Panel Borders

Term from Comic Book Creation industry explained for recruiters

Panel borders are the lines that separate individual scenes or moments in comic books and graphic novels. Think of them like picture frames that organize the story's flow on a page. Artists use these borders to guide readers through the story and control pacing. They can be traditional straight lines, decorative, or even broken/absent for dramatic effect. When someone mentions panel borders in their resume, they're talking about their ability to structure visual storytelling effectively.

Examples in Resumes

Created dynamic page layouts using varied Panel Borders styles to enhance storytelling impact

Designed over 200 pages implementing both traditional and experimental Panel Border techniques

Taught workshops on Panel Borders and Panel Layout fundamentals to junior artists

Typical job title: "Comic Artists"

Also try searching for:

Comic Book Artist Sequential Artist Graphic Novel Artist Comic Book Illustrator Manga Artist Story Board Artist Comic Layout Artist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach teaching panel border techniques to junior artists?

Expected Answer: A senior artist should discuss their mentoring experience, ability to explain complex concepts simply, and methods for helping others develop their own style while maintaining readability.

Q: Can you describe a time when you had to innovate with panel borders to solve a storytelling challenge?

Expected Answer: They should provide examples of creative problem-solving, like using broken borders for action scenes or specialized layouts for emotional moments, while explaining why these choices enhanced the story.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you decide when to use traditional versus experimental panel borders?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they balance artistic creativity with story clarity, discussing how different border styles affect pacing and reader experience.

Q: What tools and techniques do you use for creating consistent panel borders?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of both digital and traditional methods, explaining how they maintain quality and efficiency in their work.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the purpose of panel borders in comics?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic storytelling functions, like organizing scenes and guiding the reader's eye through the page.

Q: Can you describe different types of basic panel borders?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain standard border types (straight, rounded, absent) and their common uses in comic storytelling.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic panel layout creation
  • Understanding of standard border types
  • Simple page composition
  • Basic digital art tool usage

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced border techniques
  • Effective storytelling through layouts
  • Consistent style maintenance
  • Digital and traditional methods

Senior (5+ years)

  • Innovative layout solutions
  • Teaching and mentoring ability
  • Complex storytelling techniques
  • Industry standard leadership

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic page flow and reading direction
  • Inconsistent border styles within the same project
  • Unable to explain how panel borders affect story pacing
  • No knowledge of industry standard layout practices