Vocabulary Words Every Storyboard Artist Should Know

Story

Definition: A description of events, real or imaginary.

• She told me a funny story.
• I read a story before bed.
• The teacher shared a story with the class.

Story in a sentence

Art

Definition: Creative work like painting, drawing, and music.

• She loves to do art in her free time.
• The museum has beautiful art.
• He is good at drawing and other arts.

Art in a sentence

Draw

Definition: To make a picture or image with a pen, pencil, or other tool.

• I like to draw animals in my notebook.
• She will draw a picture of her family.
• He can draw very well and loves to show his art.

Draw in a sentence

Scene

Definition: A place where an event occurs or a part of a play or movie.

• The scene in the movie was very emotional.
• They filmed the final scene in the park.
• Her favorite scene from the book was exciting.

Scene in a sentence

Color

Definition: A property of objects that results from the way they reflect light; a visual perception.

• Her favorite color is blue.
• The drawing has many bright colors.
• He likes to color pictures in his art book.

Color in a sentence

Line

Definition: A long, narrow mark or a series of people or things arranged in a row.

• Please stand in a line to enter the classroom.
• The line on the paper helps me write straight.
• Draw a line under the correct answer.

Line in a sentence

Frame

Definition: A structure that supports or encloses something; to put in a frame for display.

• He built a frame for the picture.
• She wants to frame her artwork.
• The frame of the house was made of wood.

Frame in a sentence

Character

Definition: The qualities or traits of a person or thing.

• The main character in the story is very brave.
• She has a kind character and helps others.
• His character was tested during the difficult times.

Character in a sentence

Move

Definition: To change position or place.

• Please move your chair closer.
• The train will move soon.
• She moved to a new city.

Move in a sentence

Look

Definition: To direct one's gaze toward something.

• Please look at the board.
• He likes to look at the stars at night.
• She will look for her lost toy.

Look in a sentence

Background

Definition: the information or setting behind something

• The background of the story explains the characters' actions.
• She has a background in art and design.
• Understanding background enriches understanding.

Background in a sentence

Idea

Definition: A thought or suggestion about a possible course of action.

• She had a great idea for the project.
• Can you share your idea with the class?
• His idea was very creative and unique.

Idea in a sentence

Picture

Definition: an image or representation of something

• He drew a picture of his family.
• She took a picture of the sunset.
• Understanding pictures enhances communication.

Picture in a sentence

Film

Definition: A movie; a story told through moving images.

• We watched a film about animals.
• She wants to make her own film one day.
• The film was exciting and kept us interested.

Film in a sentence

View

Definition: To look at something; a sight or opinion about something.

• I like to view the sunset from my balcony.
• She had a great view of the mountains.
• He shared his view on the topic during class.

View in a sentence

Action

Definition: The process of doing something to achieve a goal; a deed.

• The action movie was exciting and thrilling.
• She took action to help the environment.
• He prefers action-packed stories.

Action in a sentence

Play

Definition: to engage in activities for enjoyment; also refers to a dramatic performance

• The children love to play outside after school.
• She will play the lead role in the school play.
• He likes to play video games with his friends.

Play in a sentence

Name

Definition: A word by which a person or thing is known.

• What is your name?
• Her name is Sarah.
• He wrote his name on the paper.

Name in a sentence

Place

Definition: A specific location or area.

• This is a great place to have a picnic.
• Can you tell me the place where we will meet?
• I want to visit a new place this summer.

Place in a sentence

Time

Definition: A measured period during which events occur; a point in the day.

• What time is it now?
• We need to manage our time wisely.
• Time flies when you're having fun.

Time in a sentence

Sound

Definition: Vibrations that can be heard.

• The sound of music filled the room.
• I heard a strange sound outside.
• She loves the sound of rain.

Sound in a sentence

Sketch

Definition: A simple drawing or outline of something; to draw quickly.

• He made a quick sketch of the landscape.
• She loves to sketch in her notebook.
• The artist created a sketch before painting.

Sketch in a sentence

Design

Definition: A plan or drawing for something.

• He made a beautiful design for the dress.
• The building has a modern design.
• She loves to design clothes.

Design in a sentence

Movement

Definition: A change in position or a group working towards a common goal.

• The movement for climate change is growing.
• He felt a sudden movement in the water.
• They joined the movement to support equality.

Movement in a sentence

Panel

Definition: a group of people gathered to discuss or decide on something

• The panel discussed various solutions to the problem.
• She was part of the panel for the debate.
• Understanding how a panel works is important in discussions.

