Moodboard

What is a moodboard?

A moodboard is a collection of visual elements that help formulate the concept of future design. This term originated from the English "mood board" and serves as an important tool for designers and marketers. A moodboard includes photographs, illustrations, color palettes, and fonts that convey the overall impression of a brand. Moodboards are often used for various projects, from logo creation to interior design development.

Why is a moodboard needed?

A moodboard is not just a collection of beautiful images; it is a strategic tool that aids in the development of various design projects. It all starts with searching for ideas and images, and a moodboard allows for a visual determination of the direction in which the project will evolve. This is the initial stage of working on a design, whether it be creating a website, a mobile application, a brand book, or an advertising campaign. A moodboard helps teams form a common visual vector and find meaningful imagery, allowing for effective realization of the intended concept.

Here are a few key areas for which moodboards are created:

• Branding: Defining the visual concept of the logo and corporate identity.
• Design project development: Starting work on the interface of a website or application.
• Advertising shoots: Selecting images to determine the overall style of the shoot.
• Fashion design: Assisting in maintaining a cohesive style when developing new collections.
• Interior design: Visually demonstrating the style and concept of future spaces.

What tasks does a moodboard perform?

A moodboard significantly simplifies and speeds up the idea development process at the initial stage of a project. It helps designers and marketers clearly formulate the concept and synchronize the actions of the team. The main tasks that a moodboard addresses include:

• Finding the concept and idea: A moodboard helps gather and compare associations and stylistic techniques, serving as a foundation for further work.
• Conveying the idea to the client: Presenting the concept using a moodboard helps avoid misunderstandings and accurately convey the vision of the project.
• Coordinating team actions: A moodboard allows multiple project participants to discuss and choose a common visual style.
• Maintaining a unified style: A moodboard helps control the compliance of the new concept with the existing brand style.

How to create a moodboard?

Creating a moodboard starts with a clear understanding of the project's tasks and analyzing the target audience. Follow these steps for effective moodboard creation:

1. Define the concept: Describe what impression your brand should create. What emotions should it evoke?
2. Find ideas: Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to search for references.
3. Gather images: Collect photographs, illustrations, and other visual elements that align with your concept.
4. Choose a color palette: Identify the main colors that will be used in the project.
5. Select fonts: Pay attention to the typography that will be used in your project.
6. Create a composition: Arrange the gathered elements on the moodboard. You can use both structured and chaotic approaches.

Digital tools for creating moodboards

Today, creating moodboards has become significantly easier thanks to digital tools. Here are some popular services that can assist you in this process:

• Milanote: An intuitive service for creating moodboards with various features.
• Miro: A platform for collaborative project work with the ability to add images and files.
• Sampleboard: A simple service for creating moodboards, although with a limited workspace size.
• Pinterest: A social network that allows you to collect images into thematic boards.
• Figma: An online graphic editor for creating designs and compiling collections of images.