Storyboard That - Detailed Review
Design Tools
Storyboard That - Product Overview
Overview
Storyboard That is a versatile and user-friendly digital tool that enables users to create visually engaging storyboards with ease. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
Storyboard That is a storyboard creation platform that allows users to visually represent stories, ideas, or projects through a series of images and text. It is essentially a movie-making tool adapted for various uses, including education, marketing, and personal projects. This tool helps users plan and visualize their stories before actual production, making it an essential tool for communication and creativity.
Target Audience
The platform is designed for a broad audience, including teachers, students, administrators, marketers, and anyone interested in creating storyboards. It is particularly useful for educators looking to engage students in a more visual and interactive way, as well as for professionals needing to pitch ideas or develop marketing campaigns.
Key Features
- Ease of Use: Storyboard That is super simple to use, making it accessible even for young students. The web-based platform allows users to create storyboards from scratch or use pre-created templates.
- Customization: Users can customize their storyboards with a wide range of characters, props, and settings. Characters can be posed, and their expressions and actions can be changed easily. The platform also offers multiple color options, cropping, sizing, and layering features to add depth to the storyboards.
- Community Content: With over 20 million community-created storyboards, users have a vast library to draw from, reducing the need for original content if desired.
- Integration and Export: Storyboards can be saved, exported, and integrated with other tools like Microsoft PowerPoint. Users can also embed content such as YouTube videos, Google Maps, and presentations into their storyboards.
- Audio and Feedback: The platform allows users to record audio cell-by-cell and includes features for private comments and rubric integration, which is particularly useful for educational settings.
- Templates and Examples: Storyboard That offers various templates for different types of projects, including video storyboards, social media stories, and customer testimonials. These templates help users structure their stories effectively and ensure they are visually appealing.
Conclusion
Overall, Storyboard That is a flexible and powerful tool that simplifies the process of creating engaging storyboards, making it a valuable resource for both educational and professional contexts.
Storyboard That - User Interface and Experience
Storyboard That Overview
Storyboard That, a tool within the design tools and AI-driven product category, is known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including those who are less tech-savvy.
User Interface
The user interface of Storyboard That is characterized by its simplicity and intuitiveness. Here are some key features:
- Seamless Login and Use: Users can log in and start creating storyboards quickly, with no extensive setup required.
- Templates and Art Options: The platform offers a variety of story templates, including comic strips, character text bubbles, and other simple but powerful templates. This helps users get started immediately, regardless of their design experience.
- Customization: Users can customize their storyboards with a wide range of art, text options, and wireframes. This includes the ability to induce body language in characters, which adds a layer of expression to the storyboards.
- Wireframe Tools: Storyboard That also includes free wireframe tools that allow designers to create wireframes, map user flows, and design user interfaces across different platforms. These tools are integrated seamlessly into the storyboard creation process.
Ease of Use
The ease of use is a significant advantage of Storyboard That:
- Intuitive Navigation: The interface is easy to navigate, even for non-technical users. The platform is designed to be straightforward, allowing users to focus on creating their storyboards without getting bogged down in technical details.
- Comprehensive User Guides and Support: Storyboard That provides comprehensive user guides and support resources, which help users learn how to use the tool effectively. This includes good customer service, as noted by users who have found the support helpful.
- Learning Curve: The learning curve is relatively low, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. This is particularly beneficial for those who are new to design tools or storyboarding.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with Storyboard That is positive and engaging:
- Flexibility of Expression: Users appreciate the flexibility in expressing their ideas through various characters, facial expressions, and body language. This adds a personal touch to the storyboards and makes them more relatable.
- Efficient Communication: The tool facilitates efficient communication among team members and stakeholders by providing a clear and visual representation of the user flow or journey. This helps in identifying issues early and aligning with development goals.
- User Feedback: Users have reported being very impressed with the tool, highlighting its ease of use and the seamless experience it provides. It is also praised for its suitability for both children and adults, as well as for parent-child communications.
Conclusion
In summary, Storyboard That offers a user-friendly interface, ease of use, and a positive overall user experience, making it a valuable tool for creating storyboards and wireframes in a variety of contexts.
