Frequently Asked Questions

What is Event StoryBoard ?
The Event StoryBoard (ESB) canvas is the first design tool that brings storyboarding to event planning. Using simple techniques it enables events to flow like a story in just 5 steps. The process starts with mapping the clients’ and audiences’ needs. After that it’s time to unleash the power of collaborative visual design without limitations! The integrated ROI ensures all components are tailor-made to serve both the clients’ and audiences’ needs. It’s the ultimate event idea generator!
Why should I use Event StoryBoard?
Whether you want to create a story for your event, want to involve the whole team into the design process or just need inspiration, the ESB canvas is for you! With the ESB you can:
  1. Design your event from ideas – not limitations
  2. Make sure your event will flow like a story
  3. Effortlessly take the goals & needs of your audience into account when designing
  4. Pitch the look & feel of the event at a glance
  5. Give your whole event team an overview of the event in one look
  6. Let the production team improvise on the design ideas using their own expertise
  7. Summarize most information visually instead of lengthy text
It’s a perfect idea generator that is created specifically for the event and marketing industry.
Can you explain how the Event StoryBoard works?
The ESB canvas is designed with ease of use in mind, however we understand that it might be helpful to give a bit of explanation. That’s why we created an e-book that will guide you through all 5 steps. You can download the e-book here. Looking for the canvas? You can download it by clicking this link!
What kind of events can I use the Event StoryBoard for?
From Nanotech conferences to weddings to music festivals to trade shows. The Event StoryBoard canvas is designed in such a way you can use it for any event!
Is Event StoryBoard free?
Yes! FOR EVERYONE! As we believe that this tool can truly change the industry for the better, we’ve decided to make it free to use for everyone! For more information check out our creative commons license!
Where can I download the canvas?
You can find a download link here
Can I book the Event StoryBoard team to facilitate a design session?
Of course! We have a team of experienced designers that can support you and your team in an ESB design session. You can find a variety of workshops/facilitation sessions here
Is the Event StoryBoard canvas available in other languages than English?
For now the ESB canvas is available in three languages: English, Spanish and Dutch versions. You can choose and download the version you want here
Why do you use Empathy maps?
The Empathy Map is a tool developed by Scott Matthews of XPLANE, A visual thinking company. This tool allows you to create a profile of the customer in a very simple and easy way. Empathy mapping focuses on uncovering the sensory information and experience of your audience. Personas focus on personality, interests, skills, personality, dreams and environment. Empathy maps uncover what your persona think/feels, hears, sees, gains, and is challenged by.
When should I use Event StoryBoard?
We highly recommend that you use the Event StoryBoard at the start of your design process. It excels in designing an idea/story for your event on which you can then build upon in the rest of the design process. That said, you can also use a finalized ESB as a very effective communication and pitching tool!
What makes EventStoryBoard different from other canvasses?
Its simplicity, creative freedom and the ability to make events flow like a story make the ESB canvas stand out from other design tools. The canvas itself is designed with focus on ease of use and creativity. Making it very easy to quickly design events that are always unique and take the goals & needs of the audience into account effortlessly. The visual overview gives the designed event a ‘flow’ between all components, creating the events’ very own story!
What do I learn at a workshop?
We offer different kinds of workshops that teach you different skills. For a full overview of the possibilities have a look at our workshop comparison sheet here.
Will you be hosting general/open Event StoryBoard sessions?
This is definitely something we’re planning on doing in the future. We believe it would be a very fun ‘network meeting’ that can generate great ideas at the same time. How, where and when in still being discussed internally. If you are interested in joining future sessions, you can sign up for our mailing list here.
What is storyboarding?
“Storyboarding is a classic animation technique that was developed at the Walt Disney Studios in the 1930s. Instead of describing the plot with words, animators would draw sequential scenes for a new cartoon and pin them to the walls of their office. The technique soon became the standard for mapping out new cartoons, and quickly translated into other areas of Walt Disney’s business.” Disney Institute
Why is storyboarding so effective?
“Storyboarding is particularly effective because the mind naturally tries to encapsulate a fact, an experience or a new idea in story form. Therefore, the key to effective communication is to embrace our innate desire for storytelling, not to resist it.” Disney Institute
What other industries is storyboarding used in?

The godfather of storyboard, Disney, uses storyboarding for every design they make. From their films to the rides in their parcs and from their customer experience at the hotels and resorts to their employee engagement.

Besides Disney, storyboarding is used in a versatility of industries. The theatre industries uses it to design and communicate plays with their teams. Start-ups use it to pitch their brand to both potential partners and customers. Large companies like Google Ventures uses it to get team ideas quickly on paper, AirBnB finds it the best way it to get employees inside their customer heads. Anyone who works with either concept designing or concept communication can benefit from the power of storyboards!

Why Storyboarding for events?
Storyboarding creates a new and logical first step in meeting design that is already used in film, theatre and the startup industry. This first step is where the idea of the event is born. ESB helps to both create the idea in a team and communicate it clearly with stakeholders. Its focus on creative freedom will make meetings more meaningful, more unique and best of all: more personalised to the audience!
Can I use the Event StoryBoard as a pitching tool?
You bet! A finalized ESB canvas offers a clear visual way of communication. The look & feel can be spotted at a glance, making it very effective at quickly transmit a lot of information. It also has a build in ROI making it possible to show your client exactly what he and the audience are gaining from the event!
How do I use the Event StoryBoard if I can not draw?
Drawing is communication! Your drawing might not look like a Da Vinci, but a stick figure with a comment can also get the job done! The most important thing is that others understand your part of the idea/story. That said, we understand if you want to end up with a professional looking drawing (for e.g. a pitch). That’s why you can hire one of our professional drawers who’ll upgrade your storyboard to it’s full visual potential!
How do I use the Empathy map?
You will find all information you need in our free E-Book! “Step 3. Empathy mapping for Event StoryBoard” offers all the information you need to start this exercise. You can download the full e-book here. If you rather have us teach you and/or your team in person, you can book one of our workshops here.
What is empathy?
Empathy is the ability to imagine yourself in someone else’s position and to intuit what that person is feeling. It is the ability to stand in others’ shoes, to see with their eyes, and to feel with their hearts. Empathy isn’t sympathy – that is, feeling bad for someone else. It is feeling with someone else -- sensing what it would be like to be that person.