Storyboard
A sequence of panels that shows a person using a product or a service in context, step by step.
What it’s for
Makes the context and moment of use visible, and gives the whole team a shared language to talk about the idea.
Key elements
A person
Someone specific, with a goal.
A context
Where and when it happens.
Steps
What happens before, during, and after.
How it’s done
Choose the situation and the person.
Draw the steps in a few panels.
Share it and gather feedback.
Applications in design
When to use it
To explain an idea to clients or users before building anything.
Avoid
Drawing only screens instead of the situation.
Don’t fall for it
Also draw what happens before and after using the product.
Connections
Authors and works
- 2006
Corrie van der Lelie
Showed that style matters: a sketchy storyboard invites comments; a highly finished one discourages them.
Sources
Original sources
- van der Lelie, C. (2006). The value of storyboards in the product design process. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 10(2), 159–162. View source: van der Lelie, C. (2006)
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