23. Game Art and Design: Storyboarding with Ahona Banerjee

In this episode of Creative Career Lab, Ashwini interviews Ahona Banerjee about the significance of storyboarding in game development and how it plays a critical role in shaping a game's narrative and flow. Ahona begins by explaining that storyboarding serves as a visual blueprint for a game, helping to map out the storyline, gameplay mechanics, and character actions before moving into full production. It allows game developers to visualize the sequence of events and ensure consistency in storytelling.

Ahona discusses how game artists create effective storyboards, emphasizing the need to focus on key moments that drive the story forward. These moments include major plot points, character interactions, and key gameplay sequences. Clear, simple visuals that communicate action, pacing, and mood are essential for conveying the game’s narrative to the development team.

Regarding tools and techniques used in game storyboarding, Ahona mentions software like Photoshop, Toon Boom, and Storyboard Pro, which allow for detailed illustrations and easy adjustments. She also notes that traditional sketching techniques are still valuable for quick drafts and brainstorming. The process often includes creating a series of rough sketches, followed by more refined images to illustrate the game’s progression.

Ahona also highlights the importance of collaboration in the storyboarding process. Storyboards are shared with writers, game designers, animators, and other team members to ensure that the vision aligns with the overall game concept. Open communication and feedback loops are crucial to making sure everyone is on the same page and that the storyboard accurately reflects the game’s direction.

Lastly, Ahona provides tips for creating compelling storyboards in game design. She advises focusing on clarity, ensuring that each panel conveys the necessary action and emotion. Storyboard artists should also think about camera angles, character movement, and how the storyboard guides gameplay. Keeping the player’s experience in mind is essential to create a storyboard that translates well into an engaging game.

The episode concludes with Ahona encouraging aspiring game designers to practice their storyboarding skills and embrace collaboration to create immersive and well-structured games.