When we meet in front of logo design projects or graphic identity of a brand, we can have certain problems to translate the proposals or ideas we have in mind. Many times it happens to us that we have to make a description to the client of how a design can be, and the words or references fail to fully convey the idea clearly.
It can also go the other way, a client may want to show the designer the idea that he has for his brand, and the written briefing is insufficient. This slows down our design process, we have to make more changes, and many times customers can be dissatisfied. For these cases, there is a tool that is the great ally of fashion designers and that, if we give it a chance, can help us graphic designers to visually capture our ideas: the Mood board.
The Mood board has been a kind collage based on an idea or inspiration. Can bring photographs, illustrations, phrases, colors, fonts or textures. In short, any element that, as its name indicates, transmits to us the same feeling. If we are wanting to design a swimwear brand, for example, we can use photographs of beaches, palm trees, the sea, color palettes between blue and yellow, sand texture, sea snail prints, etc.
Esto broadens our vision of what we want to design, we are not simply left with logo ideas similar to our brand, but brings us closer to total visual result of what our graphic identity will be. In addition, it is extremely useful especially for defining colors and fonts, which are elements that take great care and time at the time of their choice.
How to build a Mood board
Define what you are looking for
To know what type of images your Mood board will carry, you have to do brainstorm taking into consideration: what the client himself has expressed that he wants for your brand, the tastes and characteristics of the target audience the brand, and your own contributions and ideas as a designer.
With this information collected, we have to define concretely and consistent what we want to convey in emotions, sensations and visual elements: warmth, fun, movement, enjoyment, sunlight, the blue of the sea, happiness, etc.
Once we have these elements chosen, it's time to seek inspiration!
Inspirational image of the beach and the sea.
Find the visuals
We recommend that you collect in equal proportion all the elements you are looking for: fonts, photographs, textures, colors, patterns. From here you can take as many images as you like, about 30 for example, but in the end you will have to choose only the best and what else do i know adjust to what you want to convey.
Do not overdo the use of any, do not use more than two fonts, for example, or fill the photo board leaving aside the other elements. It is also important that be consistent, Do not add anything that does not add true value and only place images that clearly convey what you are looking for.
If you are going to search the internet, Pinterest is one of the best tools that you can use. In fact, it is designed to be a great visual board, so take some time to thoroughly search for references and create your own board where you can select the images that serve you. There are other pages like Behance, Dribbble or Unsplash that can also help you in this search.
Inspirational image of the sea.
Inspirational image, yellow beach door texture.
In digital or physical
You can create the board both digitally and physically. If you are more used to handling programs and it becomes easier for you, save your images in a folder on your computer or on your Pinterest board, and then use Illustrator or Photoshop to make your collage.
If you are one of those who feels more comfortable doing manual things, you can do your collage in physics, and here you can use from magazines, card stock, colored papers, wallpaper, or any trim that works for you.
Start designing
Once you have created your Mood board, you can start designing. You will see how this visual tool will help you to do more concrete and better targeted design proposals towards what your client wants. You are going to have fewer errors and more likely to accept designs without much change. In addition, it will help you to more easily develop all the graphic identity, from the logo to the stationery and advertisements.
So now you know, for your next designs, try creating a Mood board!
Mood board for swimwear brand