Storyboard Artist in Gaming & Film: Key Job Duties

What does a storyboard artist do?

A storyboard artist visually tells a story by creating a series of 2D images, known as a storyboard, from a written script. These images are created by hand or computer and are used to plan out the action, framing, and important scenes in the script. The storyboard serves as a guide for filming live-action scenes and animating the story.

Storyboards are used as a guide for production in film, television, advertising, video gaming, and all forms of moving media. They are vital as they convey the spirit of the story through gesture, emotion, movement, and logical progression of action.

Storyboard artist job description

A storyboard artist creates a visual representation of the script by setting out the look, timings, camera angles, and points of view of each scene. They must accurately interpret the director’s vision to create a guide that is used by the rest of the crew and production team. For a clearer picture, we also suggest you go through Exploring the Art of Narrative Design with Megan Starks sharing her expert experience and unique approaches in the field.

Role & responsibilities of a storyboard artist in film and games:

Liaising with writers, animators, and directors regarding the look, style, and level of detail required for the storyboard of each production
Reading and interpreting scripts
Breaking down the script with the director to identify key scenes and plan them visually
Sequencing the scenes from a script into storyboard format using panels of images
Including special effects in the storyboard frames
Identifying lighting requirements and articulating circles of tension within each scene
Including key dialogue or scene directions within each frame
Briefing animators on key scenes within the storyboard
Amending storyboard scenes during production

Skills required to become a storyboard artist

Storyboard artists need to be able to draw (people, objects, actions, and environments) legibly and efficiently and require strong visual storytelling skills to bring a script to life before production. Taking a 2D animation course is highly beneficial to honing your skills as a storyboard artist.

Film and game studios may look for the following skills in storyboard artists:

Ability to collaborate effectively with concept artists, writers, directors, clients, etc to visualize the story
Knowledge of various styles and genres
Understanding of the principles of animation
Knowledge of the principles of storytelling, ie: the hero’s Journey
Ability to interpret the ideas of others into detailed drawings
Strong layout and design skills
Adaptability in working with different directors who will demand varying degrees of complexity from storyboards
Skills in both hand drawing and computer drawing
Solid knowledge of camera angles and cinematography techniques

What software and tools do storyboard artists use?

Storyboard artists may work with a combination of pen and paper and computer software.

Storyboard artists may need knowledge of a combination of the following software:

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Toon Boom Harmony

Conclusion: Give Yourself In

Storyboard artists, as the name suggests, are essential in film and game development—they bring scripts to life through visual storytelling. They make detailed storyboards that outline the story’s essence, giving the whole production team a clear plan to follow. To do this job well, you need artistic skills and an understanding of filmmaking and animation. If you can also tell a good story with pictures, this might be the job for you! We also composed publishing on Game Development Art: Forge Your Path with M3DS Academy , so you can better visualize your game development journey with M3DS Academy.

With these talents (and some industry know-how), aspiring storyboard artists could help create the next big thing—everyone loves a good story. If this sounds up your street, why not check out our game development academy programs ? Plus we have individual courses and there are loads of guest speakers on our masterclasses so you’ll get tips from the best in the field—a must if you want an edge when job hunting afterward!

Step into the world of learning to create digital worlds. Apply today and start your journey now.