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Storyboard Artist - Career Profile

Written by Michelle Burton. Last updated August 01, 2019.

Storyboard Artist Career Profile

What Does a Storyboard Artist Do? Where Does a Storyboard Artist Work? ACR Takes a Look.

Schools That Offer Programs for Storyboard Artists
CollegeCityState
Brigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
California Baptist UniversityRiversideCalifornia
California State University FullertonFullertonCalifornia
Columbia College ChicagoChicagoIllinois
George Washington UniversityWashingtonDC
Indiana University South BendSouth BendIndiana
Massachusetts College of Art and DesignBostonMassachusetts
Montclair State UniversityMontclairNew Jersey
Pace UniversityNew YorkNew York
Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochesterNew York
San Jose State UniversitySan JoseCalifornia
Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannahGeorgia
University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCalifornia
Washington University-St. LouisSt. LouisMissouri
Watkins College of ArtNashvilleTennessee
Westfield State UniversityWestfieldMassachusetts

What Does a Storyboard Artist Do?

Storyboard artists draw storyboards for animated features, films, television commercials and other ad campaigns, music videos, video games, and more. The storyboard artist begins creating the storyboard after a concept or script has been written. The storyboard presents the “action” in a series of scenes or “panel by panel,” which allows filmmakers, advertisers, and producers to evaluate the project before beginning production. Storyboards are also used to provide direction during production. 

Storyboard artists draw scenes by hand or computer. They might sketch in black and white or produce full color storyboards manually or by computer. Also called “storyboarders,” storyboard artists work with producers, directors, and film crew from start to finish by sketching scenes during initial meetings, and editing or eliminating scenes as the project progresses.

Where Do Storyboard Artists Work?

Job opportunities for storyboarders are pretty extensive. Because they are fine artists, plenty of opportunities for storyboard artists exist outside of entertainment. In addition to animation studios, film studios, game development companies, television studios, and advertising agencies, storyboard artists can find opportunities in graphic design, education, publishing, medical and healthcare, legal, forensics, government, science, architecture, and more.

What is the Job Outlook for Storyboard Artists?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports employment for fine artists as a major group. This includes illustrators, painters, and sculptors. Employment for this group is expected to grow 6% for the 2016-2026 decade, which is as fast as average for all occupations. This will add 3,100 positions to the current (salaried) workforce of around 53,400 artists. Keep in mind that the employment outlook varies by industry. For example, employment of animators is projected to grow 8% for the 2016-2026 decade.

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This is about as fast as average for all occupations. Employment in the film industry is projected to grow 12%, which is faster than average for all occupations, and employment in game development (software development) is projected to grow 24%, which is much faster than average for all occupations. Growth in both advertising and education is 10%, healthcare is 18%, and growth for both architecture and graphic design is 4%.

Other Schools to Consider:

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Full Sail University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Winter Park, FL & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Computer Animation - Online
  • Computer Animation - Florida Campus
  • Game Design - Online
  • Game Design - Florida Campus
  • Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Online
  • Graphic Design - Florida Campus
  • Simulation & Visualization - Campus
  • User Experience – Online
  • Artificial Intelligence - Online
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2024
  • Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2024
  • Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#36) - 2024
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Southern New Hampshire University
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • BA in Game Art & Development
  • BS in Game Programming & Development
  • BA in Graphic Design
  • BA in Graphic Design & Web Design
  • BA in Graphic Design + User Experience Design (UX)
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 50 Private Graphic Design Schools in the US (#46) - 2024
Image Campus Request info
Image Campus
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina & Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Desarrollo de Videojuegos (Tecnicaturas Superiores)
  • Producción y Game Design (Tecnicaturas Superiores)
  • Arte y Animación para Videojuegos (Tecnicaturas Superiores)
  • Producción y Animación 3D (Tecnicaturas Superiores)
  • Realización Integral de Dibujos Animados (Tecnicaturas Superiores)
  • Tecnicatura Superior en Animación 3D para Videojuegos (Tecnicaturas Superiores) - NUEVA - ONLINE
  • Programación de Videojuegos con Unreal, Unity y Godot (Tecnicaturas Superiores) - NUEVA - ONLINE
  • Unreal Connectors (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Virtual Production (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Introducción a Unreal Engine (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Diseño de Interacción 3D en Realidad Virtual con Unreal Engine (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Realidad Aumentada con Unity (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Realidad Virtual para Arquitectura (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Audio Inmersivo (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Animación Profesional 3D (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Modelado Profesional 3D (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Visualización Arquitectónica (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Motion Graphics (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • VFX (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Environments para Videojuegos con Unreal Engine (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Desarrollo de Videojuegos con Unity (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Game Design (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Concept Art (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Game Art (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Game Audio (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
  • Game Quality Analyst (Programas Profesionales - 100% Online en Vivo)
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 25 International Animation Schools - 2024 (#23)
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CG Spectrum College of Digital Art & Animation
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling
  • Concept Art
  • Digital Illustration
  • Game Art & Animation
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming
  • VFX Compositing and FX
  • Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
  • Game Development - Programming, Design, Game Art & Animation, Real-time 3D & Virtual Production
Animation Career Review Rankings: 
  • Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#18) - 2024
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Arizona State University Online
Selected Campus Locations:
  • Online
Selected Programs: 
  • Online Bachelor of Science in User Experience
  • Online Master of Science in User Experience
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Design in Graphic Design
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology – Full-Stack Web Development
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Graphic Information Technology – User Experience