Storyboard That - Key Features and Functionality
Storyboard That Overview
Storyboard That is a versatile and user-friendly online tool for creating storyboards, which, while not primarily AI-driven, offers a range of features that make it highly effective for visual storytelling. Here are the main features and how they work:Drag-and-Drop Interface
Storyboard That features a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to easily add characters, props, and backgrounds to their storyboards. This intuitive system makes it accessible for users of all skill levels, including young students and teachers, to create visually engaging stories without needing to draw.Customizable Elements
The platform offers a wide range of customizable elements. Users can change the poses, actions, and emotions of characters, as well as adjust colors and add various details to scenes. This customization allows for a high degree of creativity and emotional expression in the storyboards.Pre-Created Content and Templates
Storyboard That provides access to a vast library of pre-created content, including millions of community-created storyboards. This allows users to either build from scratch or use existing templates and content to speed up the creation process.Multi-Device Compatibility
The tool is web-based, making it accessible on various devices, both in school and at home. This flexibility ensures that users can work on their storyboards from anywhere.Integration with Other Tools
Storyboard That integrates well with other platforms. Users can save projects for later, export them for use in tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, and even embed content such as YouTube videos, Google Maps, and presentations into their storyboards. This integration enhances the functionality and versatility of the tool.Audio Recording
Users can record audio cell-by-cell in the Storyboard Creator, allowing them to add dialogue or narration directly to their storyboards. This feature enhances the storytelling experience by adding an auditory dimension.Editing and Saving
The platform automatically saves storyboards, and users can edit them later. There are also options to crop, color-change, and layer images within the storyboards. Although users cannot split a storyboard into smaller pieces, they can make a copy and rearrange cells to achieve a similar effect.Educational Features
For educational use, Storyboard That offers teacher plans that include features like quick rubric integration, private comments on student storyboards, classes and assignments management, and compliance with educational data protection regulations (FERPA, CCPA, COPPA, GDPR).Lack of AI Integration
While Storyboard That is a powerful tool for creating storyboards, it does not integrate AI technology into its core features. The platform relies on user input and pre-created content rather than AI-generated elements or automated scene breakdowns.Conclusion
In summary, Storyboard That is an excellent tool for creating storyboards with a focus on ease of use, customization, and integration with other tools, but it does not leverage AI technology in its current form. Storyboard That - Performance and Accuracy
Performance
Storyboard That is known for its user-friendly interface and efficient tools, making it a viable option for creating storyboards quickly and effectively. Here are some strengths:Ease of Use
The platform is fairly intuitive, allowing users to create an account and start making storyboards immediately by choosing from a variety of background scenes, characters, and text options.Customization
Users can customize their storyboards with various layouts, characters, and props, which helps in creating visually appealing and effective storyboards.AI Integration
While Storyboard That itself is not primarily an AI-driven tool, the broader context of storyboarding can be enhanced with AI tools. However, if you are looking for AI-specific features, you might need to integrate it with other AI storyboarding tools like MidJourney or ChatGPT, as discussed in other resources.Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, Storyboard That helps users create detailed and organized storyboards:Layout Efficiency
The platform emphasizes the importance of a well-organized layout, ensuring that scenes, characters, text, and objects are arranged efficiently to create an aesthetically appealing final product.Consistency
Consistency in character and prop positioning, as well as in color and effects, is crucial, and Storyboard That provides tools to maintain this consistency throughout the storyboard.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Storyboard That is a powerful tool, there are some limitations and areas where it could improve:AI Capabilities
Unlike some newer AI-driven storyboarding tools, Storyboard That does not inherently include AI features for automatic storyboard generation or conversion from scripts to storyboards. Users might need to use external AI tools for these functionalities.Free Version Limitations
The free version of Storyboard That has limited features, such as the ability to create only 2 storyboards per week and limited printing and downloading capabilities. For full functionality, users need to upgrade to the paid version.Feedback and Revision Process
While the platform is good for creating storyboards, it does not have built-in features for managing feedback and revisions. Users might need to follow external guidelines for managing draft versions and final approvals.Engagement and Factual Accuracy
Storyboard That is effective in engaging users through its visual and interactive interface:Visual Communication
The platform encourages visual communication and storytelling, which helps in conveying messages effectively and engaging viewers.Educational Use
It is particularly well-suited for educational purposes, helping students develop critical thinking skills, improve motivation, and increase reading and writing proficiency. In summary, Storyboard That performs well in terms of ease of use, customization, and visual communication. However, it lacks inherent AI-driven features and has limitations in its free version. For users needing advanced AI capabilities, integrating with other AI tools might be necessary. Storyboard That - Pricing and Plans
Storyboard That Pricing Overview
Storyboard That offers a variety of plans and options to cater to different needs, whether you are an individual, a teacher, or a business user. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure and the features available in each plan:
Free Version
- Limitations: The free account is quite basic and intended for users to test the service before committing to a paid subscription.
