moodboard
Designer's visual reference
A moodboard is a collage of images, colors, textures, and sometimes text assembled to establish the visual direction of a creative project.
Designers, photographers, and filmmakers use moodboards to communicate aesthetic intentions before production begins: She put together a moodboard for the album cover.
Also spelled as two words.
Central recurring concept
- motifRecurring thematic element
- narrativeAccount of events
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- subjectMatter under discussion
direction · storyline · tone · feeling · vibe · atmosphere · thread · throughline
Assembled sequence of images
- assemblageCollected group of things
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
composite · bricolage · pastiche · cutouts · clippings · swatches · tearsheets · pinboard
Surface for mixing pigments
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- vintageQuality from past eras
- bohemianArtistic nonconformist type
rustic · chic · elegance · grunge · retro · whimsical · pastel · monochrome
Think deeply about
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- triggerWhat initiates action
springboard · influence · source · prompt · catalyst · touchstone · inspo · evocation
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- conceptualizationMental creation of ideas
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- curationSelective organization of items
gathering · collecting · pinning · sourcing · compiling · editing · refining · iterating
Spatial arrangement of elements
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
- wireframeEdge-only geometric model
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
arrangement · format · spacing · hierarchy · typography · colorway · scheme · structure
theme
Central recurring concept
subject · direction · storyline · tone · feeling · vibe · atmosphere · thread · throughline · anchor
montage
Assembled sequence of images
- assemblageCollected group of things
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
juxtaposition · composite · bricolage · pastiche · cutouts · clippings · swatches · tearsheets · pinboard · corkboard
palette
Surface for mixing pigments
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- minimalismAesthetic of reduction
- vintageQuality from past eras
bohemian · rustic · chic · elegance · grunge · retro · whimsical · pastel · monochrome · earthy
muse
Think deeply about
trigger · springboard · influence · source · prompt · catalyst · touchstone · inspo · evocation · vision
brainstorming
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- conceptualizationMental creation of ideas
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
curation · gathering · collecting · pinning · sourcing · compiling · editing · refining · iterating · presenting
layout
Spatial arrangement of elements
- templatePreset pattern for reproduction
- wireframeEdge-only geometric model
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
grid · arrangement · format · spacing · hierarchy · typography · colorway · scheme · structure · balance
- visual designgraphic design, typography, color, layout, visual hierarchy
- photoshootsphoto shoot, photoshoot, photographer, studio, model
- creativityimagination, creativity, brainstorming, unique voice, inspiration
- color coordinationmatching, palette, scheme, hue, tones
- portfolio piecesportfolio, resume, writing sample, demo reel, art portfolio
- Tumblrreblog, notes, queue, inbox, followers
moodboardfinal product
Completed output ready for use
deliverable · end product · prototype · mockup · final cut
moodboardblueprint
Detailed technical drawing
technical drawing · schematic · style guide · brand guidelines · pattern
mood, board, moody, boards, boarding, dashboard, boarded, billboard, moods