Creating a great explainer video doesn’t just happen by accident—it takes careful planning, and a storyboard is your secret weapon in the process. Think of it as a visual guide that steers your video from start to finish, ensuring the message is clear and the visuals grab attention. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about storyboarding for an explainer video—from why it’s essential to how to create one of your own.
What Exactly is an Explainer Video Storyboard?
In simple terms, a storyboard is a series of images or sketches that show how each scene in your explainer video will look. You can think of it as the video’s visual script, outlining the flow scene by scene, and showing how the visuals will match with the narration or script.
Each storyboard frame typically includes:
- A rough sketch or image showing what will appear on screen
- The script or narration for that particular scene
- Notes about transitions, animations, or special effects
- Timing info for each scene
Storyboards can be as basic as hand-drawn sketches or as sophisticated as digital mockups, depending on what works best for you. The goal is to make sure your team understands your vision for the video.
Why You Can’t Skip the Storyboarding Step
- It Gives Clear Direction: Storyboarding turns your ideas into clear visuals. Without it, your team would be left to guess what you want, which could lead to mistakes, delays, and unnecessary changes.
- It Syncs Your Visuals with Your Script: Explainer videos are most effective when the visuals and narration align perfectly. Storyboarding helps you plan how each visual will support your script, making for a smoother and more engaging viewing experience.
- It Helps Avoid Production Issues: With a storyboard, you can spot potential problems before production even starts. By planning ahead, you save time, money, and a lot of headaches later on.
- It Makes Collaboration Easier: A storyboard gives everyone a concrete reference point to review and offer feedback. This collaborative approach ensures everyone is on the same page before resources are fully committed to production.
- It Helps You Manage Time and Resources: When you have a detailed storyboard, it’s easier to estimate how much time and effort each scene will require. This leads to more accurate timelines and budgets.
Types of Explainer Video Storyboards
- Hand-Drawn Storyboards: This is the classic approach, where each frame is drawn by hand on paper. It’s quick, simple, and doesn’t require much in terms of technical skills.
- Pros:
- Fast to create
- No fancy software needed
- You can make them anywhere
- Great for creative flexibility
- Cons:
- Not easy to share digitally
- Harder to update
- Quality depends on your drawing skills
- Digital Storyboards: These are created using tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or specialized storyboarding software. You get more polished results, and they offer flexibility in terms of editing.
- Pros:
- Easy to revise
- Looks professional
- Easy to share with the team
- You can add digital elements or stock images
- Cons:
- Requires some software knowledge
- Takes longer to make
- Can lead to overthinking small details
- Template-Based Storyboards: If you’re looking for something in between, using a template in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides could be the way to go. These options offer a balance of simplicity and flexibility.
- Pros:
- Easy for non-designers to use
- Consistent formatting
- Quick and easy to share
- Great for fast implementation
- Cons:
- Limited customization
- Might look generic
- Less creative freedom
How to Create a Great Explainer Video Storyboard
Step 1: Start with a Solid Script: Before you dive into storyboarding, make sure you have a script that clearly lays out your message. This script is the foundation of your video, guiding both your visuals and your decisions.
Here are some tips for your script:
- Keep it short—aim for 1-2 minutes or 150-300 words
- Focus on addressing your audience’s pain points and how you solve them
- Use easy-to-understand language
- Structure it with a clear beginning, middle, and end
Once your script is ready, break it down into smaller scenes or sections for your storyboard.
Step 2: Pick Your Storyboarding Method: Decide what approach works best for you:
- Hand-drawn sketches on paper
- Digital illustrations with design software
- Template-based storyboards using PowerPoint or Google Slides
- Specialized storyboarding tools
For beginners, using a template-based approach might be the easiest way to get started.
Step 3: Set Up Your Storyboard Template: Your storyboard template should have:
- A space for your visual sketch
- Room for the script text
- Notes about animations, transitions, and effects
- Frame numbers to keep things organized
You can find free storyboard templates online, or you can create your own based on your needs.
Step 4: Sketch Your Scenes: For each part of your script, create a visual that shows what the audience will see. Don’t worry about being an artist—stick figures or basic shapes can do the job!
Step 5: Align Visuals with Script: Each frame should include a short snippet of the script. This keeps the visuals tied to the narration, ensuring both work together to tell the story.
Step 6: Add Notes for Animation and Transitions: Don’t forget to include notes about how the visuals will transition or move. These details will guide your animators or editors.
Step 7: Review and Refine: Once you’ve put your storyboard together, review it carefully. Does each visual match the script? Is the flow logical? Are there any confusing parts? Get feedback from others to ensure everything is aligned before you start production.
Best Practices for Explainer Video Storyboards
- Keep It Simple: Avoid crowding frames with too much detail. Clear, simple visuals work best.
- Stay Focused on the Message: Make sure every visual element serves your main message. If it doesn’t, leave it out.
- Consider Your Brand: Your storyboard should reflect your brand’s look and feel—colors, fonts, and style.
- Mind the Pacing: Mix up the speed of your scenes to keep the viewer engaged.
- Visual Hierarchy: Make sure the most important elements stand out through size, position, and color.
- Plan for Accessibility: Keep accessibility in mind by noting things like text size and contrast.
- Leave Room for Creativity: Your storyboard should be a guide, not a strict rulebook. Let there be space for creative ideas during production.
Common Storyboarding Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the Script: Never storyboard without a script. It’s the foundation of your video!
- Not Enough Frames: Don’t skimp on frames. Aim for one per sentence in your script, or more for complex scenes.
- Ignoring Practical Limitations: Be mindful of your budget and timeline when planning your storyboard.
- Overlooking Transitions: Smooth transitions are key. Don’t forget to plan how your scenes will flow together.
- Focusing Too Much on Art: Storyboards are planning tools, not works of art. Focus on clarity instead.
- Not Getting Feedback: Always get input from others. It’s essential to spot issues early.
Tools and Resources for Storyboarding
Free Templates
- PowerPoint or Google Slides templates
- Printable PDF storyboard worksheets
- Industry-specific templates
Storyboarding Software
- Boords: A collaborative storyboarding tool
- Storyboarder: A free, open-source app
- Milanote: A visual planning tool that also does storyboarding
Image Resources
- Stock photos for visual references
- Icon libraries for simplified visuals
- Character creation tools for consistent character design
Learning Resources
- Online tutorials on storyboarding
- Video production blogs and forums
- Books on visual storytelling
Real-World Examples of Effective Storyboarding
- SaaS Example: A company used a storyboard to explain their data security platform, using simple visuals like locks and shields to make complex tech easy to understand.
- Nonprofit Example: A nonprofit used emotional storytelling in their storyboard, focusing on facial expressions and body language to convey deep emotions.
- E-Commerce Example: An e-commerce platform used a storyboard to map out a demo of their site’s user interface, showing each step in the journey and ensuring it worked well on mobile.
Conclusion
A good storyboard is the backbone of any successful explainer video. It’s your visual plan that helps guide the production and ensures your video communicates clearly and keeps viewers engaged. With the right steps and best practices, you can create a storyboard that will steer your video to success. Whether you’re working with a team or going solo, the right storyboard makes all the difference in creating a video that shines.
So, get started—grab your pencil or open your favorite design tool and begin storyboarding your way to success!