Storyboard Artist

A Storyboard Artist is the key to plotting and embedding energy and emotions into a games’ narrative. By sketching out rough scenes, they help the rest of the team visualise, pitch, and develop a new game.

Being a visual storyteller is at the heart of this creative role. An exceptional Storyboard Artist, draws upon a strong visual language to communicate plot development imaginatively, often with no text.

Knowledge of animation, film, and being able to render is paramount. Larger studios can often carry a team of Storyboard Artists so the ability to work with others and being able to adapt your designs to provide continuity are also valuable skills to possess.

Art

You’ll love this role if you’re into:

Telling Stories
Drawing
Designing things

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YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY

Many Storyboard Artists have a degree, which provides professional development and a recognised qualification to employers. However, there are many available pathways and all people working in games claim a unique career journey. Above all, you will need to demonstrate passion and skills in your chosen field. For this job role, you should be someone who thinks visually, loves to draw and to tell stories.

As a professional, you’ll be using a range of tools including Photoshop, Inkscape and Illustrator. We recommend you go to our tool picker to help you choose the right tool for your current level.

Working in the games industry is highly competitive and you’ll need to make sure your portfolio (a collection of your best work) stands out to employers and course leaders.

As a Storyboard Artist, your portfolio should showcase your ability to render action imaginatively and effectively. Display your versatility by including a range of different styles. You may want to showcase your best strengths by including relevant supporting material for example life drawing, environment sketches and character design.

Once you have a portfolio, you can showcase it on platforms like Behance, ArtStation or through your own website. For more ideas, see our top tips page on building your portfolio.

Whatever role you are working in, it is essential that you understand the game making process. You can head to our build a game section for first steps; join a regular game jam to build up your skills and network; or start modding others games to gain experience.