Style frames & Storyboards

Style frames are a simple yet powerful visual representation of how the final animation will look, making them a critical step in the motion design process.

This phase is one of my personal favourites because it’s incredibly creative—starting with a blank page and just a few directions to spark ideas.

It’s often best to present clients with a few different style options, each backed up with descriptions of the rationale behind the design choices and how they tie into the production goals. Offering multiple styles not only gives clients more options but also opens doors for exploration and ensures they get a true sense of the look and feel of the final piece.

Storyboards are a sequence of drawings, often accompanied by directions and dialogue, that visually map out the shots planned for a film, animation, or television production. They are an essential step in any production, helping to save time and avoid potential problems later in the process.

Whether working on a high-budget client project or a personal passion piece, story boarding is all about planning in a way that suits your needs. I’ve seen storyboards take many forms—from quick sketches on a napkin at a café to highly detailed, professional illustrations.

For top-end clients, storyboards are typically polished, detailed, and well-presented, setting the standard for the production ahead. However, for personal projects, simple sketches on a piece of paper can be just as effective. Regardless of the style or format, the key takeaway is that good planning is crucial to avoiding issues down the line.