How to Become a Storyboard Artist: Skills, Education, and Career Path

A storyboard artist is a creative professional who creates visual representations of a story or script by outlining the key moments and scenes in a visual and chronological manner.

Storyboarding is an essential step in the production of animated films, TV shows, commercials, and other visual storytelling mediums. It serves as a roadmap for the director and the production team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page before filming begins.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what it takes to become a storyboard artist and the various skills and qualifications required for the role. We will also delve into the different career paths available in the field. We will understand how to prepare for a successful career in storyboarding.

Who is Storyboard Artist?

A storyboard artist is a creative professional who visually translates a script or concept into a sequence of illustrations. Their job is to sketch out key scenes in a project, like movies, TV shows, or commercials, to guide the production team. By creating these visual blueprints, they help directors and producers understand the flow of the story before filming begins, ensuring everyone is aligned on the project’s vision.

What is the job of a Storyboard Artist?

Storyboard artists play a crucial role in bringing a creative project to life. They gather information about the project and the goals of the production team to create storyboards. A storyboard is a visual representation of the narrative that shows how the story unfolds through a series of illustrated frames.

They work closely with the directors and use the scripts as a guide. The storyboard artists depict the story in a way that is easily understandable. They may use traditional tools like markers and pencils or digital technology to create their illustrations.

How to become a storyboard artist?

To become a storyboard artist, you have to follow these major steps:

Sharpen your illustration skills

Sharpening your illustration skills is an important first step toward a career as a storyboard artist. To broaden your skillset, don’t shy away from experimenting with different mediums, both traditional. Traditional mediums can be pen, pencil, and marker and digital mediums can be graphic design and animation software. As a storyboard artist, having proficiency in both can be beneficial for your work.

Get a degree

If you’re passionate about art and want to grow your professional network then earning an art degree could be a great option for you. There are different art degrees you can choose from that are common worldwide.

A popular option is a Bachelor of Fine Arts, which is available from institutions with strong art programs and focuses on particular art forms like animation and graphic design. Another option is a Bachelor of Arts in studio art or visual art, which is a more general degree that also includes a liberal arts curriculum. Lastly, for those seeking advanced study, there’s the Master of Fine Arts, which offers specializations in areas like drawing and painting, graphic design, and film and television.

Apprenticeships

Working as an apprentice is an excellent way to earn while you learn. Look for junior storyboard artist apprenticeships. Artistic projects are key to developing production skills and collaborating with other artists.

Once you have the necessary qualifications, you can apply for formal storyboard artist positions or find entry-level roles in the animation, production, or advertising industries. Roles such as production assistant, runner, illustrator, background designer, and storyboard revisionist can help you transition into a full-time career as a storyboard artist.

Portfolio Building

Create a strong portfolio by showcasing your storyboarding and animatic skills. Your portfolio doesn’t have to be limited to just storyboards, it should showcase your abilities in illustration, storytelling, and the ability to enhance others’ ideas.

Opportunities for expanding your portfolio can come from indie films, local theatre productions, small-budget advertisements, and independent projects. You can work as an illustrator, background designer, or storyboard revisionist on these projects.

Conclusion

To become a storyboard artist, one must possess a combination of creativity, technical skills, and an understanding of storytelling. Pursuing a degree in animation or graphic design, and building a portfolio of work are all effective ways to break into the field.  With hard work, dedication, and a passion for storytelling, anyone can become a successful storyboard artist in the entertainment industry.

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