Moodboard

What is this method about?

A collection of images, colors, fonts, and other visual elements that serve as design inspiration and communicate a visual theme for a new product or service—usually based on brand and brand style guidelines.

Why use it

This tool helps to establish an aesthetic flow for designing a product, website, application or service. It gives the team guidance for developing the desired style and for how customers might perceive this theme. When you start out with and have a visual guideline to follow, first iterations of design can begin using these guidelines.

When should I use it?

During the discover stages. Ideally, a mood board will be the first visual design deliverable, before starting the website or product layout. It is a tool that helps set design expectations in the beginning of a project, to guide the aesthetics in the future.

What you get

• You will generate an image file or physical board with organized set of images, colors, text and similar elements. • Results will be used to guide the design and set the tone of the product.

At a glance

• Time: Short
• Effort: Low
• Cost: Low

Materials

• Input materials (e.g. magazine cut outs)
• Whiteboard
• Markers (several colors)
• Graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite)
• Online tools (like Pinterest, Canva, Moodboard)
• Business product goals/strategy
• Brand values
• Existing customer research information (e.g. persona, profiles, types)

Who is involved

• UI Designer
• UX Designer
• Client/Stakeholder (Internal or External)