A moodboard in the web design process is a really powerful element to communicate feelings and information that can be hard to describe. It allows a new client to show what images, colors, graphics or typefaces she likes without searching for hours and hours and downloading or sending the URLs or images.
Part of the web design process
The process of how we design websites is changing all the time. There was a time when we did not have to worry about the different browser sizes because there were only desktop monitors and that was all. Not any more.
I have been using moodboard for a while, but not Pinterest. I should say I was ignorant of the usefulness of Pinterest. Nowadays I use it to begin most of my web design projects.
What is a moodboard?
A moodboard is a collage of different design elements, colors, examples, patterns, images, or any inspirational elements. It is practical but mostly inspirational for both clients and designers. A board does not have any actual design elements of the new website but would establish the color scheme, the tone of the site.
Examples of moodboards
Both of these were created for the same client after she showed me her Pinterest board. There were two distinct styles I could separate. To make sure I use the one that she liked the most, I created two images for her to chose from. One with the airy light seaside theme and the other using earthy colors and warmer elements.
I also included some practical elements like button designs and typefaces so I save time in the future design process and we do not have to come back to choose the fonts again.
Can you see how this can help in the creative process?
It also saves a lot of time because I already know what color palette she expects to see.
Check out the final website to see the finished project. wendyhyattwellness.com
It is a fun way to start a web design process
As a web designer, it is really a fun and helpful way to start working on a new website. It gives a ton of inspirations and helps to understand what the client is actually looking for. The style the sense and the feeling she will be happy to see on her own site.
Conclusion
Mood boards are inherently valuable to the web design process to help start defining a general visual language and start getting an idea of what a client likes or dislikes. In our experience, it pays to give this piece of process more attention than it often receives. By spending the effort to make your mood boards more detailed, substantial, and designed, you’ll build a stronger foundation, gather better feedback, and better position the whole project.
