Thumbnail
Thumbnails are quick, small sketches that animators and storyboard artists create to plan out scenes or sequences in animation projects. Think of them like a rough draft or visual outline that shows the main action and composition of each scene. They're called thumbnails because they're traditionally drawn very small, about the size of a thumb. These sketches help artists and directors quickly visualize how a story will flow, and make changes early in the process before investing time in detailed artwork. It's similar to how an architect might draw a rough sketch of a building before creating detailed blueprints.
Examples in Resumes
Created over 200 Thumbnail sketches for a feature-length animated film
Developed Thumbnail sequences to visualize complex action scenes
Led team reviews of Thumbnails and Thumbnail Sketches for animated TV series
Typical job title: "Storyboard Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Storyboard Artists
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach managing a team's thumbnail workflow for a large animation project?
Expected Answer: A senior artist should discuss organizing review sessions, maintaining consistent quality, meeting deadlines, and balancing creative freedom with production requirements. They should mention experience in giving constructive feedback and managing revisions efficiently.
Q: How do you handle major story changes that affect an existing thumbnail sequence?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for quickly adapting thumbnails to new story requirements, maintaining visual continuity, and efficiently communicating changes to team members while keeping the project on schedule.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for creating thumbnails that effectively convey action and emotion?
Expected Answer: Should describe their approach to capturing key poses, expressions, and camera angles that tell the story clearly, while also explaining how they incorporate feedback and maintain production pace.
Q: How do you ensure your thumbnails translate well to final animation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss understanding of animation principles, consideration of practical animation limitations, and ability to create thumbnails that provide clear direction for downstream artists.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you include in your thumbnails?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic elements like character poses, staging, camera angles, and simple backgrounds that help tell the story clearly in a small sketch.
Q: How many thumbnail variations do you typically create for a scene?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of the iterative process, explaining how they explore different options while staying efficient with time management.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic drawing and sketching abilities
- Understanding of story flow and continuity
- Knowledge of basic camera angles
- Ability to take direction and implement feedback
Mid (2-5 years)
- Strong visual storytelling abilities
- Efficient thumbnail creation process
- Understanding of animation principles
- Ability to work independently on sequences
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced story and character development
- Team leadership and review management
- Complex scene visualization
- Mentoring junior artists
Red Flags to Watch For
- Poor understanding of basic storytelling principles
- Inability to draw quickly and clearly
- Lack of knowledge about animation production pipeline
- Poor time management in thumbnail creation
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Beyond Spreadsheets: Why Executive Dashboards in ATS Systems Are Your Secret Hiring Weapon
Automated Scorecards in ATS Systems: Your Secret Weapon for Smarter Hiring Decisions
Resume Optimizations that Candidates Do to Get Past AI Hiring Filters