Panel in a sentence

Visual

Definition: Something related to seeing or sight.

• The book has great visual images.
• She prefers visual learning with pictures.
• The movie had amazing visual effects.

Visual in a sentence

Detail

Definition: An individual feature, fact, or item; the small parts that make up a whole.

• She focused on every detail of her painting.
• He provided detail about the project in his report.
• Understanding detail is important for thoroughness.

Detail in a sentence

Emotion

Definition: A strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, or anger.

• She expressed her emotion through art.
• Understanding your emotion is important.
• He felt a wave of emotion during the movie.

Emotion in a sentence

Setting

Definition: The time and place in which a story takes place; the environment.

• The setting of the novel is in a small town.
• They discussed the setting of the play in class.
• The beach was the perfect setting for their vacation.

Setting in a sentence

Script

Definition: The written text of a play, movie, or broadcast; also refers to handwriting.

• The actor memorized the script for the play.
• She wrote a script for her presentation.
• The script was filled with interesting dialogues.

Script in a sentence

Layout

Definition: The way in which something is arranged or organized.

• The layout of the classroom makes it easy to see the board.
• He designed the layout for the new park.
• The website has a clean layout that is easy to navigate.

Layout in a sentence

Model

Definition: a representation of something, often used for study

• He built a model of the solar system.
• The model was used to show how the building would look.
• She is a model for a clothing brand.

Model in a sentence

Storyboard

Definition: a visual plan for a film or animation that outlines scenes

• The director created a storyboard to plan the movie.
• She drew a storyboard to illustrate her ideas.
• The storyboard helped everyone understand the sequence of events.

Concept

Definition: An idea or general notion.

• The concept of teamwork is important in sports.
• She explained the concept of gravity.
• Understanding this concept will help you in science.

Concept in a sentence

Dialogue

Definition: A conversation between two or more people, often used to explore ideas.

• The dialogue in the play was engaging and realistic.
• They practiced dialogue in their language class.
• Effective dialogue can lead to better understanding.

Dialogue in a sentence

Composition

Definition: The act of creating or arranging something, especially music or writing.

• Her composition for piano was beautiful.
• He received praise for his writing composition.
• The class focuses on composition techniques for essays.

Composition in a sentence

Narrative

Definition: a story or account of events

• The narrative of the book was captivating.
• She wrote a narrative about her summer vacation.
• The narrative included many interesting characters.

Narrative in a sentence

Perspective

Definition: A particular way of considering something; a viewpoint.

• She has a unique perspective on the issue.
• His perspective changed after traveling.
• They learned to appreciate different perspectives in art.

Perspective in a sentence

Sequence

Definition: A specific order in which events or actions happen.

• The sequence of events in the story was easy to follow.
• The teacher asked us to write the sequence of our day.
• Understanding the sequence helps in organizing tasks.

Sequence in a sentence

Reference

Definition: A mention of something; a source of information.

• He included a reference to the book in his essay.
• Please provide a reference for your claims.
• She used a reference guide for her project.

Reference in a sentence

Transition

Definition: The process of changing from one state to another.

• The transition from school to work can be challenging.
• They are going through a transition period.
• She helped him with the transition to high school.

Transition in a sentence

Timing

Definition: The choice or control of when something happens; the ability to do something at the right moment.

• His timing in the game was perfect for scoring.
• She practiced her timing for the dance performance.
• Good timing is crucial in sports.

Timing in a sentence

Shot

Definition: A sudden movement or action; also refers to a photograph or an injection.

• He took a shot at the basketball hoop.
• She captured a beautiful shot of the sunset.
• The doctor gave him a flu shot to prevent illness.

Shot in a sentence

Angle

Definition: the space between two intersecting lines

• The angle of the triangle was measured at 60 degrees.
• She learned how to calculate different angles in math class.
• The artist used various angles to create depth in the painting.

Angle in a sentence

Mood

Definition: a temporary state of mind or feeling

• Her mood improved after talking to a friend.
• The music changed the mood of the party.
• He was in a cheerful mood today.

Mood in a sentence

Theme

Definition: The central topic or idea in a piece of writing or art.

• The theme of the book is friendship.
• We discussed the theme of resilience in class.
• Her favorite theme for decorations is nature.

Theme in a sentence

Illustration

Definition: a picture or drawing that explains something

• The book contains beautiful illustrations.
• She created an illustration for her story.
• The illustration helped explain the concept clearly.

