How to Be Storyboard Artist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 29, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increasing need for storyboard artists has caused an influx of new talent entering the profession. This has led to more competition in the industry and higher expectations of quality from employers. As a result, the storyboard artist must now possess a much wider range of skills than in the past, including traditional drawing and painting, digital art and animation, and understanding of film structure and pacing.

They must also be proficient in using software such as Adobe Photoshop and After Effects, as well as having an eye for detail and good communication skills. With these higher expectations, storyboard artists now have the opportunity to become leaders in the industry by creating memorable and impactful visuals for films, television shows, and other media.

Steps How to Become

Take art classes or pursue a degree in a related field, such as animation or drawing. Storyboard artists must have a good understanding of composition, perspective, anatomy, and color theory.
Develop your drawing skills by sketching and drawing regularly. Focus on figures, landscapes, and other storyboard-related topics.
Build a portfolio of your work that showcases your skill level and style.
Reach out to animation studios, film production companies, and video game developers to learn about potential job openings.
Take on freelance projects to build up your portfolio and gain experience in the field.
Create a website or social media page to showcase your work and make yourself more visible to potential employers.
Attend workshops or continuing education courses to stay up to date on changes in the field.

Storyboard artists are essential to the production of films and television shows, as they are responsible for creating the visuals that will be seen by viewers. Their work is important in the pre-production stage, as they are the ones who create the visual representations of the directors concepts. The quality of the storyboards created by a storyboard artist directly affects the success of the production, as it can make or break the visualization of the directors ideas.

If done correctly and efficiently, they can help to ensure that the production runs smoothly and that all elements are properly integrated. Furthermore, reliable storyboards can help to ensure that the production process is cost-effective, as they can help to prevent costly mistakes due to a lack of communication between departments. Therefore, storyboard artists need to be reliable and efficient in order to create visuals that accurately reflect the directors vision and contribute to a successful production.

You may want to check Comic Book Artist, Mime Artist, and Art Installer for alternative.

Job Description

Conceptualize and develop storyboard visuals for television, film, and digital media.
Create storyboards that effectively communicate the desired story, mood, and pacing for a production.
Design and draw storyboards that align with creative briefs and scripts.
Collaborate with creative teams to refine and refine storyboards.
Prepare storyboard presentations for review.
Generate storyboard panels and animate them using specialized software.
Adapt storyboards to accommodate changes in scripts or production direction.
Work with directors to ensure that the storyboards meet their vision.
Research production references and develop storyboard scenes accordingly.
Work with editors to ensure smooth transitions between storyboard panels.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Creative and artistic vision
Ability to interpret storyboards and script breakdowns
Strong drawing skills, including the ability to draw in a variety of styles
Proficiency in storyboarding software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Final Draft, Storyboard Pro and Toon Boom
Attention to detail
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Knowledge of film production processes
Understanding of animation techniques
Time management and organizational skills

Storyboarding is a crucial skill for any artist in the animation field. This involves creating visuals that help tell a story, from concept art to character designs to backgrounds and environments. Storyboard artists must be able to take ideas from writers and directors, and create visuals that accurately depict the vision.

It requires a creative eye for composition, as well as an understanding of narrative structure, character design, perspective, and color theory. It also requires a strong collaboration between the storyboard artist and the director, as well as the ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. This skill is essential for any successful production of an animated work, as it provides a blueprint for the entire project.

Artistic Director, Visual Artist, and Graphic Artist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a storyboard artist?
What methods do you use to develop storyboards?
How do you collaborate with others to ensure successful storyboarding?
What challenges have you faced when creating storyboards?
What techniques do you use to help visualize and communicate the story effectively?
How do you handle changes or revisions to your storyboard?
How do you stay organized and on schedule when creating storyboards?
What techniques do you use to ensure that the storyboard communicates the desired message?
How do you stay creative when creating a storyboard?
How do you ensure that the storyboard is visually engaging?

Common Tools in Industry

Storyboard Pro. A powerful and professional storyboard software that helps storyboard artists create and animate stories for film, television, and animation. (e. g. Used by Pixar and Disney to create their animated films)
Storyboard Quick. An intuitive storyboarding software for quickly creating visuals for animation, video, and comics. (e. g. Used by Nickelodeon to create their cartoons)
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. A comprehensive storyboarding solution designed to help storyboard artists create dynamic visuals. (e. g. Used by Dreamworks to create their animated films)
FrameForge Storyboard Studio. A powerful storyboarding tool that enables artists to quickly animate stories. (e. g. Used by Sony Pictures to create their animated films)
Adobe Storyboard. A free online storyboarding tool that allows users to create and present interactive digital stories. (e. g. Used by YouTube creators to create their videos)

Professional Organizations to Know

Animation Guild
Visual Effects Society
International Animated Film Association
National Cartoonists Society
International Game Developers Association
International Animated Film Society
Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists
Women in Animation
Digital Media Licensing Association
Society of Illustrators

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Common Important Terms

Story. A narrative that is presented through words, images, sounds and other elements.
Script. A written document that outlines the events and dialogue of a story.
Sequence. A series of shots or scenes that are combined to form a larger story.
Storyboard. A visual representation of a sequence or film, typically drawn as a series of panels that show the action and dialogue.
Composition. The arrangement of elements in a shot, such as the placement of characters and objects in the frame.
Visual Language. A set of symbols, shapes and colors used to convey meaning within a story.
Animation. The process of creating movement in a scene using drawings, objects or computer-generated images.
Character Design. The design of characters, including their physical features, clothing, and other visual elements.
Background Design. The design of the environment in which characters exist, including buildings, landscapes and other elements.
Color Theory. The use of color to create a desired mood and atmosphere in a story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Storyboard Artist?

A Storyboard Artist is an artist who creates graphic representations of the sequence of events in a film, television, or other media production.

What skills are necessary to be a successful Storyboard Artist?

To be successful as a Storyboard Artist, one must possess strong drawing, sketching, and illustration skills, as well as an understanding of cinematic language and the ability to visualise a story.