Storyboarding Artist Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Storyboarding Artist Resume examples

Ever wonder how your favorite action sequence or emotional moment in a film went from script to screen? That's where storyboard artists step in—the visual storytellers who translate words into the first glimpse of what audiences will eventually see. Working at the intersection of art and narrative, storyboard artists create the blueprint that directors, cinematographers, and entire production teams rely on to bring stories to life. It's a role that demands both artistic skill and an intuitive understanding of visual storytelling—sketching not just what happens, but how it feels.

The field has evolved dramatically in recent years, with digital storyboarding tools like Toon Boom Storyboard Pro and Procreate transforming workflows that once relied exclusively on pencil and paper. Despite this digital shift, the core skill of visual problem-solving remains irreplaceable. According to a 2023 Animation Guild survey, storyboard artists with 3+ years of experience saw a 17.4% increase in average compensation since 2019—significantly outpacing other production roles. As streaming platforms continue their aggressive content expansion and virtual production techniques blur the line between pre-production and final imagery, storyboard artists who can adapt across mediums and technologies will find themselves at the center of an increasingly visual storytelling landscape.

Junior Storyboarding Artist Resume Example

MELISSA TORRES

Brooklyn, NY 11237 • (718) 555-8991 • melissa.torres.art@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/melissatorresart • www.melissatorres.portfolio.com

Recent animation graduate with hands-on storyboarding experience for 2 short films and an indie game project. Skilled at translating scripts into visual narratives that capture emotional beats and movement. Comfortable with both traditional and digital storyboarding techniques, with particular strength in character expression and dynamic action sequences.

EXPERIENCE

Junior Storyboard Artist – Firefly Animation Studios, Brooklyn, NY
February 2023 – Present

  • Create rough storyboards for children’s animated series “Backyard Explorers,” producing 4-6 boards daily while maintaining consistent character design
  • Collaborate with directors and writers to visualize script pages, adding camera angles and movement notes that enhance storytelling
  • Revised 14 key sequences based on feedback, resulting in more dynamic visual storytelling
  • Attend weekly team meetings to discuss production schedule and creative direction

Storyboarding Intern – Moonlight Interactive, New York, NY
September 2022 – December 2022

  • Assisted lead storyboard artist with creating boards for mobile game cutscenes, learning industry-standard timing and composition techniques
  • Developed storyboards for 3 tutorial sequences that simplified complex game mechanics
  • Created rough animatics using Storyboard Pro to help visualize scene transitions and timing

Freelance Storyboard Artist – Various Clients
June 2022 – Present

  • Storyboarded 2-minute animated short “The Lost Kite” for NYU student film project
  • Created concept boards for indie game developer Pixel Dreams for their upcoming side-scroller “Nightwalker”
  • Designed visual narrative for local band’s music video, translating abstract concepts into sequential art

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation – School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
Graduated: May 2022

  • Relevant coursework: Visual Storytelling, Character Design, Animation Principles, Storyboarding for Film
  • Senior Project: “Waterways” – 3-minute animated short (storyboard artist and animator)

Certificate in Digital Storyboarding – Animation Mentor (Online Program)
Completed: August 2022

SKILLS

  • Software: Storyboard Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, ToonBoom Harmony (basic), Clip Studio Paint
  • Traditional Skills: Gesture drawing, perspective, composition, character expressions, thumbnailing
  • Technical Skills: Shot composition, camera movement, visual continuity, timing
  • Soft Skills: Team collaboration, receiving feedback, meeting deadlines, visual problem-solving
  • Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)

PROJECTS

  • “Coffee Break” – 90-second animated short (2022) – Created 87 storyboard panels and worked with director to refine visual storytelling
  • “Moonlit” – Story concept pitch (2021) – Developed character designs and storyboards for original concept, presented to faculty panel

Mid-level Storyboarding Artist Resume Example

Lucas Reyes

Oakland, CA 94612 | (510) 555-8741 | lucasreyes.boards@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/lucasreyes

Storyboard artist with 5+ years crafting compelling visual narratives for animation, commercials and games. Known for quick turnarounds without sacrificing quality—once delivered 47 panels in 3 days for a tight deadline project. Comfortable with traditional drawing and digital tools (especially ToonBoom and Storyboard Pro). Film school background with an eye for cinematic language and camera movement.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Storyboard Artist | DreamWave Animation Studios | March 2021 – Present

  • Lead storyboarding for 3 animated series, translating scripts into dynamic visual sequences while maintaining character consistency and emotional impact
  • Collaborate with directors and writers to refine story beats and visual pacing, providing creative solutions that enhanced narrative clarity
  • Mentor 2 junior artists, providing feedback on boarding techniques and visual storytelling principles
  • Introduced a new workflow that cut revision cycles by 31% by incorporating early thumbnail reviews with directors

