What is a storyboard in web design, you ask?
Just like in movies, storyboarding is a crucial step in the web design process and it is an essential tool for creating effective websites. Making a quality storyboard visual representation of different pages and elements allows web designers to organize and plan the layout and design of a website. Its other goal is to communicate the designer’s ideas to clients or team members. Therefore, we will take a look at what a storyboard in web design is, its importance, how to create one, and how it can be used in the web design process.
Organization and functionality
A storyboard is a visual representation of a website’s layout and functionality, it is used to organize the design and layout of a website, and to communicate the design ideas to clients and stakeholders. It typically includes sketches or wireframes of the website’s pages and it shows the placement of different elements such as text, images, buttons, and links. It also shows the flow and navigation of the website to clearly represent how users will interact with different pages and elements. Storyboarding is a way to organize and plan the design. As such, its main purpose is to test different layouts, concepts, and ideas. Finally, evaluate them before starting to implement design ideas into the website.
Detecting issues early in the process
The importance of storyboarding in web design cannot be overstated as it is crucial for identifying usability issues early on in the process. A well-designed storyboard can help to ensure that the final website is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines. It also helps to ensure that the website meets the needs of the target audience and that it is easy to use. For example, just like the new piece of furniture needs a “pen and paper” design before production, your website needs the storyboard before laying out the elements online. Once the product is finished, it is much more time-consuming to change the UX/UI design and flow.
How to create a web design storyboard?
Creating a storyboard can be done in different ways depending on the designer’s preference. Some web designers prefer to create a storyboard using hand-drawn sketches, while others prefer to use wireframes. There are also web design software solutions that allow storyboard and wireframe creation in a digital environment. The key is to create a storyboard that is easy to understand with a huge emphasis on effectively communicating the designer’s ideas.
When creating a storyboard, it’s important to keep in mind the overall structure of the website, including the layout and navigation. It should show the placement of different elements such as text, images, and buttons, as well as how they will be used to guide the user through the website. It’s also important to consider the user experience when creating a storyboard and to think about how users will interact with different pages and elements.
The storyboard is here. What now?
What is a storyboard in web design without a professional to present it to a client?
Once the storyboard is complete, a designer should primarily use it to present his design ideas to clients or team members with a single major goal in mind – getting the feedback and making all the necessary changes BEFORE production. Alternatively, a great storyboard can be used as a pitch before even getting the job for a website design as it tells the story of how you, as a web designer, envisioned your potential client’s online presence.
When doing the storyboard for your future web designs, feel free to pay as much attention to detail as you like. A thorough approach can only impress your (potential) clients. Still, make sure that your storyboard retains a clear path you wish to take with your design. It needs to send a clear message to both clients and future users alike. Nevertheless, use your creativity and do not be afraid to present fresh and innovative solutions.
