How to Create an Effective Storyboard Even If You’re Not an Artist

*Updated July 2026

Key Takeaways

Even if you’re not an artist, you can create an effective storyboard by focusing on basic narrative elements, written descriptions, visual references, and creative planning tools.

In this way, you don’t have to rely on drawing skills, and yet you’ll still end up with a detailed storyboard that will help you turn your film, documentary, ad, audiobook, or other project ideas into a compelling narrative.

Still skeptical?

Don’t be.

Just read on to explore in greater depth how you can create a strong storyboard without needing professional drawing skills.

What are story beats, and why should you start with them?

Story beats are the key moments in a script that move the story forward, and you should always start with them because they establish the core structure of your narrative before you focus on the details.

Focus on the main characters and their central conflicts, along with the critical events that move them through the story.

The initial storyboard should reflect a logical progression in which each beat flows naturally from the one before.

Don’t worry too much about the specifics — remember that you’ll have a chance to shore up the details later on.

Storyboarding is the time to think of the big picture and how your content fits together as an organic whole.

Is it a good idea to work with a professional storyboard artist?

Working with a professional storyboard artist can be a good idea, as it will help you create a visually clear storyboard.

This is particularly true if you’re new to the creative process, though even professional creatives often hire storyboard artists to help with this stage of the creative process.

Of course, the partner you work with will have a dramatic effect on your results.

Search carefully for someone who is invested in your project and seems like a good fit.

You should stay closely involved with your storyboard partner throughout the creative journey.

They can help you maintain a logical, coherent narrative even as specifics change during the writing process.

Two-way communication is key for developing a vision and getting the most out of your narrative ideas.

It might take some back and forth to come up with a storyboard that you feel confident in.

How possible is it to create a storyboard with only words?

It’s entirely possible to create an effective storyboard using only words by describing each scene and shot in sequence.

Too often, when we hear the word “storyboard,” we think of sketches or drawings that illustrate the narrative.

And while it’s true that storyboarding typically involves visuals, it’s not the only way.

If you aren’t confident in your drawing skills, start by writing down the instructions you would give to a storyboard artist.

This way, you can see how everything fits together without taking the time or money to produce a visual storyboard.

You can also use our free AI copywriter to ensure that your story details are properly developed, easy to understand, and written sequentially.

Creating a written storyboard will often make it easier to develop a conventional storyboard if you ever find yourself wanting visuals.

If you’re feeling unsure, start by creating a word-based storyboard.

It will be a great starting point and anchor as you move forward into development.

How can storyboarding apps help non-artists?

Storyboarding apps help non-artists by making it easy to create professional-looking storyboards without advanced drawing skills.

Regardless of your creative style or approach, in this day and age, it’s easy to find a great mobile or desktop app that offers everything you’re looking for.

In fact, you can access powerful storyboarding features without spending any money at all.

Canva, for example, offers a deep library of stock assets and templates plus helpful editing tools at no charge.

This list of the best storyboard tools in 2026 is a great way to start looking for digital storyboarding platforms.

Can photos be used as an alternative to drawings in a storyboard?

Photos can be an excellent alternative to drawings when creating a storyboard.

Even if you don’t have the resources to put together professional-quality shots, simple reference photos can help you develop a rough idea of how you want each scene to appear.

You can always make adjustments to that starting point later on as you come closer to creating a finished product.

Of course, you might be thinking of some details that aren’t easy to show in a basic photo.

Don’t be afraid to use Photoshop or another image editing tool to tweak your image and ensure that it comes as close as possible to what you have in mind.

You can also supplement with captions and descriptions that explain what will happen in the scene.

Why is audio important during storyboarding?

While storyboards are usually visual, describing the audio flow is equally important during storyboarding because it helps you plan how sound will support the visuals from the very beginning.

So, instead of adding audio at the very end of the process, consider the audio as you create and edit your storyboard.

If you have a clear image of how a scene should look, ask yourself how you want it to sound to create the right impression.

We can help you connect with narration voice actors if you need a narrator to set the scene and get viewers interested.

You should also think about the music you want to accompany each part of your storyboard.

You can always change things up later, but it will help to come up with at least a rough idea while putting the storyboard together.

In general, the more work you do at the storyboarding stage, the easier it will be to put everything together later on.

Try to fully develop your ideas about how each scene should go, rather than being content with a basic image or drawing.

Final thoughts

You might think that you’re ready to get to work even without a storyboard, but storyboarding is vital for anyone who wants to create an engaging narrative.

Giving form to your ideas will help you visualize the final product and work out the next steps.

These tips will help you get more out of the storyboarding stage and find ways to make your existing ideas even more compelling.

Did you like this article? Have any other storyboarding suggestions? Let us know in the comments. 

FAQs