Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Story Reel • Storyboard Pro • Timing Charts

Thumbnailing

Term from Animation Storyboarding industry explained for recruiters

Thumbnailing is a quick sketching technique used in animation and film production where artists create small, rough drawings to plan out scenes or sequences. Think of it like creating a series of mini-sketches that show the basic idea of how a story will flow, similar to a rough draft in writing. These small drawings help animation teams visualize the story quickly and make changes easily before investing time in detailed artwork. It's a fundamental skill in storyboarding, which is the process of planning out animated films or shows scene by scene.

Examples in Resumes

Created thumbnail sketches for key scenes in animated short film

Developed thumbnailing concepts for character poses and expressions

Led thumbnail sketch development for entire season of animated series

Refined story concepts through rapid thumbnailing techniques

Typical job title: "Storyboard Artists"

Also try searching for:

Story Artist Visual Development Artist Concept Artist Animation Artist Character Designer Layout Artist

Where to Find Storyboard Artists

Online Communities

Professional Networks

Industry Events

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach thumbnailing for a complex action sequence?

Expected Answer: A senior artist should explain their process of breaking down complex scenes into manageable sequences, considering camera angles, timing, and story flow, while mentioning how they guide junior artists through this process.

Q: How do you handle feedback and revisions in the thumbnailing stage?

Expected Answer: Should discuss their approach to incorporating director feedback, managing multiple revision rounds efficiently, and maintaining the story's vision while adapting to changes.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What tools and techniques do you use for quick thumbnailing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe their preferred methods for rapid sketching, whether digital or traditional, and explain how they maintain efficiency while clearly conveying ideas.

Q: How do you ensure continuity in your thumbnail sequences?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for maintaining consistent character poses, expressions, and scene flow across multiple thumbnails in a sequence.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the purpose of thumbnailing in animation production?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding that thumbnails are quick visual ideas used to plan scenes and get feedback before detailed work begins.

Q: How many thumbnail options do you typically create for a scene?

Expected Answer: Should show awareness that multiple options are usually needed (typically 3-5 variations) to give directors and team members different possibilities to choose from.