Illustration in a sentence

Expression

Definition: A way to convey thoughts or feelings; a look on one's face.

• Her expression showed she was happy.
• He used a facial expression to communicate.
• The artist captured emotion in her expression.

Expression in a sentence

Continuity

Definition: The state of being continuous or unbroken; consistency.

• The continuity of the story kept the audience engaged.
• She ensured the continuity of care for her patients.
• Understanding continuity is important in mathematics.

Continuity in a sentence

Focal

Definition: related to a focus

• The focal point of the painting is the sunset.
• She adjusted the camera to find the focal distance.
• In science, the focal length affects the image clarity.

Focal in a sentence

Emphasis

Definition: Special importance or stress on something.

• The teacher placed emphasis on studying.
• She spoke with emphasis to make her point.
• The emphasis on teamwork is essential in sports.

Emphasis in a sentence

Contrast

Definition: To compare in a way that highlights differences.

• They discussed the contrast between the two books.
• The contrast in colors made the painting vivid.
• He showed the contrast between summer and winter.

Contrast in a sentence

Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing two or more things side by side to highlight differences.

• The juxtaposition of light and dark in the painting creates tension.
• He used juxtaposition in his writing to compare ideas.
• Understanding juxtaposition enhances critical thinking.

Juxtaposition in a sentence

Aesthetic

Definition: Related to beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

• The painting has a unique aesthetic that captivates viewers.
• She studies aesthetic values in art and design.
• Understanding aesthetic principles enhances creativity.

Aesthetic in a sentence

Visual Hierarchy

Definition: The arrangement of elements to show importance.

• Visual hierarchy helps guide viewers' attention.
• She used visual hierarchy in her poster design.
• Good visual hierarchy makes information easier to understand.

Pacing

Definition: The act of walking back and forth, often when anxious or deep in thought.

• He was pacing the room while waiting for the news.
• Pacing can help some people think better.
• She noticed him pacing during the exam.

Pacing in a sentence

Motif

Definition: A recurring theme or idea in a work of art or literature.

• The motif of friendship appears throughout the novel.
• In music, a motif can create a memorable tune.
• The artist used a nature motif in her paintings.

Motif in a sentence

Symbolism

Definition: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

• Symbolism adds depth to literature and art.
• In the story, the dove is a symbolism of peace.
• Understanding symbolism can enhance comprehension of texts.

Symbolism in a sentence

Character Arc

Definition: The transformation or growth of a character throughout a story.

• A strong character arc can make a story more engaging.
• He analyzed the character arc in his favorite novel.
• Understanding character arcs enhances literary analysis.

Thumbnail

Definition: A small image or representation of a larger picture, often used online.

• She uploaded a thumbnail for her video.
• The thumbnail helped attract viewers to the content.
• He created a thumbnail that represented the main idea.

Thumbnail in a sentence

Blocking

Definition: Preventing access to something, often in communication.

• Blocking someone on social media can reduce negativity.
• He considered blocking certain websites to limit distractions.
• Blocking is a way to manage online interactions.

Blocking in a sentence

Palette

Definition: A range of colors used by an artist; also the board for mixing paints.

• The artist chose a bright palette for her painting.
• He has a limited palette of colors to work with.
• The palette of colors can influence the mood of the artwork.

Palette in a sentence

Texture

Definition: The feel or appearance of a surface; how something feels to the touch.

• The texture of the fabric was soft and smooth.
• She liked the rough texture of the stone.
• Understanding texture can enhance art appreciation.

Texture in a sentence

Focal Point

Definition: the center of interest

• The dancer was the focal point of the performance.
• In the meeting, her ideas became the focal point.
• The tree served as the focal point of the landscape.

Focal Point in a sentence

Visual Storytelling

Definition: The use of images, videos, and other visual elements to convey a narrative.

• Visual storytelling enhances the impact of presentations.
• He learned visual storytelling techniques for his project.
• Understanding visual storytelling can engage audiences effectively.

Iteration

Definition: A version or repetition of a process or product; a cycle of improvements.

• The first iteration of the app had many bugs.
• Each iteration brought new features and fixes.
• They completed several iterations before the final release.

Iteration in a sentence

Visualization

Definition: The act of creating images or diagrams in the mind or on paper to understand information better.

• Visualization helps in understanding complex concepts.
• She used visualization techniques to prepare for her presentation.
• The teacher encouraged students to use visualization for math problems.

