What is a Storyboard? Why is it essential in an Explainer Video?

A sequence of drawings that projects a visual preview of each scene of an explainer video is known as the storyboard. Storyboarding is one of the main components of the pre-production stage of an explainer video.

It is considered as the visual script of an explainer video that offers clarity to people involved in the production process. An animator can ensure that the visuals remain focused on a client’s message if there is a storyboard. It enables an animator to finish a project on time and it has been used for animation for decades.

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard is regarded as the graphic organizer which plans the narrative. It becomes the visual representation of a script. It shows the scene-by-scene narrative flow of a video. Storyboards usually consist of hand-drawn sketches with notes written within the margins. It works like a map for the production team.

However, the storyboard contains no details concerning the background, colors, or character design. These elements are developed as part of project illustrations which are created once the storyboard has been confirmed.

The Benefits of Storyboarding in Animated Video Production

Storyboarding is a vital step in the process of producing animated videos. Some of the advantages of storyboarding are –

• It enables an animator to visualize the work after the completion of an explainer video. It depicts the sequence of shots, movement of the characters, and visual elements in a series of panels. If there is a storyboard, then an animator can ensure that the result is consistent with the requirement of a project and is visually appealing.
• An animator can identify the potential issues with a project at the early stage if there is a storyboard. Thus, an animator can make necessary alterations to the project at the right time.
• A well-delineated storyboard serves as a roadmap during the production phase of an explainer video for the members of the animation team alongside helping the voiceover artists.
• All members of the production team can be on the same page if there is a storyboard for an animated video. Thus, they can work towards the same goal. It eliminates any possibility of mismanagement during the production phase.

Types of Storyboarding

1. Animatic Storyboard

It takes time to develop an animatic storyboard since it involves animation. This type of storyboard helps an artist in planning out all the steps of making an animated explainer video.

2. Written Storyboard

The written storyboard is made from the pattern of the scenes that are going to take place in the final explainer video. It is made from the written narration of a scene. It contains no sketching and features no design of the characters which are supposed to be in an explainer video.

3. Thumbnail Storyboard

This type of storyboard contains texts from the script enabling an artist to develop a concept according to the script. The scenes are drawn later in a way that they can be paired with the text.

5 Steps to Storyboarding Your Explainer Videos

Step 1: Start with a script/voice-over

A storyboard cannot be created without a script or voiceover because they represent the message of an explainer video. After creating a 1-2-minute-long script, an animator breaks it according to the scenes. If there is a script for the explainer video, then an animator can review the storyboard and ensure that the video is being created according to the specified requirements.

Step 2: Align your storyboard with your goal and brand

The purpose of the second step is to ensure the delivery of the correct message through an explainer video. At this step, a storyboard artist and other members of the animation team are going to –

• Consider the visuals of an explainer video that portray the message
• Consider the target audience and make an explainer video that is comprehensible to them
• Determine the style of animation (motion graphics, stop-motion, 2D animation, or 3D animation) for the video
• Determine the length of an explainer video along with the cost of production

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Step 3: Draw your storyboard

Through creative illustrations, an artist can show how the story of an explainer video is supposed to be featured on the screen. The following tasks are carried out by the storyboard artist at this phase.

• Painting each scene with a clear illustration of the character(s) and their unique traits
• Making a list of all elements and graphics used in the production of an explainer video
• Portraying the environment of each scene in detail
• Sketching the story by drawing square boxes and adding the characters, background, supporting elements, and environment according to the requirements of each scene
• Making a list of on-screen texts
• Making a list for the video production team to let them know what is expected from each scene

Step 4: Add the script and notes

The lines from the video script are added below each scene which enables the illustrators or shooters to flawlessly animate all scenes and helps the voice actors in understanding each scene.

Step 5: Be flexible and open to changes

After finishing the storyboard, an artist must,

• Ensure that it is aligned with the brand messaging and marketing strategies of a business
• Receive insights from the video production team to ensure the success of an explainer video

The Significance of Storyboarding in an Animated Explainer Video

The storyboard works as a draft of the final image that is supposed to be featured on the screen.

• It eliminates any possibility of confusion during the production phase.
• It keeps each member of the animation team informed about the structure of an explainer video and lets them make necessary changes to the scenes before the production.

Conclusion

According to animation studios, storyboarding is a vital part of making animated explainer videos. The animation studios hire experienced storyboard artists for this task.

With a storyboard for an explainer video, the animators and other members of the team can ensure that the final product is going to be engaging while fulfilling the requirements of a client.

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