- You can create two storyboards per week, starting from the day you create your first storyboard.
- Each storyboard is limited to a 3-cell traditional layout with no titles or descriptions. However, you can use up to six cells, but only in the traditional layout.
- Public Access: All storyboards created with a free account are public and can be found through search engines.
- Limited Art: Most of the art and illustrations are reserved for premium users.
- Basic Print Options: You can print your storyboard or the storyboard with text below, but with watermarked downloads.
- Single User Account: The free account is for a single user only.
- Restrictions: You cannot upload images, make storyboards private, use storyboards for profit, or customize print options.
Individual Edition
- Premium Features: This plan offers unlimited storyboard creations and access to all layouts, including titles and descriptions.
- Private Storyboards: You can make your storyboards private.
- Custom Uploads: You can upload your own images.
- Advanced Print Options: Customizable print options without watermarks.
- Payment Flexibility: You can choose monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans.
Education Edition
- Classroom Use: Designed for classroom teachers and their students.
- Compliance: This edition is FERPA, COPPA, and SOPPIPA compliant, which is essential for handling student data securely.
- Multi-User Support: Allows multiple users, including teachers and students.
- Custom Quotes: You can request custom quotes for specific periods, such as a few months, rather than the default annual subscription.
- Features: Includes all premium features, plus integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Schoology and Brightspace.
Business Edition
- Workplace Use: Intended for use in a business environment.
- Multi-User Support: Supports multiple users within an organization.
- Advanced Features: Includes all premium features, such as private storyboards, custom uploads, and advanced print options.
- Payment Options: Similar to the Individual Edition, you can choose monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans.
Payment Options
- Flexibility: You do not have to purchase a full year in advance. Options include monthly and quarterly payments, and you can cancel at any time.
- Forms of Payment: Storyboard That accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards and purchase orders.
Conclusion
In summary, Storyboard That provides a free version with limited features, an Individual Edition for personal use, an Education Edition for classroom settings, and a Business Edition for workplace use, each with varying levels of functionality and flexibility in payment options.
Storyboard That - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Storyboard That supports integration with several major LMS platforms, including:
- Schoology: Teachers can add Storyboard That as an app in Schoology, allowing easy access and management of assignments and student accounts.
- Canvas: Similar to Schoology, Storyboard That can be integrated into Canvas, facilitating the creation and management of assignments.
- ClassLink: ClassLink integration allows for automatic syncing of classes and students, enabling teachers to log in and manage their accounts directly from the ClassLink dashboard.
- Google Classroom: Storyboard That also integrates with Google Classroom, making it easy for teachers to assign and manage storyboarding tasks within the Google ecosystem.
- D2L – Brightspace: Teachers can set up Storyboard That assignments and integrate them into their D2L – Brightspace courses.
Clever Integration
Storyboard That offers two rostering options with Clever:
- Clever Library: This option is ideal for single teachers or schools not yet set up with Storyboard That. It allows teachers to add classes and students from Clever Library into their Storyboard That account.
- Clever Sync: For schools or districts already using Storyboard That, Clever Sync enables 24-hour data sharing, automatically importing classes and students into the account.
