What role do color choices play in the visual storytelling of storyboards, and how do you decide which colors to use?

Color choices in storyboarding are like the emotional undercurrents of a visual story—they guide the viewer’s feelings before a single line of dialogue is spoken. When I create or review storyboards, I think of color not just as an aesthetic layer, but as a psychological and narrative tool that shapes tone, pacing, and perception.

At the early stages, I decide on color based on the emotional intent of each scene. For example, a warm, golden palette can evoke nostalgia or comfort, while cold, desaturated blues might signal loneliness or tension. Even just a hint of red can create urgency or danger. These aren’t just guesses—they’re deliberate decisions rooted in how we’ve been conditioned to read color emotionally, both culturally and biologically.

Sometimes, color choices are also strategic. If a brand is involved, I incorporate their palette to maintain visual consistency—but I also look for ways to weave those colors into the story in a meaningful way. For example, if a brand’s primary color is green and the story is about growth, that color can show up symbolically as nature, energy, or transformation across key frames.

In action-heavy or fast-paced sequences, I tend to keep the color scheme simple and high-contrast, so it’s easier for the eye to follow the movement. In slower, mood-driven scenes, I might use gradients or layered tones to create atmosphere and depth.

Ultimately, the colors I choose are always rooted in supporting the narrative arc. I’m constantly asking: What should the viewer feel at this moment? What visual temperature matches the emotional temperature of the story? The goal isn’t just to make a pretty storyboard—it’s to use color to feel the story before it even moves.