Layout design for animation is the process of conceptualizing environments based on the story of the animated film, and adapting it to the stylistic choices of the film. The primary role of the layout artist is to design the stage on which the animation of the character or special effects takes place.

The layout design comes in as early as the storyboard drawings are done. Layout artists then develop them into detailed backdrops, which are further used by the animators and the background painters to work upon.
 

A finished layout with a character in place.

This short introductory module on the layout design for animation will introduce you to the concepts of:

1. Story
2. Research
3. Thumbnailing