Compatibility Across Devices and Browsers
Storyboard That is compatible with a variety of devices and browsers:
- Browsers: It supports the current and previous two releases of Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. For iPad users, Safari is recommended for the best experience.
- Devices: The tool runs best on “computer-like” devices such as laptops, Microsoft Surfaces, Chromebooks, PC desktops, and Macs. While it can run on iPads, adding a keyboard enhances the experience. It is not recommended for use on phones or iPods for creating storyboards, though these devices are suitable for viewing created storyboards.
General Compatibility
Storyboard That is a browser-based tool, which makes it accessible across different operating systems as long as the supported browsers are used. This ensures that users can create and manage storyboards without worrying about specific operating system compatibility.
In summary, Storyboard That’s integration with various LMS platforms and its compatibility across different browsers and devices make it a versatile and user-friendly tool for educators and students alike.
Storyboard That - Customer Support and Resources
Contact and Support
For any queries or issues, users can reach out to Storyboard That through several channels. You can contact them via email at support@storyboardthat.com or call their US phone number at 1-617-607-4259. They also have a fax number at 1-857-345-8027 and operate from 9:00am to 5:00pm US Eastern time.
Help Center
Storyboard That has a detailed Help Center that addresses common questions and provides solutions to frequent issues. This resource is invaluable for troubleshooting and finding quick answers to many of the questions you might have.
Literature Library and Resources
For educators, the Literature Library is a treasure trove of resources. It includes hundreds of lesson plans and activities related to popular novels, short stories, and poems. These resources are fully customizable, allowing teachers to adapt them to their classroom needs. The library features novel study activities, literature guides, storyboard templates, reading comprehension quizzes, poetry analysis worksheets, and more. These tools help engage students in literature through interactive and visual learning methods.
Teacher Resources
Storyboard That provides extensive teacher resources, including lesson plans organized by grade level and subject. These plans come with Common Core standards, instructions, templates, and rubrics to guide both teachers and students. Additionally, there are worksheet and poster templates that can be customized for various classroom activities.
Graphic Organizers and Literary Devices
The platform offers graphic organizers to help students process reading material visually, and activities to identify and understand literary devices such as personification and alliteration. These resources are designed to engage visual learners and enhance their comprehension of literary texts.
Collaboration and Sharing
Storyboard That allows users to create, share, and collaborate on storyboards easily. You can share storyboards via email, embed them into websites, or print them out. This feature facilitates feedback and collaboration among students and teachers.
Account Settings and Technical Support
The Help Center also covers various account settings and technical support questions, such as logging in, changing user names or passwords, updating email addresses, and using Google Single Sign-On (SSO). It provides step-by-step guides for these processes to ensure a smooth user experience.
By offering these diverse support options and resources, Storyboard That ensures that users can effectively use their tools and maximize their learning and creative potential.
Storyboard That - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Ease of Use
Storyboard That is highly user-friendly, making it accessible even for those who are not artists. It allows users to create digital storyboards quickly using images, text, and pre-formatted templates.
Drag and Drop Functionality
The tool features a drag-and-drop interface for art, text, speech bubbles, titles, and descriptions, which simplifies the creation process.
Customization
Users can change colors, poses, weather, and more within the storyboard. The layout can also be altered to fit different needs, such as traditional, paper-sized, or spider map formats.
Educational Integration
Storyboard That is particularly useful in educational settings, allowing teachers to create assignments, import rosters from Google Classroom, and sync classes with Clever. It also supports differentiation and customization for various student populations.
Collaboration Tools
While not as advanced as some other digital storyboarding tools, Storyboard That does allow for the creation and sharing of assignments, which can facilitate collaboration between students and teachers.
Disadvantages
Limited AI Capabilities
Unlike some other tools in the AI-driven category, Storyboard That does not leverage advanced AI features such as automatic storyboard generation from prompts or text-to-image capabilities. It relies more on manual input and user creativity.
No Real-Time Collaboration
The tool does not offer real-time collaboration features, which can be a limitation for teams working remotely or needing immediate feedback and updates.