Visualization in a sentence

Abstraction

Definition: The process of simplifying complex ideas or objects.

• Abstraction in art focuses on shapes and colors rather than realism.
• He used abstraction to create unique designs.
• Understanding abstraction is crucial in various fields, including art and philosophy.

Abstraction in a sentence

Framing

Definition: The act of creating a framework or structure.

• Framing a picture can enhance its look.
• He is skilled in framing houses.
• The artist discussed the best framing options.

Framing in a sentence

Coherence

Definition: The quality of being logical and consistent; clarity in writing.

• Her essay had great coherence and flow.
• Coherence is important for effective communication.
• Understanding coherence improves writing skills.

Coherence in a sentence

Juxtapose

Definition: To place two things side by side for comparison.

• The artist chose to juxtapose light and dark colors.
• In her essay, she juxtaposed two different viewpoints.
• Juxtaposing the images highlighted their differences.

Juxtapose in a sentence

Delineation

Definition: The action of describing or outlining something in detail.

• The delineation of the plan was thorough and detailed.
• They provided a clear delineation of responsibilities.
• Delineation helps avoid confusion in projects.

Delineation in a sentence

Articulation

Definition: The clear and precise pronunciation of words; also refers to the way ideas are expressed.

• Her articulation made her speech easy to understand.
• He practiced articulation to improve his public speaking.
• Understanding articulation enhances communication skills.

Articulation in a sentence

Alignment

Definition: The arrangement of something in a straight line; agreement.

• The alignment of the wheels was off, causing issues.
• They checked the alignment of the project goals.
• Proper alignment is crucial for the machine's operation.

Alignment in a sentence

Saturation

Definition: The state of being completely filled or soaked; in colors, it refers to vividness.

• The saturation of the paint made the colors pop.
• Heavy rain can lead to saturation in the soil.
• He adjusted the saturation in the photo for a brighter look.

Saturation in a sentence

Tonal

Definition: relating to the tone or sound quality

• The tonal quality of the music was beautiful.
• She studied tonal languages in her linguistics class.
• Understanding tonal differences is important in music.

Tonal in a sentence

Rendering

Definition: The process of creating an image or video from a model or data.

• The rendering of the 3D model took several hours.
• She watched the rendering of the animation.
• Understanding rendering is important in graphic design.

Rendering in a sentence

Characterization

Definition: the way characters are developed in a story

• Characterization reveals a lot about the characters' motives.
• She enjoyed the characterization in the novel.
• Good characterization makes stories more engaging.

Characterization in a sentence

Dynamics

Definition: The study of forces and motion in physical systems.

• Dynamics examines how objects move and interact.
• He learned about dynamics in his physics class.
• Understanding dynamics is important for engineering.

Dynamics in a sentence

Storyboarded

Definition: the past tense of storyboard; to have created a storyboard

• They storyboarded the entire project before filming.
• He storyboarded his short film for better organization.
• She storyboarded the scenes to visualize the story.

Cinematography

Definition: The art of capturing visual images for film or television.

• Cinematography plays a key role in storytelling.
• He admired the cinematography in the movie.
• Great cinematography enhances the viewing experience.

Cinematography in a sentence

Exposition

Definition: A detailed explanation or presentation of an idea.

• The exposition of the topic helped everyone understand better.
• During the exposition, he shared his research findings.
• The art exposition showcased many talented artists.

Exposition in a sentence

Resolution

Definition: A firm decision to do or not do something; also refers to solving a problem.

• She made a resolution to exercise more this year.
• The resolution of the conflict took time.
• He found a resolution to his problem after thinking.

Resolution in a sentence

Tableau

Definition: A striking or artistic arrangement of people or objects; a scene.

• The tableau depicted a famous historical event.
• They created a tableau for the school play.
• Understanding tableau can enhance storytelling.

Tableau in a sentence

Archetype

Definition: a typical example or model of something

• The hero is an archetype found in many stories.
• She discussed the archetype of the wise old man.
• Understanding archetypes can enhance storytelling.

Archetype in a sentence

Iconography

Definition: The visual images and symbols used in art and literature to convey particular meanings or messages.

• Iconography helps interpret the themes of a painting.
• She studied the iconography of religious art.
• Understanding iconography enhances appreciation for symbolism.

Iconography in a sentence

Ambiance

Definition: The mood or atmosphere of a place.

