Storyboards are the backbone of any animated cartoon, whether it’s a 30‑second commercial, a short for festivals, or a full‑length production. They act as the visual script, showing how each scene unfolds, what the characters are doing, and how the camera moves. A good storyboard doesn’t just capture drawings—it tells the story clearly enough that animators, sound designers, and editors all know what needs to be done.
Below are principles and practices for creating strong cartoon storyboards, with a look at how AI tools can make the process quicker and less expensive in non‑union productions.
1. Start with the Script and Break It Down
Even the funniest gag or slapstick routine needs structure. Before you start sketching, read your script (or outline) carefully and divide it into beats—moments of action, jokes, emotional turns, or transitions. Each beat usually translates into one or more storyboard panels.
If you don’t have a script, jot down a sequence of events in bullet form. A simple “setup → gag → payoff” outline works well for comedy‑driven cartoons.
2. Keep the Drawings Simple but Clear
Storyboards aren’t about polished art—they’re about communication. Stick figures, quick poses, and arrows can be enough as long as the action reads. What matters most:
- Character expression and pose (is the mood clear?)
- Action lines/arrows (show movement or camera pans)
- Framing (close‑up, wide shot, over‑the‑shoulder, etc.)
Think of the storyboard as a blueprint. Final art comes later.
3. Emphasize Timing and Comedy
For cartoons, timing is everything. Use storyboard panels to show rhythm:
- Big gaps between panels = slower pacing.
- Quick panel changes = snappy action or rapid‑fire comedy.
- Repeated frames with small differences = anticipation before a gag.
Sometimes adding captions like “pause,” “beat,” or “hold” under a panel can help clarify timing.
4. Think Like a Cameraman
Even in animation, the “camera” matters. Varying angles keeps a cartoon visually interesting:
- Wide shot to establish location
- Medium shot for dialogue or interaction
- Close‑up for reaction or punchline
- Extreme close‑up for exaggeration
Cartoon humor often benefits from surprise framing—for example, revealing something unexpected just outside the frame.
5. Include Notes and Directions
Don’t assume every idea will be obvious from the drawings. Add short notes for:
- Sound effects (SFX: CRASH!)
- Music cues (silly, suspenseful, heroic)
- Camera movements (zoom, pan, tilt)
- Special effects (smoke puff, sparkle, squash/stretch exaggeration)
6. Use AI Tools in Non-Union Productions
Traditionally, storyboard artists handle every frame by hand, which can be time‑consuming and expensive. In non‑union productions, some teams are starting to use AI as a time‑saving assistant:
- AI sketch generators can quickly block out poses and camera angles.
- AI image‑to‑panel tools can convert rough doodles into cleaner visuals.
- Automated storyboard apps can match script text with AI‑drawn panels.
This doesn’t eliminate the need for human creativity—AI can’t reliably capture comedic timing or subtle emotion—but it can speed up repetitive work, reduce costs, and let the creative team focus on the storytelling.
7. Review, Revise, and Test
Once the storyboard is complete, review it like an audience would:
- Does the story flow logically?
- Is every gag clear?
- Could someone who hasn’t read the script understand it?
Sometimes it helps to create a story reel (a slideshow of storyboard panels with timing, voices, and sound effects). This gives a near‑final sense of pacing before investing in full animation.
Conclusion
Good cartoon storyboards don’t need to be masterpieces—they need to be clear, funny, and communicative. They’re the skeleton of your cartoon, and when done well, they save time and money down the road.
AI tools aren’t a replacement for creative thinking, but in non‑union productions they can help artists produce faster and cheaper storyboards while still leaving room for humor and originality. For small studios or independent creators, this can be the difference between getting a project made—or never getting it off the ground.