How Much Do Storyboard Artists Make?

The median annual wage for fine artists is $48,960. The lowest 10% earn less than $22,020, and the highest 10% earn more than $101,400. For storyboard artists working in the animation industry, note that multimedia artists and animators average $72,520. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,870, and the highest 10% earned more than $124,310. Storyboard artists in the animation industry can expect their salaries to fall somewhere in between fine artists and animators.

In addition to industry, salaries vary based on geographic location, type and size of company, and many other factors. For example, the highest paying states for fine artists are:

  • Connecticut - $80,010
  • California - $76,230
  • Oklahoma - $65,140
  • New Jersey - $62,840
  • Arizona - $62,200

Some of the lowest paying states are Arkansas ($24,510), South Carolina ($28,070), Montana ($31,150), New Mexico ($35,110), and Missouri ($39,430).

The top paying industries for fine artists are:

  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services - $88,100
  • Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services - $86,700
  • Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing - $81,630
  • Motion Picture and Video Industries - $80,320
  • and Related Services - $72,250

Salaries for the top five industries with the highest levels of employment for fine artists are:

  1. Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers - $52,200
  2. Motion Picture and Video Industries – 80,320
  3. Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers  - $46,780
  4. Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools - $57,890
  5. Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers - Not Reported

How Do I Become a Storyboard Artist?

Many employers prefer to hire storyboard artists with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in art, fine art, illustration, digital art, drawing and painting, or other related area. Experience is preferred as well. Aspiring storyboard artists may obtain valuable experience through an internship or entry-level position. Some storyboard artists with exceptional talent, but little formal training, may qualify for some entry-level positions. 

Which Schools Offer Programs for Aspiring Storyboard Artists?

Just a few schools that offer programs for aspiring storyboard artists include:

  • Brigham Young University, BFA Illustration
  • California Baptist University, BA, Minor Illustration
  • California State University Fullerton, BFA Art, Drawing and Painting
  • Columbia College Chicago, BA, BFA Illustration (drawing, painting, cartooning, typography, digital illustration, figure drawing)
  • George Washington University, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, BA, BFA, Dual Degree, Minor Fine Art
  • Indiana University South Bend, BFA Drawing and Painting
  • Massachusetts College of Art and Design, BFA Industrial Design
  • Montclair State University, BFA Animation/Illustration
  • Pace University, BA Art with Digital Media, (Animation, Illustration, Graphic Design, Web Design, 3D Design)
  • Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), BFA, MFA Industrial Design
  • San Jose State University, BA Design Studies (Animation/Illustration Area)
  • Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), BA, BFA, MA, MFA Illustration with a Minor in Illustration for Entertainment or Animated Illustration and Publication Design; BA, BFA, MA, MFA Sequential Art; BFA, MFA Industrial Design
  • University of Southern California, BFA Studio (with 24 units of Fine Arts electives)
  • Washington University-St. Louis, Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, BFA, Emphasis in Illustration, Interaction Design
  • Westfield State University, BA Illustration

In addition to RIT and SCAD, schools such as DePaul University, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Memphis College of Art (MCA), New York Film Academy (NYFA), Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC), Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), Syracuse University, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at UMass Dartmouth offer graduate programs in fine art, illustration, drawing, industrial design, and/or animation. 

Awesome Animation Fact: When it comes to creating likable characters, sometimes it’s best to go back to the drawing board until you get it right. According to Yahoo!7, one of the world’s most loved animated characters, Woody from Toy Story, was originally written to be a type of ‘sarcastic jerk’ who frequently insulted other toys throughout the film. Fortunately, Disney deemed this character totally unwatchable and halted film production until a more appealing personality for Woody was developed.

 

 

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