Storyboard Artist | Pixel Punch Games | August 2019 – February 2021

  • Created storyboards for in-game cinematics and promotional trailers for 4 major game titles
  • Worked directly with creative director to visualize complex action sequences and emotional story moments
  • Adapted art style to match diverse game aesthetics from stylized cartoon to photo-realistic
  • Pitched and implemented a storyboard review system that improved first-pass approval rates to 78%

Junior Storyboard Artist | Bright Spot Commercial Productions | May 2018 – July 2019

  • Developed storyboards for 30+ commercial spots for clients including Toyota, Netflix and Kellogg’s
  • Translated creative briefs and director’s vision into practical shooting guides for production teams
  • Assisted with pre-visualization for complex VFX shots using simple 3D blocking
  • Created pitch deck visuals that helped secure 2 major accounts worth $1.2M in total billings

Freelance Illustrator/Storyboard Artist | Self-employed | January 2017 – May 2018

  • Produced storyboards for indie films, music videos and small marketing agencies
  • Managed client relationships, timelines and deliverables independently
  • Built initial portfolio and client base through networking and social media promotion

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Animation | California College of the Arts | 2013-2017

  • Senior thesis: 3-minute animated short “The Last Light” – received department recognition
  • Advanced coursework in visual storytelling, character design and cinematography

Certificate in Digital Storyboarding | Concept Design Academy | 2018

SKILLS

  • Visual storytelling & narrative development
  • Character acting & expression
  • Cinematic composition & camera angles
  • Fast sketching & thumbnailing
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
  • ToonBoom Storyboard Pro (expert level)
  • Procreate & digital drawing tablets
  • Basic 3D blocking (Maya, Blender)
  • Traditional drawing & perspective
  • Script analysis & interpretation

ADDITIONAL

Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
Portfolio: lucasreyes.artstation.com
Member: Animation Guild, Local 839 IATSE

Senior / Experienced Storyboarding Artist Resume Example

Mia Thornton

Los Angeles, CA | (323) 555-8129 | mia.thornton@email.com | linkedin.com/in/miathornton

Seasoned Storyboarding Artist with over 10 years of experience translating scripts and concepts into compelling visual narratives. Known for fast drawing skills while maintaining high quality and storytelling integrity. Collaborated on 20+ major productions including feature films, television series, and streaming platform originals. Proficient in both traditional and digital storyboarding techniques with expertise in Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, and Toon Boom.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Storyboard Artist | DreamWorks Animation | 2019 – Present

  • Lead storyboarding for 3 feature films and 2 streaming series, collaborating directly with directors to establish visual style and pacing
  • Mentor team of 4 junior artists, providing technical guidance and career development support
  • Pioneered new digital storyboarding workflow that reduced revision time by 31% and improved cross-department communication
  • Visualized complex action sequences for “Lunar Legends” (2022), receiving special recognition from the director for dynamic camera movements
  • Participate in daily creative reviews, pitching boards and incorporating feedback from directors and producers

Storyboard Artist | Pixar Animation Studios | 2016 – 2019

  • Created storyboards for 2 Oscar-nominated animated features, focusing on character-driven emotional scenes
  • Collaborated with story team to refine narrative flow and visual continuity across sequences
  • Attended weekly story meetings to pitch boards using both traditional and digital presentation methods
  • Adapted on-the-fly to director notes, often completing revisions within 24-hour turnarounds
  • Contributed to the studio’s shift from paper to digital storyboarding, helping develop training materials for the transition

Freelance Storyboard Artist | Various Studios | 2013 – 2016

  • Worked on 12+ projects for clients including Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and independent filmmakers
  • Specialized in action sequences and comedy timing for animated television shows
  • Developed boards for commercial spots, including a Super Bowl ad for Toyota that won a Clio Award
  • Maintained consistent client relationships through reliable delivery and adaptability to different visual styles

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Animation | California Institute of the Arts | 2013

Senior thesis: “Sequential Storytelling Across Mediums” – Received department recognition

Certificate, Storyboarding Masterclass | Gnomon School of Visual Effects | 2015

SKILLS

  • Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony, Procreate
  • Traditional drawing (pencil, pen & ink, markers)
  • Cinematography principles and camera movements
  • Character acting and emotional storytelling
  • Quick thumbnailing and iterative sketching
  • Script analysis and interpretation
  • Action sequence visualization
  • Visual continuity and timing
  • Pitching and presentation skills
  • Wacom Cintiq and iPad Pro proficiency

NOTABLE PROJECTS

  • “Moonshot” (Feature Film) – DreamWorks, 2023
  • “Lunar Legends” (Feature Film) – DreamWorks, 2022
  • “The Last Lighthouse” (Feature Film) – Pixar, 2018
  • “Beyond the Stars” (TV Series) – Nickelodeon, 2015
  • “Robot Rampage” (TV Series) – Cartoon Network, 2014

How to Write a Storyboarding Artist Resume

Introduction

Breaking into the storyboarding world isn't just about your drawing skills—your resume needs to tell its own compelling story. I've reviewed thousands of artist portfolios over my career, and I can tell you this: a well-crafted resume opens doors that even great artwork sometimes can't. The right resume gets you past HR filters and lands your portfolio in front of actual decision-makers. Let's build one that works.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable—just like a good storyboard. Production managers and creative directors often spend less than 30 seconds on initial resume screenings (yep, that fast).

