Storyboard | Character Design | Visual Narrative
Project Overview
The Compulsive Shopaholic is a short-form storyboard that humorously captures the emotional highs and lows of impulsive spending. The story follows a character who makes reckless purchasing decisions and faces the consequences, offering a relatable take on consumer habits through expressive visual storytelling.
The Compulsive Shopaholic is a short-form storyboard that humorously captures the emotional highs and lows of impulsive spending. The story follows a character who makes reckless purchasing decisions and faces the consequences, offering a relatable take on consumer habits through expressive visual storytelling.
Design Objective
The goal of this project was to create a character-driven sequence that emphasizes emotional pacing and transformation. As a storyboard artist, I focused on using body language, composition, and facial expressions to guide the viewer through a full narrative arc — from excitement to regret and, finally, to resolution.
The goal of this project was to create a character-driven sequence that emphasizes emotional pacing and transformation. As a storyboard artist, I focused on using body language, composition, and facial expressions to guide the viewer through a full narrative arc — from excitement to regret and, finally, to resolution.
Key Features
Impulse-Driven Character Arc
The character shops enthusiastically, ignoring prices and selecting high-end items. His thrill quickly turns to shock when, at home, he checks his bank account and realizes he’s overdrawn by $200.
Impulse-Driven Character Arc
The character shops enthusiastically, ignoring prices and selecting high-end items. His thrill quickly turns to shock when, at home, he checks his bank account and realizes he’s overdrawn by $200.
Emotional Pacing & Visual Clarity
Through dynamic poses and exaggerated facial expressions, the character’s emotional journey is clearly communicated — from excitement and panic to relief.
Through dynamic poses and exaggerated facial expressions, the character’s emotional journey is clearly communicated — from excitement and panic to relief.
Return & Resolution Sequence
After returning the merchandise and receiving a full cash refund, the character walks home with renewed satisfaction — ending the story happier and more financially aware.
After returning the merchandise and receiving a full cash refund, the character walks home with renewed satisfaction — ending the story happier and more financially aware.
Minimalist Framing
The storyboard uses simplified backgrounds to keep the focus on the character’s internal decisions and expressions while enhancing the readability of each frame.
The storyboard uses simplified backgrounds to keep the focus on the character’s internal decisions and expressions while enhancing the readability of each frame.
Outcome
The Compulsive Shopaholic demonstrates my ability to create clear, expressive sequential storytelling that blends humor, character development, and visual rhythm. The project highlights key strengths in pacing, narrative design, and emotional clarity through illustration.
The Compulsive Shopaholic demonstrates my ability to create clear, expressive sequential storytelling that blends humor, character development, and visual rhythm. The project highlights key strengths in pacing, narrative design, and emotional clarity through illustration.
