In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning animated ads using storyboard sketches. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or beginner content creator, this guide will help you understand the process in a simple and informative way.
A storyboard is a visual plan of your animation. It looks like a comic strip with drawings in boxes that show what happens in each scene. These boxes are called frames. Inside each frame, you draw what will appear on the screen — like a character walking, a product being shown, or text popping up.
Under each frame, there are short notes that explain what is happening. These notes can include:
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Dialogue or voiceover lines
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Sound effects
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Camera movements
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Animation directions
Creating animated ads without a storyboard is like building a house without a . You may have a great idea, but it’s easy to get lost or make expensive mistakes without a clear plan.
Here are a few reasons why storyboard sketches are so important:
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They save time and money. By planning the ad visually first, you avoid redoing animations later.
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They help teams work together. Everyone — designers, writers, animators, and clients — can see the plan and give feedback early.
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They make the message clearer. A storyboard helps you see if your ad’s story makes sense from start to finish.
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They improve creativity. Drawing out each scene gives you a chance to experiment with different ideas before production.
Let’s walk through the simple steps to plan your animated ad using storyboard sketches.
Before you start drawing, ask yourself:
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What is the purpose of this ad?
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Who is the target audience?
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What action do I want the viewer to take?
Your storyboard will follow the path of this goal, whether it’s to sell a product, promote a service, or raise brand .
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Your script is the base of your storyboard. Keep it short and focused—most animated ads are between 15 and 60 seconds.
Example:
Voiceover: “Meet Emma. She runs a small bakery.”
Scene direction: Show Emma baking in her kitchen.
Write down what will be said (voiceover or dialogue) and what needs to happen on screen.
Now divide the script into small sections. Each section will become a frame in your storyboard. A new frame is needed every time something important changes, like a new action, scene, or line of dialogue.
You don’t need to be an artist. Even stick figures work! The idea is to show what will happen visually in each scene.
Include:
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Characters
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Backgrounds
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Products or logos
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Text or message on screen
Keep it simple but clear. Label each frame with numbers (1, 2, 3...) and leave space below for notes.
Under each sketch, write what is happening in that frame.
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Who is speaking?
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What sounds are used?
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Are there transitions or animations?
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Is the camera zooming in or out?
These notes help animators and editors understand your vision better.
Look at your full storyboard. Does the ad flow well from one frame to the next? Is your message clear? Is the tone right for your audience?
Share it with your team and ask for feedback. Make small changes now to save bigger changes later in production.
Today, you don’t have to draw on paper. Many people use digital tools to create neat, organized storyboard sketches.
Some tools offer templates, drag-and-drop features, and export options. A few even use AI to help generate storyboard frames based on your script.
A great example is this . It helps users turn written scripts into visual storyboards automatically, saving time and effort. Tools like these are perfect for beginners or small marketing teams who want fast results with less manual work.
Here are some helpful tips to make your storyboard work better:
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Start with thumbnails. Make tiny, rough sketches first to test ideas.
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Think visually. Use symbols or arrows to show movement or transitions.
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Keep branding in mind. Include brand colors, fonts, and logos in your frames.
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Follow the platform format. Design for vertical videos if your ad is for Instagram or TikTok and landscape if for YouTube.
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Match timing. Make sure the total number of frames fits your ad’s length (e.g., 6-8 frames for a 15-second ad).
When planning your animated ad, try to avoid these common errors:
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Skipping the storyboard. Jumping straight into animation often leads to confusion and wasted time.
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Overloading each frame. Keep each scene simple and focused.
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No clear message. Your storyboard should show a clear beginning, middle, and end.
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Forgetting the call to action (CTA). Always end your ad with a clear action — like “” or “Visit our website.”
Planning an animated ad with storyboard sketches is a smart and simple way to turn your ideas into successful marketing videos. It helps you organize your thoughts, get feedback early, and save time during production.