UX Storyboard

UX Storyboarding Definition:

A storyboard is meant to show how a scene or event would unfold, showing one step at a time. Storyboards are made up of a number of squares with illustrations or pictures representing each shot. Notes can be included about what’s going on in the scene and what is being expressed by the individuals in the scene. The frame itself acts as a single moment in time whereas the space between the frames is the transition or action being alluded to in the first frame. Think of storyboards as a comic book format.

According to the Cademix Institute of Technology, storyboarding has four main strengths:

• Visualization
• Memorability
• Empathy
• Engagement

The use of images to convey your message can be extremely powerful. The saying “actions speak louder than words” isn’t too far off here. Using a universally understandable image of the human experience or something that only requires basic knowledge, creates a mode of communication that can be easily understood by a wide range of viewers.

Scenario: You are a college student feeling overworked and burnt out. You are having trouble wanting to start your day and need a way to make your morning routine more fun and efficient.

Challenge Outline:

Step 1: Brainstorm ways your shower experience could be improved or things you think should be included in your bathroom

Step 2: Make a multitool with 2 to 3 different features that might be useful to have in a bathroom/shower

Step 3: Using the Storyboarding techniques discussed above show a user encountering this tool for the first time:

• Show how the tool might be organized and designed
• Show the design of the tool in action
• Show how, where, and when someone might use this tool
• Show how this multitool would inhabit its space (i.e. show it in the bathroom)

Examples of Possible Features:

• A speaker
• A toothbrush holder
• A mini fridge
• A cup holder
• A color-changing light
• A waterproof tablet/phone mount

Different tools are available for storyboarding, including pen and paper, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and various desktop websites and mobile apps (Peng).

Learning Outcome: Convey a unique design by creating an easily understandable storyboard. Understand how universal the application of this medium can be.

Sources:

https://www.vyond.com/resources/what-is-a-storyboard-and-why-do-you-need-one/

https://www.cademix.org/storyboarding-in-ui-ux-roles-and-how-to-do-it/

https://boords.com/how-to-storyboard

Peer Reviewed Articles:

Peng, Q., & Martens, J.-B. (2018). Requirements Gathering for Tools in Support of Storyboarding in User Experience Design. Electronic Workshops in Computing. https://doi.org/10.14236/ewic/hci2018.2

Ayob, S., & Omidire, M. F. (2021). Storyboards as a Qualitative Method of Exploring Learners’ Experience with the Use of a Multilingual Support Strategy. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 160940692110343. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211034391

Image: https://bryantpauljohnson.com/2010/07/08/finding-the-balance-between-words-pictures-and-time-in-making-comics/

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