What is a Mood Board?
A mood board is a pre-visualisation tool used by artists and designers to evoke a style or concept by appropriating collections of images, objects or textures which communicate a particular visual aspect of the project.
They can begin as simple collages or collections of considered images in a sketchbook or digital format....
And as the concept becomes clearer, these can develop into more project specific collections of objects, grouped together for their textural qualities, colour combinations or associations with some aspect of the story, audience or message...
In presenting the idea, the gathered textures, colours and objects can be then presented alongside other key concept tools such as character designs, macquettes and sketches to present as fully as possible the shape, proportions, colour, textural qualities and materials key to visually connecting the enviornment/object character with the audience and story.
Tips on preparing mood boards. |
While it may be resonant and attractive to physically prepare and present mood boards as artefacts, this can be time consuming, expensive and inefficient. A collection of objects can be photographed sensitively and well and digitally incorporated into design sheets to look professional and attractive without losing the material qualities and physicality you are attempting to communicate. Highly textured objects can be scanned in at a high resolution, translucent materials can be photographed on a light box, and key items can be shot in a stop motion station using the lights and camera there.