I always prepare a moodboard before every design – it’s a collage that helps me create the feeling I want to create in a new design.
Today I am sharing with you how you can create a moodboard too. And if you want to quickly design any kind of graphics, you can use the free online application/service Canva – how to design in Canva, I have also prepared a free online course, which you can find here How To Design In Canva For Free
What is a Moodboard and why is it important?
A collage, or moodboard, is a collection of photos, pictures, words, colors, patterns, etc. that visually represent the feeling we want to achieve with the material we want to create.
Most often moodboards serve as inspiration and coordinate visual representations (which direction we want to take the design in). Imagine having a team of employees: everyone imagines the packaging of a new product differently, so how do you agree on a suitable direction for the product?
With a moodboard, you can quickly and uniquely present (to yourself and the team) what you want to achieve – visually and emotionally. Such a collage also enables you to see more quickly which pieces of your project fit together and which do not. What you like and what you don’t. What photographs, colors, patterns evoke the emotions you desire.
For each new project, I advise you to create a new moodboard. For general inspiration, however, you can create a library where you keep whatever you like.
How to create a moodboard?
1 | Tool
The easiest way to create a hidden board on Pinterest is to use it to create a moodboard. Hidden means it will only be visible to you.
If you don’t already have one, first you need to create a free account on Pinterest, click on your profile > Boards > Create a board and check “Keep this board secret”.
The moodboard should be the first step in designing. This sets the goal for what you want at the beginning and then focuses on performance. Believe me, this will save you a lot of time during design, because it will prevent you from jumping from one style to another and instead help you to focus on exactly what you want.
2 | Finding Content
Once you’ve got your Pinterest board ready (or use some other tool), you can start looking for content. Elements include all possible visuals, without restriction, for example:
- photos that represent what you want to include – can be color or content inspiration, can evoke a particular feeling that you want to stimulate with your design;
- fonts, words – you can add fonts that you like and want to use. These can be handwritten fonts, capital letters, etc.
- patterns – you can also include different patterns, shapes, textures, etc.
- colors – you can also add colors (or shades), e.g., gentle seaside photos to complement the moodboard with some light blue color for a feeling of lightness and relaxing touch.
You’re free to create a moodboard as you wish, by taking into account the few suggestions I have made above or by putting together your very own strategy. There are no limits. You may decide to only use photos – some that you find on the web or take yourself. You can also find inspiration in nature (take pictures and save). The quality of the photos is not so important in this process. What matters is what they represent.
3 | The moodboard – overview and finesse
The first draft of the moodboard is now ready. It just needs to be fine-tuned. You can do this by looking at it and ask yourself if it works as a whole. Is there anything superfluous on which part projects out?
Do you understand from the moodboard how you want to design this project?
What is a red thread?
Colors, patterns, style?
Is this all that you want?
Great, if it’s all tipi-topi, you can take the next step. If not, take some more time and remove anything that doesn’t fit, find new items that are more relevant and adjust the collage as needed. Also, consider whether the colors are appropriate – most notably according to your CGP.
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