Storyboards

What are storyboard?

• Storyboards are a way to visualise a story through sketches. In animation or film, it’s like building a prototype for a film.
• In UX design, it helps us visualise what people need and how they might use the product.
  • What they need, want, etc.

Stories are powerful!

• Visualisation
  • Pictures tell a thousand words
• Memorability
  • Stories are a lot more memorable
• Empathy
  • People relate with characters that face similar challenges to themselves
• Engagement
  • Stories capture attention quickly and help people stay engaged with it

Storyboarding ties user stories and user personas together

• When you think of your user persona as a character, it helps make a convincing story for your product.
• Storyboards are a good way to convince stakeholders and clients to understand what your product is all about.

In essence, a great storyboard communicates a compelling story very well to the audience

• Doesn’t matter if you’re a good illustrator or not, the important part is conveying the story through sketches and visualisation.
• Consists of:
  • Character
  • Scene
  • Plot
  • Narrative
• Always has a beginning and ned, rising action and falling action, etc.
• Account for:
  • Clarity
    • Clear story
  • Authenticity
    • Real experiences
  • Simplicity
    • Not too complex
  • Emotion
    • Emotions your character experiences
• Translate your original story ideas into frames
  • Start with short sentences and emoticons to represent emotions → Turn these into sketches in frames

Case Study — AirBnB Storyboard