Dependence on Manual Input
While the drag-and-drop interface is helpful, the tool still requires significant manual input to create and customize storyboards, which can be time-consuming compared to AI-powered alternatives.
Conclusion
In summary, Storyboard That is an excellent tool for those who need a straightforward, user-friendly platform for creating digital storyboards, especially in educational contexts. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking advanced AI features or real-time collaboration capabilities.
Storyboard That - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Storyboard That with Other AI-Driven Design Tools
When comparing Storyboard That with other AI-driven design tools in the storyboard and design category, several unique features and potential alternatives come to light.
Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a user-friendly web-based tool that allows users to create storyboards for various purposes, including website and app design, as well as educational and creative projects. Here are some of its key features:
- Ease of Use: It is highly praised for its seamless user experience, making it accessible to users of all ages and tech proficiency levels.
- Character and Expression Customization: Users can create and customize characters with various facial and body expressions, which is particularly useful for maintaining consistency across scenes.
- Image Library: It offers a comprehensive library of free photos, icons, and visual elements that can be used to enhance storyboards.
Boords AI Storyboard Generator
Boords is another significant player in the AI storyboard generator market. Here’s how it compares:
- AI-Generated Images and Scripts: Boords can generate complete video scripts in multiple languages and create corresponding images, which can be a significant time-saver for creatives.
- Character Consistency: Like Storyboard That, Boords allows for the creation and reuse of custom AI characters across different scenes, ensuring consistency.
- Scene Variations: Boords’ AI can generate multiple variations of each storyboard scene, altering expressions, poses, and composition.
- Automatic Script Breakdown: Boords can automatically break down scripts into individual scenes, including details on cast, location, props, and camera angles, which is a feature not explicitly mentioned for Storyboard That.
Midjourney and Other Design Tools
While Midjourney is more focused on product design and graphics, it shares some similarities with storyboard tools in terms of AI-driven creativity:
- Advanced Design Tools: Midjourney offers intuitive design tools and seamless collaboration features, which can be beneficial for more complex design projects.
- AI-Driven Creativity: Midjourney accelerates the design process by suggesting creative ideas and refining designs efficiently, similar to how AI storyboard generators enhance storytelling.
Uizard
Uizard is another AI design tool that, although not specifically focused on storyboarding, offers features that could be useful for designers looking to create interactive prototypes:
- Sketch to Prototype: Uizard transforms sketches into digital prototypes quickly, which could be useful for designers who need to visualize their ideas in a more interactive format.
- Interactive Prototypes: Unlike Storyboard That, Uizard allows for the creation of interactive prototypes, which can be tested and refined in real-time.
Key Differences and Alternatives
- Automation and Script Breakdown: Boords stands out with its automatic script breakdown and detailed scene analysis, which is not a highlighted feature of Storyboard That.
- Customization and Expression: Both Storyboard That and Boords offer strong character customization options, but Boords extends this with AI-generated images and scripts.
- Interactive Prototypes: If you need to create interactive prototypes, Uizard or tools like UX Pilot might be more suitable alternatives.
Conclusion
In summary, while Storyboard That excels in ease of use and character customization, Boords offers more advanced AI-driven features such as automatic script breakdown and AI-generated images. For those needing interactive prototypes or more advanced design tools, Uizard or Midjourney could be better alternatives.
Storyboard That - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Storyboard That
What is Storyboard That and how does it work?
Storyboard That is a digital tool that allows users to create storyboards to communicate ideas visually. It is web-based and offers a drag-and-drop interface where users can select from pre-created storyboards or build one from scratch. The platform includes various characters, props, and customization options such as multiple color choices and character poses, making it easy for teachers, students, and others to create engaging stories.What are the different subscription options available for Storyboard That?
Storyboard That offers several subscription options. For individuals, there is a Personal plan starting at $7.99 per year, which includes unlimited storyboards, customizable images, and various export options. For teachers, there is a Teacher plan starting at $8.99 per month, which adds features like rubric integration, private comments, and compliance with educational data protection laws. You can also choose monthly or quarterly payment options instead of an annual subscription.Do I have to purchase a subscription for a full year?