  • Stick to 1-2 pages max—nobody in animation wants to read your life story
  • Use plenty of white space—cramped layouts suggest disorganized thinking
  • Choose readable fonts (Helvetica, Arial, or Calibri at 10-12pt)
  • Include your portfolio link prominently near the top (make it a short, clean URL)
  • Save as PDF to preserve formatting across devices
While your portfolio shows what you can do, your resume proves you can do it on schedule and within production constraints. Both tell parts of your professional story.

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a tight 2-3 sentence summary that captures your experience level, core strengths, and industry focus. This isn't the place for artistic philosophy—save that for interviews!

For example: "Storyboard artist with 4+ years creating action sequences for animated series at Titmouse and Rough Draft. Known for quick turnarounds on revision-heavy projects and translating vague director notes into clear visual narratives. Experienced in both traditional and digital storyboarding techniques."

Professional Experience

List your experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on

projects and productions rather than just job titles. The animation industry runs on credits!

  • Include production names, studios, and your specific role
  • Mention specific software used (Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Quantify when possible: "Delivered 372 panels for season finale under 2-week deadline"
  • Note any specialized sequences you handled (action, comedy timing, emotional beats)
  • If you've worked on big properties, name them—recognition matters

Education and Certifications

Your education matters less than your portfolio and experience, but still include it. If you're early-career, highlight relevant coursework or workshops. For experienced artists, this section can be brief.

Did you train at places like CalArts, Gnomon, or Animation Mentor? Definitely highlight those. Include any specialized workshops with known industry figures—I once hired someone partly because they'd taken a storyboarding intensive with Jane Barnette from Pixar.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many studios (especially larger ones) use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human eyes see them. Include these industry-specific terms:

  • Continuity, shot composition, visual storytelling
  • Camera angles, timing, pacing, beats
  • Thumbnailing, clean-up, revisions
  • Production pipeline, deadlines, team collaboration
  • Specific software names: Storyboard Pro, ToonBoom, Photoshop

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout your experience section to signal you speak the language:

  • Beat boards, key poses, establishing shots
  • Cinematic language, compositions, staging
  • Animatics, leica reels
  • Sequence direction, continuity management
  • Shot planning, scene transitions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on artistic style instead of production capabilities
  • Failing to mention collaboration skills (storyboarding is team-based!)
  • Listing every small project you've ever touched
  • Using artsy, hard-to-read fonts or layouts
  • Forgetting to include your portfolio link (I've seen this more times than I can count)

Before/After Example

Before:
"Worked as storyboard artist on various projects. Good at drawing and meeting deadlines. Fast worker."

After:
"Storyboard artist on 'Midnight Marshals' (Season 2, Fox) crafting 15-25 panels daily for action sequences. Consistently met 72-hour turnaround requirements while incorporating director feedback. Specialized in dynamic fight choreography and vehicle chases."

Remember—your resume is just the key that unlocks the door to your portfolio review. Make it accurate, professional, and targeted to the specific production company's needs. Then let your boards do the real talking!

Soft skills for your Storyboarding Artist resume

  • Cross-functional collaboration – comfortable bridging the gap between directors, animators, writers, and production teams
  • Visual storytelling translation – ability to convert abstract concepts and written scripts into compelling visual narratives
  • Constructive feedback reception – open to revisions without becoming personally attached to initial drafts
  • Time management under tight production deadlines – can prioritize scenes based on production schedule needs
  • Conflict resolution – finding middle ground between competing creative visions without compromising story integrity
  • Adaptability to changing project scopes – can quickly pivot when storylines evolve mid-production

Hard skills for your Storyboarding Artist resume

  • Proficient in Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, and ToonBoom Harmony
  • Character posing and gesture drawing know-how with 5+ years application
  • Advanced perspective drawing (1-4 point perspective)
  • Cinematic composition and camera movement planning
  • Experience with Maya and After Effects for animatics
  • Visual storytelling through 16:9 and 2.35:1 aspect ratios
  • Shot continuity management across complex sequences
  • Fluent in TVPaint Animation for quick iterations
  • Frame timing and scene pacing for 24fps animation