Sequential Art

Term from Illustration industry explained for recruiters

Sequential Art is a way of telling stories through a series of connected images, like you see in comic books, graphic novels, and storyboards. Think of it as visual storytelling where one picture leads to another to create a complete narrative. This skill is valuable in many creative fields, from publishing and advertising to animation and film production. When you see this term on a resume, it means the person knows how to plan and create artwork that flows in a sequence to tell a story or convey information effectively.

Examples in Resumes

Created Sequential Art for children's educational materials used in local schools

Developed Sequential Art and Storyboard concepts for advertising campaigns

Led team of artists in producing Sequential Art for digital comics platform

Typical job title: "Sequential Artists"

Also try searching for:

Comic Artist Storyboard Artist Visual Storyteller Narrative Illustrator Comic Book Artist Graphic Novel Artist Visual Development Artist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage a sequential art project with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership experience, ability to coordinate with writers, editors, and other artists, and knowledge of production pipelines and time management.

Q: Can you describe a challenging sequential art project and how you solved any problems that arose?

Expected Answer: Senior artists should share examples of complex projects, demonstrating problem-solving skills, adaptation to client feedback, and ability to maintain quality while meeting deadlines.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure consistency in character design and style across multiple pages or scenes?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for maintaining visual consistency, including use of character sheets, style guides, and reference materials.

Q: What is your process for planning page layouts and panel arrangements?

Expected Answer: Should describe their approach to visual storytelling, including consideration of pacing, flow, and reader engagement.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic principles of sequential art do you follow in your work?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic storytelling through images, panel transitions, and clear visual communication.

Q: How do you handle feedback and revisions to your sequential artwork?

Expected Answer: Should show openness to critique, basic understanding of revision processes, and ability to implement changes effectively.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic drawing and composition skills
  • Understanding of panel layout and flow
  • Simple character design and consistency
  • Basic digital art tools knowledge

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced storytelling techniques
  • Efficient workflow management
  • Strong character and environment design
  • Ability to adapt to different styles

Senior (5+ years)

  • Project leadership and team coordination
  • Complex narrative visualization
  • Advanced composition and pacing
  • Mentoring junior artists

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No portfolio or examples of sequential storytelling
  • Inability to maintain consistent style across multiple pieces
  • Poor understanding of visual narrative flow
  • Lack of experience with industry-standard art tools