No, you do not have to purchase a subscription for a full year. Storyboard That offers monthly and quarterly payment options. The minimum duration is one month, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. Quarterly subscriptions offer a slight discount compared to monthly payments.What features are included in the free version of Storyboard That?
The free version of Storyboard That allows users to create two storyboards per week in the classic storyboard layout with three cells. However, it has limited art and layouts, and downloads include watermarks. This version is suitable for casual use or to try out the platform before purchasing a premium subscription.Can I use Storyboard That in a school setting?
Yes, Storyboard That is an excellent tool for the classroom. It offers teacher and education administrator plans that are based on the number of students or teachers. For schools, the cost depends on the number of teachers or students, whichever is lower. There are also options for homeschool parents, which are often more affordable than individual subscriptions.How do I cancel my subscription to Storyboard That?
You can cancel your subscription to Storyboard That at any time. To do this, go to your account settings, select “Manage Subscription,” and follow the instructions to cancel. If you forget to cancel and are charged, you can contact support for assistance.Is Storyboard That compatible with other platforms?
Yes, Storyboard That is compatible with other platforms. You can save projects and export them for use in tools like Microsoft PowerPoint. Additionally, it integrates well with Google Workspace and other services, allowing you to embed content such as YouTube videos and Google Maps.What kind of support and security does Storyboard That offer?
Storyboard That provides various security measures, including compliance with FERPA, CCPA, COPPA, and GDPR for educational accounts. It also offers support for managing student data and deleting it when necessary. For any questions or issues, you can contact their support team.Can I request a custom quote for my school or business?
Yes, you can request a custom quote for your school or business. For education accounts, you can email orders@storyboardthat.com with the number of students and teachers to get a quote. This allows you to tailor the subscription to your specific needs.Are there any discounts or special offers available for Storyboard That?
Storyboard That occasionally offers special deals, such as a “3 for 2” deal for multi-teacher options. You can check their website or contact their support for any current promotions or discounts. Storyboard That - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a versatile and user-friendly online platform that excels in the design tools and AI-driven product category, particularly for visual storytelling and presentation creation.
Key Features and Benefits
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform boasts an intuitive interface, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. This ease of use is a significant advantage, allowing anyone to create visual stories and presentations without extensive technical knowledge.
- Extensive Templates and Assets: Storyboard That offers a wide range of templates, characters, backgrounds, and props that can be easily customized to fit various needs. This variety is particularly beneficial for creating diverse and engaging stories.
- Collaboration Tools: The platform includes features that enable team collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same storyboard simultaneously. This is especially useful for educational and professional projects.
- Advanced Customization: Users can customize their stories with advanced options, ensuring that the final product is unique and aligned with their vision. Additionally, the ability to save and edit storyboards in a library is a handy feature.
- Educational and Professional Applications: Storyboard That is highly versatile, suitable for students, teachers, filmmakers, writers, and business professionals. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills in educational settings and helps businesses visualize customer experiences and plan strategies effectively.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Students and Educators: The platform is an excellent tool for educational purposes, encouraging creativity, personal expression, and interactive learning. Students can create engaging presentations, comics, and stories, while teachers can use it to develop graphic organizers, story maps, and other educational materials.
- Business Professionals: Storyboard That can be invaluable for businesses looking to visualize customer experiences, plan marketing campaigns, and strategize business activities. It helps teams communicate and collaborate more effectively and presents ideas to stakeholders in a visually appealing way.
- Creative Professionals: Filmmakers, writers, and other creative professionals can use the platform to plot key scenes, develop storylines, and visualize their projects before production begins.
Overall Recommendation
Storyboard That is an excellent choice for anyone looking to create visually engaging stories, presentations, or projects. Its user-friendly interface, extensive library of templates and assets, and collaboration features make it a standout tool. Whether you are a student, educator, business professional, or creative artist, Storyboard That provides the necessary tools to bring your ideas to life effectively.
Given its broad applicability, ease of use, and the range of features it offers, Storyboard That is highly recommended for anyone seeking to enhance their visual storytelling and presentation skills.