Mood Boards

(image: Ez of Creature Comforts for Melissa Loves)

In college I studied Graphic Design and also took a TON of Fine Art & Art History. One thing we did before almost EVERY project was create "mood boards" to pitch our idea/concept to the class. This was probably my favorite part of the creative process, and took me back to my childhood when I would create mood boards for EVERYTHING (even cutting out cute kids in magazines and putting them on a "this is what my family will look like someday" board). Below is my current wedding mood board (please forgive me for not having all of the links...). It honestly wasn't until I created this that I felt committed to my vision and at ease with my planning. I had DIRECTION and something to look at that kept me inspired and also made it easier to make decisions. Everything I purchase, make, or DO needs to somehow fit into the vision below...this keeps me from straying or having too many elements that don't coexist beautifully.

I read a TON of wedding and style blogs and loooove how mood boards have become such a part of even the "electronic" creative experience! They are also called "Inspiration Boards" or "Vision Boards" but whatever you call them, they are AWESOME. If you have a project or concept stirring around in your head, a home improvement or gardening vision, even an outfit idea, the BEST thing to do is to put it down on paper (on on your computer screen). Lay out colors, patterns, textures, pictures of inspiring places or things and allow yourself lots of flexibility....mix and match, add and take away...until you have achieved the right mood. I also find that looking at other people's boards when I am in a creative rut can really get my juices flowing again! Here are some of my favorites from other blogs:

100 Layer Cake creates simply wonderful boards with fabulous color pallettes.

Snippet & Ink takes an inspired color, item or feeling and creates an entire wedding concept with it, the board above was completely built upon red poppies!

Ez at Creature Comforts creates outfits (complete with where to buy and total cost!) inspired by everything from an interior to an occasion.

Concrete and Honey uses collage as an art form...this is my favorite kind of inpsiration board, the kind where you cut things, paste things, add notes, etc. I could look at her flickr all day!

So...if you are ever feeling overwhelmed by a looming project, creative block because you have all these ideas swimming around in your head, or just plain don't know where to start (i.e. planning an event or shopping for an outfit), mood boards are a great way to get organized and get your ideas out in one visible spot. And as much as they can help you START a project, they most definitely can keep you focused throughout a project (like a wedding). Yay for mood boards! Don't you just LOVE them?