elements before making decisions that can be costly and time-consuming to modify. A storyboard usually consists of a set of pictures arranged in a certain order, which represents the scenes of the story completed with dialogue and technical instructions such as cameras and sound effects.

Advantages of Storyboards in Graphic Designs

Here are some of the advantages of storyboards in graphic designs. 

1. Project plans. Storyboards allow designers to plan their projects well and define the necessary elements to create consistent, effective designs.
2. Clients’ communications. Storyboards can be used as a communication tool with clients to explain design ideas and concepts before the design process begins, allowing them to provide input and approval.
3. Time and cost saving. By evaluating concepts and visual elements before starting the design process, storyboards can save time and money to make changes after the design is complete.
4. Organizations. Storyboards allow designers to arrange visual elements in a logical order and make designs easier to follow.
5. Flexibility. Storyboards allow designers to change or add visual elements easily during the design process.
6. Visualizing. Storyboards provide a visual representation of how the design will look when it is finished, allowing the designer to evaluate and make changes before the actual design process begins.

How to Create Storyboards Correctly

Here are some steps to help create storyboards. 

1. Starting with a clear script or story. The script or story will form the foundation of your storyboard, so it’s important to have a solid concept before proceeding.
2. Creating the scene outline. Create the scene outline that you will design in the storyboard. This will help you determine the order of the scenes and make the storyboard easier to follow.
3. Making simple drawings. Don’t focus too much on details in your storyboard. Focus on describing the scene in a clear, simple way, which will allow you to easily change it if necessary.
4. Adding dialogues and sound effects. Add dialogue and sound effects to your storyboard to give a better visual depiction of the scene. This will also help you in setting up scripts and dialogues before production.
5. Adding cameras and movements: Add cameras and movement instructions in your storyboard to give a visual representation of the scene. This will help you to make your storyboard more visual and allow you to see the scene from a different perspective.
6. Revising and evaluating. Feel free to revise and evaluate your storyboards. This will help you create better storyboards and allow you to make necessary changes before production begins.
7. Keeping it as simple as possible. Remember to stay focused on the essence of the scene you are about to depict. Don’t try too hard to make your storyboard too complicated as it will make the production process more difficult.
8. Being consistent. Always be consistent in your layouts and styles in making storyboards to make them easier for your team to read and to understand.