Storyboard
A storyboard is a visual planning tool that sequences sketches, images, or frames to illustrate how users will interact with a product, experience, or narrative
TL;DR
- Visual sequence showing steps or interactions.
- Used in design, film, and product development.
- Aligns teams on flow before production.
- Helps identify gaps or friction early.
Definition
A storyboard is a visual representation of a sequence, often through drawings or frames, used to plan user experiences, interactions, or narratives before full production.
Detailed Overview
Storyboarding has its roots in filmmaking and animation, but it has become a staple in product design and development. It allows teams to map out experiences visually, showing step-by-step how a user will interact with a feature or journey. By putting abstract ideas into a sequence of frames, storyboards make it easier for teams to understand intent and flow before investing in development.
A frequent question is why storyboards are useful in product design. They bridge the gap between abstract requirements and concrete design. Instead of just reading specifications, stakeholders can see how interactions unfold in context. This clarity reduces misinterpretation and highlights potential pain points early. For instance, storyboarding a checkout process may reveal unnecessary steps or confusing flows that written descriptions alone would miss.
Another common query is how storyboards differ from wireframes. Wireframes focus on the layout of individual screens, while storyboards emphasize sequence and user actions across multiple touchpoints. A storyboard answers the question “What happens next?” rather than “What does this screen look like?” Both tools are complementary, with storyboards providing narrative and wireframes providing detail.
Teams also ask about fidelity. Storyboards don’t have to be polished or artistic. Simple sketches, stick figures, or annotated screenshots can effectively convey meaning. The goal is communication, not perfection. By keeping fidelity low, teams can iterate quickly and focus on flow rather than aesthetics.
Accessibility and inclusivity are sometimes raised in storyboarding conversations. Including diverse users and scenarios in storyboards ensures designs reflect a wide range of needs and contexts. For example, storyboarding with accessibility in mind might include frames showing a user navigating with a screen reader or voice input, ensuring teams consider these needs early.
Learn more about this in the Storyboard Exercise, taken from the UX Design Deliverables Lesson, a part of the UX Design Foundations Course.
A storyboard focuses on the sequence of events and user interactions, while a wireframe shows the layout and structure of a single screen. Together, they complement each other.
Storyboards answer the “what happens next” question, while wireframes address “what does it look like.”
No. Storyboards can be low-fidelity, using sketches, stick figures, or simple diagrams. The goal is communication and clarity, not artistic quality.
Low fidelity also encourages iteration, since teams feel free to change and experiment.
Storyboards clarify flows, align teams, and highlight issues before development. They allow teams to visualize user journeys and reduce misinterpretation of written requirements.
This early clarity saves time and resources while improving product usability.
Designers create storyboards, but product managers, developers, and stakeholders benefit from them. They provide a shared visual language across disciplines.
By aligning everyone, storyboards prevent confusion and foster collaboration.
Including diverse user scenarios in storyboards ensures different needs are considered early. For example, depicting a user interacting through voice commands highlights accessibility requirements.
This approach helps teams design products that are more inclusive and adaptable.
Recommended resources
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Lessons
Customer Journey Mapping
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Projects
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HappySense App - Case Study
Shahyti - food delivery app
