Creating an Effective Mood Board for Creative Projects

You've got a new creative project, but you don't know how to begin. I got you! Mood boards are the solution!

A mood board is a brainstorming tool that lets you visually express your ideas and set the tone of your project. Perfect for preparing to work with a graphic designer or photographer, and even so you can get an idea of your vision as you develop your brand.

What guidelines should I follow, Val!?
Gather images. Colors. Textures. The goal is to make sure that what you add to your mood board reflects the vibe and experience you want to achieve. Digital mood boards reign supreme and you can easily create one using apps or websites that offer templates like Pinterest and Canva.

Here are the easy steps in creating a mood board:

STEP 1: COLLECT INSPIRATION

Before starting, identify your project's purpose, message, and target audience. Then, I like to make a list of keywords to guide me as I gather visual inspiration from various sources, apps, and websites. Don't limit yourself to images, you can also use textures, materials, and other objects as long as they align with your project's purpose and target audience. Remember, the more inspiration you have, the merrier!

STEP 2: CHOOSE A LAYOUT

Once you gather enough inspiration, organize them into a cohesive layout. Select from different mood board layouts: grid, linear, or free-form. Choose the one that best suits your project's purpose and target audience. The goal is to present a clear and consistent vision of your project.

STEP 3: ORGANIZE AND REFINE

Group your visual elements by theme and remove anything that doesn't fit with the overall vibe. Identify the dominant colors and themes, and identify what's seen as missing. Once done, give yourself a pat on the back for creating a visual masterpiece - congratulations!

Luxury. Quality. Fun. Feminine. Boss Babe Energy.
Boss Thingz Mood Board: I created this for Mena Darre’s Boss Thingz Branding Project in 2020. I added her dope images, products, textures that vibed with her style, and inspo that informed m direction. Mena loved the vibe captured.

STEP 4: PRESENT YOUR MOOD BOARD

Be mindful of the layout and quality of the images and be prepared to speak to your mood board and explain how it aligns with the project.

Remember, a mood board is beneficial in several ways for a creative project. It helps you visualize your ideas, experiment with themes and colors, and enhance your creativity. Mood boards are also a great way to express yourself creatively and get feedback from others.

So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your mood board now!