Storyboard Artist
About this Role
A storyboard artist is the visionary bridge between script and screen. They translate the written word into a series of sequential comic-strip-like panels, visually mapping out the narrative flow of a film, animation, or game. Think of them as the director's sketch artist, using their drawing skills and storytelling instincts to capture key scenes, camera angles, character actions, and lighting. Their work serves as a crucial blueprint for the entire production, ensuring everyone from animators to cinematographers are on the same page, leading to a cohesive and visually stunning final product.
Salary Resources
Key Responsibilities
- Transform scripts, game design documents, and gameplay concepts into clear and engaging storyboards that communicate the intended flow and emotion of the game.
- Compose dynamic storyboards for cutscenes, cinematics, and in-game events, using camera angles, framing, and composition to enhance storytelling and emotional impact.
- Closely work with game directors and writers to understand the narrative vision, interpret key moments, and translate them into visually compelling sequences.
- Utilize storyboards to effectively showcase gameplay mechanics, character interactions, and level layouts, ensuring clarity and understanding for other teams.
- Proficiently employ composition, framing, perspective, and cinematic shots to convey narrative beats, character emotions, and action within the game world.
- Vary panel size, layout, and transitions to control the pacing and rhythm of the story, building tension, excitement, and emotional impact.
- Utilize dynamic poses, expressions, and body language to portray character emotions, actions, and reactions within the storyboard sequences.
- Ensure storyboards align with the game's overall visual style, tone, and character designs, contributing to a cohesive visual experience.
- Effectively communicate storyboard ideas and receive feedback from directors, writers, and other teams, adapting and refining storyboards for optimal impact.
Learning Resources
- How to build a storyboard by Canva
- Drawing & Composition for Visual Storytelling
- The Animation Story Group - Discord Server
- Storyboarder Free Tool
- StoryboardArt Tutorials and Guides
- Storyboard Artist: Everything You Need To Know
- How to Become a Storyboard Artist by Teal
- What is a Storyboard Artist?
- How to Become a Storyboard Artist by YellowBrick
- How to Become a Storyboard Artist: Easy Peasy by Emiliano Pardo Saguier
Recommended Books
- Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
- The Art of the Storyboard: Storyboarding for Film, TV, and Animation by John Hart
- Acting for Animators: 4th Edition by Ed Hooks
- From Word to Image-2nd edition: Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process by Marcie Begleiter
- Cinematics Storyboard Workshop: Filmmaking Essentials for the Entry-Level Storyboard Artist by Gregg Davidson
- Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation by Francis Glebas
- Storyboarding Essentials: SCAD Creative Essentials by David Harland Rousseau and Benjamin Reid Phillips
- Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers by Marcos Mateu-Mestre
- The Storyboard Artist: A Guide to Freelancing in Film, TV, and Advertising by Giuseppe Cristiano
- Sketching for Animation: Developing Ideas, Characters and Layouts in Your Sketchbook by Peter Parr
- Storyboards: Motion in Art by Mark Simon
- Drawing Basics and Video Game Art: Classic to Cutting-Edge Art Techniques for Winning Video Game Design by Chris Solarski
Tools to Learn
You don't need to learn all of these — they are some of the more common tools for this role.
Game EnginesAdobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorClip Studio PaintToon Boom HarmonyStoryboard ProOpenToonzComicLifeKritaWacom Cintiq or similar drawing tabletMarmoset ToolbagLens StudioMiroFigmaMaquetteFrame.io