What is a Mood Board? (And Why it’s Important)
You may have heard the term before, but have never really quite understood what it is. A mood board is a tool designers use to curate inspiration and get a feel for the overall tone and aesthetic of a project. It's like a visual wishlist that helps us determine what style elements to use (or not use) in our designs. Creating a mood board can be an important part of the design process because it allows us to set the direction for a project from the very beginning, and with a visual representation others working on the project can see your vision too. By taking the time to put together a mood board, we can avoid costly changes later on down the road.
How to Create a Mood Board
There are many different ways to create a mood board. You can use online tools like Pinterest or Canva, or you can go old-school and physically cut out images from magazines. Whichever method you choose, the goal is to create a collection of images, colors, and textures that capture the overall feeling you want for your project. This can tie in well with an already determined color palette (need help with that? We’ve got you covered here).
Once you've gathered your inspiration, it's time to start putting everything together. The layout of your mood board is up to you, but most designers prefer to arrange things in a way that makes sense visually. For example, if you're working on a branding project, you might want to group all of the images together in one section and reserve another section for color swatches.
Some Things to Remember
You may want to consider different textures. While this may at first sound odd, think about our website. Sometimes having a unique background to your site can add an extra level of flair, or really give the feel of what you’re representing. For example, a carpentry company may benefit from a wood grain background on sections, and a slate or granite backdrop can add a touch of class and professionalism.
Another section to keep in mind on your mood board are potential fonts. Choosing the right one can really help set the tone for your website. With the selection we have at our fingertips today, there's guaranteed to be a font that fits your business just right! While there are many cool choices, it's also important to make sure it's easy to read. You don't want the font to distract from what your page says.
As you're putting your mood board together, make sure to not have things too based on current trends. While some things may be popular or going viral now, in a few years they will be old news. Keeping away from such things helps ensure your website will be timeless and won’t need an overhaul in the future to keep it relevant. Also, remember that less is more. Trying to cram too much information into one space will only make things more confusing. The whole point of creating a mood board is to simplify the design process, so don't overcomplicate things!
Conclusion:
If you're working on a design project—whether it's for yourself or for a client—a mood board can be an invaluable tool. By taking the time to put together a collection of inspirational images and themes, you can avoid costly changes later on and make sure everyone involved is on the same page from the very beginning. So go forth and start curating! Your next great design project awaits.