• The restaurant has a cozy ambiance.
• The ambiance was perfect for a romantic dinner.
• They enjoyed the lively ambiance at the festival.

Ambiance in a sentence

Thematic

Definition: Relating to a theme; having a central topic or idea.

• Thematic elements can enhance a story.
• The movie had strong thematic messages about friendship.
• He analyzed the thematic aspects of the novel.

Thematic in a sentence

Convergence

Definition: The process of coming together or merging.

• The convergence of technology and education is changing learning.
• They studied the convergence of different cultures.
• Understanding convergence helps in analyzing trends.

Convergence in a sentence

Divergence

Definition: The act of moving apart or differing from a common point.

• There was a divergence in their views on the topic.
• The divergence of the two rivers created a beautiful landscape.
• Understanding divergence helps in analyzing trends.

Divergence in a sentence

Synthesis

Definition: The combination of different ideas or elements to form a new whole.

• Synthesis of information is important in writing essays.
• The synthesis of various sources improved her research.
• He focused on the synthesis of art and science in his project.

Synthesis in a sentence

Transposition

Definition: the act of changing the position or order of something

• Transposition of the notes changed the song's key.
• He learned about transposition in music theory.
• Understanding transposition can enhance musical skills.

Transposition in a sentence

Interpretation

Definition: the act of explaining or understanding something

• His interpretation of the poem was interesting.
• She gave a clear interpretation of the rules.
• The interpretation of the data helped us understand better.

Interpretation in a sentence

Narrative Arc

Definition: The structured path that a story follows, including the beginning, middle, and end.

• The narrative arc of the book kept readers engaged.
• He analyzed the narrative arc in his favorite novel.
• A strong narrative arc is essential for effective storytelling.

Visual Literacy

Definition: The ability to interpret and understand visual information.

• Visual literacy is important in today's image-heavy world.
• She studied visual literacy to better analyze advertisements.
• Understanding visual literacy enhances communication skills.

Visual Literacy in a sentence

Conceptualization

Definition: The process of forming an idea or concept.

• The conceptualization of the project took months.
• They discussed the conceptualization of the new app.
• Effective conceptualization is key to successful planning.

Conceptualization in a sentence

Execution

Definition: The act of carrying out or putting into effect a plan or task.

• The execution of the project was successful.
• He was responsible for the execution of the event.
• Understanding execution is crucial for achieving goals.

Execution in a sentence

Refinement

Definition: the improvement of something by making small changes

• The refinement of the design made it more user-friendly.
• She appreciated the refinement of her presentation.
• The process involves constant refinement to achieve quality.

Refinement in a sentence

Modulation

Definition: The process of changing the strength, frequency, or tone of a signal.

• Modulation is important in music to create different effects.
• He learned about modulation in his sound engineering class.
• Understanding modulation enhances communication skills.

Modulation in a sentence

Chiaroscuro

Definition: A technique in art that uses strong contrasts between light and dark.

• Chiaroscuro adds depth and drama to paintings.
• The artist used chiaroscuro to highlight the subject's features.
• Understanding chiaroscuro can enhance artistic expression.

Chiaroscuro in a sentence

Dynamism

Definition: The quality of being full of energy and enthusiasm; active and changing.

• Her dynamism motivated everyone in the group.
• The dynamism of the city attracts many visitors.
• He admired the dynamism of the young entrepreneurs.

Dynamism in a sentence

Spatiality

Definition: The quality of having physical space; the nature of spaces.

• Spatiality influences how we interact with our environment.
• Understanding spatiality can enhance design concepts.
• The artist’s work reflects her interest in spatiality.

Spatiality in a sentence

Representation

Definition: The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone; a portrayal of something.

• The representation of diverse characters is important in media.
• He was chosen for representation at the conference.
• Her artwork is a representation of her culture.

Representation in a sentence

Phenomenology

Definition: the study of experiences and consciousness

• Phenomenology focuses on how we perceive the world.
• He studied phenomenology in his psychology class.
• Understanding phenomenology is important for grasping human experiences.

Phenomenology in a sentence

Semiotics

Definition: The study of signs and symbols and their meanings in communication.

• Semiotics explores how meaning is created and understood.
• She learned about semiotics in her communications course.
• Understanding semiotics helps analyze media and language.

Semiotics in a sentence

Visual Narrative

Definition: A story conveyed through images rather than words.

• The comic book used visual narrative to tell its story.
• She studied visual narrative techniques in her art class.
• Understanding visual narrative enhances storytelling skills.