Published on <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/storyboarding-6f9377ca6536?source=rss----eb297ea1161a---4">| Prototyping: From UX to Front End &mdash; Medium</a> LooseKeys <img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*2iNueluXHMvXt2ESvz0e6Q.jpeg">
Planning for any project is necessary for success, and it’s even that much more critical when planning a video. Over the years at <a href="http://www.loosekeys.tv/">LooseKeys</a> we’ve developed a pretty decent process for getting all the ideas needed down into one document.
After completing the script, we need to figure out all the images that we want to see in the video. It’s a bit daunting to open Illustrator or Photoshop and just start designing; plus what one member of the team creates might not match what someone else is working on for the project. So instead of just diving in without a framework we first create some rough storyboards. Storyboards represent the visual image of what the viewer will see and help determine how the story is going to unfold.
The first phase of the storyboard is often just for our in-house viewing; they are rough and sometimes only involve words like “zoom into the face.” If we sent these to our clients, they would be a bit confused.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*wY502ThyVv66bNAtqGDFbg.jpeg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*IanJWPQx2c0hHOytH7giuA.jpeg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*8KYrptwdRV882Dmly5sbgw.jpeg">
Executing these first storyboards are typically done in a couple of different ways. If it’s a project that the team at the Chicago office is working on, then we’ll print out our storyboard template, grab a pencil and sit around the conference table and start drawing. If the remote team is involved then we’ll jump on a video call, one person will take the lead by sketching, while the others all brainstorm ideas. Typically, the latter is how it works on most projects since everyone at <a href="http://www.loosekeys.tv/">LooseKeys</a> has their hands in just about every project we are producing.
What we end up with is a bit of a mess, but highly valuable to the team here. Sure, some of these drawings might look pretty bad, but it’s better than none at all.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*uNyuyQvYF3BueenR0Hy4cQ.jpeg">
Some frames are rudimentary, and some we’ve fleshed out more than others, but the overall process helps us to move onto the next phase of storyboarding. The goal is to have enough detail to give an impression of what is happening, if characters are needed and what the framing will look like without being too elaborate. Plus, you can always look at the script if a scribble is confusing. Having a visual aid like this makes it much easier for everyone on the team to be on the same page and understand the direction.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*MaqwY40R5Q7wPCUPnIJC_A.jpeg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*I1nMsC4iwagFZhR8qVFzGw.jpeg">
With those unembellished storyboards “completed” we can now dive into our software and start creating the illustrations that we’ll share with the client. For the most part, shots stay relatively close to the original vision, but there are always some changes that might come up as we’re moving forward.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/792/1*xqgvpEvI_da-zrwZO0kz1w.png"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/792/1*V7ob7wkki2R69JPrGj7uBw.png"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/792/1*bO-_cGInqE2wQgE85ihHKw.png"><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/792/1*BNZOFByaQd21al1IZK7bSg.png">
As the team works through the illustrated storyboards, it’s also a huge help to know what shots every member of the team is tackling. If <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Jacobwilliams">Jake</a> is making frame 21 and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ethanbarnowsky">Ethan</a> is making frame 25, they can ensure that their frames will sync up and they won’t be overlapping.
What we have in the end are good looking storyboards we can be proud to share with the clients. Things might change slightly during the animation process, but with everything designed and ready for animation, there is a substantial foundation for those next steps.
<h4>Tips to Keep in Mind When Storyboarding</h4>
<ul>
<li>Show! Don’t just write out what should be in the shots. Visuals are vital for telling a story and getting the idea across. Use the storyboards to determine how it’s going to be visualized.</li>
<li>Be Coherent. This tip is less critical when doing those rough sketches, but you’re creating a story, so the video should look consistent from start to finish.</li>
<li>Know Your Theme. It’s essential to have an idea of the style already in mind when going into the storyboard phase. If you’re doing live action then your frames are going to have people in the scene, if you are doing an infographic type video, you might have more icons and charts.</li>
<li>Don’t Stress. The storyboards are an early part of the projects life, and there is plenty of time to make changes as you move forward. Just because it’s on paper shouldn’t make you feel like it has to look like this. Projects change and new ideas pop up. You’re just trying to get the ball rolling here.</li>
</ul>
You’d never build a house without a blueprint so why would you want to do a video without a storyboard? Don’t be afraid to make some quick doodles just to get started; no one needs to see them and take it from us, you’ll have a stronger product when giving time and energy to proper pre-production.
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<a href="https://blog.prototypr.io/storyboarding-6f9377ca6536">Storyboarding</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.prototypr.io">Prototypr</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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