When starting any creative design project, such as designing your room, renovating your home, or decorating for an event, one of the most difficult tasks is turning all your inspiration into a cohesive idea for your design. You also need to communicate your design ideas to clients and other people. That’s where mood boards come in.
A mood board or inspiration board is a collage of images, text, materials, colour palette, and other design elements arranged in a format representative of the final design style you aim to achieve for your project. In this article, we’ll explain why setting the mood with a mood board is important and how to create one.
Why you should create a mood board
The main purpose of a mood board is to establish the design flow of your project. Creating a mood board can help you gather inspiration for your project when starting from a blank slate. It also helps you refine your ideas by defining how you want your project to come together. Creating a mood board at the start of your project will guide you through the creative decisions you’ll have to make throughout the project.
A mood board makes it easier to communicate your ideas to others. Whether you’re a creative professional trying to show a client the project’s overall direction or getting your spouse on board for your interior design, a mood board helps you present your idea clearly and succinctly.
How to create a mood board
So how do you put a mood board together?
Most people think a mood board has to be arranged or pinned neatly to a board. While giving you a mood board structure is great, there’s no one standard way to go about it. Here are a few tips you’ll find helpful.
Define the purpose
Are you creating the mood board for a home renovation project, a design concept, a branding campaign, or something else? Defining the purpose will guide you through the process of creating the board.
Gather inspiration: Collect images, colours, textures, patterns, and other visual elements that resonate with the theme or concept you’re exploring. You can find inspiration from magazines, websites, Pinterest, Instagram, or other sources that appeal to you. You should probably determine a theme for your project from the onset. The theme, materials, and colours you want to use for your project will determine how you search for inspiration.
Choose a platform
Creating a physical mood board typically involves printing out mages and other materials and arranging them on a canvas or board. You can also create a digital mood board using software or an online tool.
Select your visuals
Filter through your collected materials and choose the ones that best represent the mood, style, and aesthetic you want to convey with your project. Aim for diverse textures, colours, and styles to create a well-rounded board.
Organise the layout
If you’re making a physical mood board, arrange the visuals you have selected on your board using pins, tapes, or glue to secure them. Digital mood boards are easier to arrange. Some platforms even have ready layouts and templates you can customise for yourself.
Add descriptive elements like quotes, keywords, or small notes that explain the feelings or concepts behind each image on your board. Experiment with placing images and elements to achieve a balanced and visually appealing composition. You can create a grid-like structure or a more organic and free-flowing arrangement depending on your preference.
Consider colour and typography
Pay attention to the colours used in your mood board, as they significantly set the mood and tone. Additionally, if your project involves text elements, experiment with different typography styles to see how they fit into the overall aesthetic.
Revise and refine your board
Review your mood board when you’re done putting it together. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it accurately represents the mood and concept you want to convey. Don’t be afraid to swap out images or rearrange elements if something doesn’t feel right.