Brand storyboarding is the process of visually mapping out your brand’s core values, message, and customer journey to create a cohesive narrative. In this blog, I’ll show you how it works and how it can help you better connect with your audience.
When the value is clear, the decision is easy!
This is one of my core beliefs and a guiding principle in my web design work. But here’s the thing: clearly communicating our values isn’t always easy. I learned this firsthand when I tackled the challenge of redesigning my own brand and website.
Your brand isn’t your logo, it’s how people feel about your business or nonprofit. Your website is the embodiment of your brand, and so designing a website isn’t just about aesthetics. It requires aligning every element with your voice and values, including:
- Development: Building a website that is fast, functional, and user-friendly.
- Content: Crafting clear, engaging messaging that reflects your brand’s story and connects with your audience.
- Branding: Ensuring consistent visuals, tone, and style that embody your brand’s values.
- SEO: Optimizing your website so it’s easily discoverable by search engines and reaches the right audience.
To effectively communicate all the pieces of your marketing puzzle, you need to get detailed and visual. Your brand story should always reflect your core values and your “why.”
Standing Out in a Sea of Competitors
In a crowded market, standing out means creating meaningful, authentic connections with your audience. This isn’t just about making your brand look good—it’s about making it relatable and memorable. Content and visuals are your most powerful tools for building those connections.
When I set out to clarify my own brand and build my website, my goal was to cut through the complexities of digital marketing and connect with my audience in a clear, approachable, and visually engaging way. By focusing on simplicity—in words, design, and imagery—I was able to create a brand that feels both accessible and relatable. Simplicity always wins!
Your brand messaging should be clear and easy to understand, enabling your audience to make a confident decision instead of moving on to your competition. And that’s where visual communication can become a game changer.
Still not sure where you stand with your visual story?
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
- Where does communication tend to get muddled in your process?
- What are the common questions your audience asks?
- Are there industry terms or jargon that might confuse them?
- How could you help your audience make an informed decision without overwhelming them with walls of text?
For me, illustration became a powerful tool to simplify the often complex world of web design and digital marketing. It’s a medium that conveys meaning quickly and effectively, without needing thousands of words. For your brand, it might be illustrations, photos, typography, or other design elements. What matters most is that these elements work together cohesively to tell your story and support your brand’s identity.
My Journey to a Visual Brand Story
On my journey to discovering my unique brand story, I was introduced to Ingrid Lill, an incredible illustrator and brand storyboarder. Ingrid helps entrepreneurs and leaders bring their brand stories to life through visual storytelling. She helped me craft a visual roadmap that clarified my brand’s message and purpose.
Working one-on-one with Ingrid was transformative. Her illustrative storyboarding process brought my brand to life by visually mapping my client’s journey—from their initial frustration to a place of clarity and confidence through my unique web design process. This visual clarity sparked countless ideas for how I could communicate my brand more effectively.
Here’s a look at the brand storyboard Ingrid helped me create—a visual guide that aligns my values, purpose, and client journey.
Ingrid not only brought my content strategy to life through visuals but also taught me how to create my own illustrations, which now feature in my blog posts.
A Conversation with Ingrid Lill
As I’ve focused more on building my agency network—connecting clients to the resources they need to thrive online—I wanted to share Ingrid’s expertise with you. In our 13-minute interview, we discuss:
- How to get started piecing together your brand story
- Why understanding your client’s pain points is crucial
- How to simplify complex business concepts through illustration
Watch the Interview:
Visit Ingrid’s website to explore her classes, gain clarity on your business, and see more of her inspiring work. Whether you’re just starting your brand story or looking to refine it, Ingrid’s insights are a fantastic resource.
Ready to bring your brand to life? Let’s start the conversation about how visual storytelling can make your values unmistakably clear.