Storyboard Artist

Storyboard Artist: Crafting visual narratives that ignite imagination and emotion

About

Storyboard artists play a crucial role in the entertainment and media industries, as they are the visual architects of storytelling. With their artistic abilities and keen understanding of visual communication, they take written scripts, concepts, or ideas and transform them into detailed illustrations known as storyboards. For this, they often use Adobe Photoshop, Storyboarder, Autodesk Sketchbook, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Canva, etc. These illustrations provide a visual representation of the narrative flow, camera angles, composition, and character movements for various media projects, including animation, film, television shows, commercials, and video games.

As skilled illustrators and visual storytellers, storyboard artists collaborate closely with directors, producers, writers, and other creative professionals to visually translate their ideas and visions into a coherent and compelling storyboard. Their work serves as a blueprint for the entire production process, guiding animators, cinematographers, and designers in bringing the project to life.

Overall, being a storyboard artist is a rewarding and creative career choice for individuals who are passionate about visual storytelling, possess strong artistic skills, and have a keen interest in the world of animation, film, and media production. Their contribution plays a significant role in shaping the final product and bringing captivating stories to audiences around the world.

Eligibility

To embark on a career as a Storyboard Artist, candidates need to meet specific eligibility criteria, encompassing education, skills, experience, and other vital requirements. This section outlines the necessary qualifications and attributes to become a successful Storyboard Artist.

Education Qualification:

To pursue a career as a Storyboard Artist, candidates typically need to meet the following education criteria:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Animation, Film Studies, Fine Arts, or a related field

2. Storyboarding Courses or Workshops: Specialized courses or workshops focused on storyboard creation, cinematography, and narrative development can enhance the candidate's skills and knowledge.

 

Job Roles

Storyboard Artists play a crucial role in visual storytelling, helping directors and production teams plan and communicate the visual narrative before it is filmed, animated, or brought to life in various creative endeavors. Following is the list of top  job profiles available:

1. Storyboard Artist (General)

2. Storyboard Illustrator

3. Storyboard Concept Artist

4. Visual Development Artist

5. Previsualization (Previs) Artist

6. Story Artist

7. Animatic Artist

8. Layout Artist

9. Storyboard Revisionist

10. Storyboard Supervisor

11. Storyboard Clean-up Artist

12. Cinematic Artist (for video games)

13. Advertising Storyboard Artist

14. Television Storyboard Artist (for TV shows and series)

15. Film Storyboard Artist

16. Animation Storyboard Artist

17. Interactive Media Storyboard Artist (for interactive experiences and apps)

Employment Sectors

Storyboard artists can showcase their storytelling skills and contribute to the visual planning and execution of various media and entertainment projects.

Refer to the list of employment sectors for storyboard artists:

  1. Animation Studios
  2. Film and Television Production
  3. Video Game Development
  4. Advertising and Marketing
  5. Previsualization (Previs) Studios
  6. Theme Parks and Entertainment Attractions
  7. Music Videos
  8. Educational Media and E-learning
  9. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Development
  10. Television Commercials and Promos
  11. Web Series and Digital Content
  12. Interactive Media and Games
  13. Film Pitch Development

Top Recruiters

With their keen eye for composition, artistic flair, and ability to translate scripts into dynamic visual sequences, Storyboard Artists are highly sought after by some of the most renowned companies and studios, as given below:

  1. Animation Studios (e.g., Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Blue Sky Studios)
  2. Blizzard Entertainment
  3. Naughty Dog
  4. Universal Studios
  5. Web Series and Digital Content Producers
  6. Educational Media and E-learning Companies
  7. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Development Companies

Remember that list is not exhaustive, and there may be other companies and industries recruiting storyboard artists.

 

Salary

Salaries for storyboard artists in India can vary based on factors such as experience, skill level, the size of the company, location, and the specific industry they work in. Here's a general overview of the salary ranges for storyboard artists in India:

Entry Level 

₹200,000 to ₹400,000 per year

Senior Level 

₹400,000 to ₹800,000 per year

Top Level 

₹800,000 to ₹1,500,000+ per year

Skills

Storyboard Artists need a diverse set of skills to effectively visualize and communicate the story's flow, camera angles, and character interactions. The following skills are typically sought after in candidates aspiring to become Storyboard Artists:

  1. Drawing and Sketching
  2. Visual Storytelling
  3. Cinematography and Pacing
  4. Knowledge of human and animal anatomy 
  5. Ability to depict emotions through character expressions
  6. Familiarity with digital drawing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, or other relevant tools 
  7. Collaboration and Communication with directors, producers, and the creative team
  8. A vivid imagination and the ability to think outside the box
  9. Attention to Detail
  10. Time Management
  11. Receptiveness to Feedback

Scope

Storyboard artists are integral to the pre-production process, where they play a key role in visualizing and planning the sequences, shots, and narrative flow of films, TV shows, commercials, video games, and more.

With the rise of immersive experiences in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive media, storyboard artists have expanded opportunities to shape new forms of storytelling and user experiences. Their artistic vision and proficiency in visual storytelling make them sought-after professionals in a constantly evolving landscape of digital entertainment.

The career prospects for storyboard artists remain promising, offering a fulfilling and creative journey for those with a passion for storytelling and a talent for translating ideas into compelling visual sequences.

 

Benefits

  1. Visual Storytelling: Storyboard artists get to express their creativity through visual storytelling, bringing scripts and concepts to life.
  2. Integral to Pre-production: They play a crucial role in the pre-production process, guiding directors and teams in planning shots and sequences.
  3. Versatility: Storyboard artists can work in various industries, including animation, film, TV, advertising, and gaming.
  4. Impactful Contribution: Their storyboards shape the foundation of projects, influencing the overall narrative and direction.
  5. Continuous Learning: The field evolves with technology, offering opportunities for skill growth and adapting to new tools.

Drawbacks

  1. Tight Deadlines: Storyboard artists may face pressure to meet project timelines, leading to long working hours.
  2. Competitive Field: Securing jobs or freelance projects can be competitive due to the demand for skilled storyboard artists.
  3. Revision Requests: Meeting client expectations may involve multiple revisions to match specific visions.
  4. Freelance Challenges: Freelancers may experience inconsistent income and the need to manage their business aspects.