Preproduction Involves the planning stages of designing a sequence before actual animation.

This stage is essential due to the time intensive nature of animation. It is during the preproduction stage of the design process that potential conflicts can be resolved,

basic visual decisions made, and client approval on the concept at hand given.

Symbolic Scoring Systems that can be used for preproduction planning include notation symbols for sequence scoring, traditional image-based storyboards, and text-only storyboards.

When a sequence does not include images, or is mainly composed of type, a traditional image-based storyboard may not be appropriate.

Notation symbols can be used in conjunction with a scoring template to score the sequence. Time code indicates duration; the notation symbols indicate direction and transitions.

An alternative to showing only the time code as an indicator of duration would be to extend the width of the frame in relationship to the other frames, to illustrate duration in a more concrete visual manner.

A note section exists for such information as typeface, size, color, characteristics that are hard to sketch and audio information.

The width and height of the frame in the template should reflect the actual frame aspect ratio

Image-Based Storyboarding Presents the concept before it is actually produced. The storyboard is a valuable aid in

working out the sequence, from general concept to typographic detail.

Images consist of distinct stages leading up to implementation and animation.

Stage One is rough sketches of the initial idea working towards a final concept. These rough sketches are the designerʼs notes only. The width of the frames in this sketch vary to indicate a sense of structure and duration.

Stage Two presents look-and-feel storyboards: detailed hand sketches that give the client an idea of tone and style. They introduce images, typefaces, frame aspect ratio, and basic navigation devices.

Stage Three presents a storyboard with fairly detailed sketches in color. These give the client an idea of the concept of the animation as a whole. This storyboard uses computer- generated sketches. The eventual sequence does share elements with this storyboard, but more importantly a storyboard gives the designers a point of departure.

Final Sequence

Another example of image-based storyboard.

Text-Based Storyboarding A complicated, detailed sequence structure is sometimes most successfully planned out and demonstrated to the client using a text-based storyboard.

In addition to showing the structure of the animation to the client, this storyboard facilitates the important step of approval by the client, including the approval of imagery and text.

The storyboard also indicates the sound and rhythm of the animation.

Reverse Storyboard involves analyzing an already existing motion graphics piece through a verbal storyboard, mood board macro-view, and a diagrammatic micro-view.

Verbal Storyboard

Macro View

Micro View