moodboard-creator

Moodboard Creator

Create and refine visual moodboards that synthesize design inspiration into a cohesive direction.

Purpose

Before jumping to code, create a moodboard that:

• Consolidates inspiration into clear direction
• Extracts colors, typography, and patterns
• Allows iterative refinement with user feedback
• Establishes design language before implementation

Workflow

Step 1: Gather Sources

Collect inspiration from:

• Trend research screenshots
• Analyzed websites
• User-provided URLs or images
• Dribbble/Behance shots

For each source, note:

• URL or source
• Key visual elements to extract
• Why it's relevant

Step 2: Extract Elements

From collected sources, extract:

Colors

• Primary colors (1-2)
• Secondary/accent colors (1-2)
• Background colors
• Text colors
• Note hex codes

Typography

• Headline font style (name if identifiable)
• Body font style
• Weight and size observations
• Spacing/tracking notes

UI Patterns

• Navigation styles
• Card treatments
• Button designs
• Section layouts
• Decorative elements

Mood/Atmosphere

• Keywords describing the feel
• Emotional response
• Brand personality traits

Step 3: Create Moodboard Document

Generate a structured moodboard:

## Moodboard v1 - [Project Name]

### Inspiration Sources
| Source | Key Takeaway |
|--------|--------------|
| [URL/Name 1] | [What we're taking from it] |
| [URL/Name 2] | [What we're taking from it] |
| [URL/Name 3] | [What we're taking from it] |

### Color Direction

Primary: #[hex] - [color name]

Secondary: #[hex] - [color name]

Accent: #[hex] - [color name]

Background: #[hex] - [color name]

Text: #[hex] - [color name]

### Typography Direction
- **Headlines**: [Font/style] - [weight, size notes]
- **Body**: [Font/style] - [readability notes]
- **Accents**: [Any special type treatments]

### UI Patterns to Incorporate
1. **[Pattern Name]**: [Description of how to use it]
2. **[Pattern Name]**: [Description of how to use it]
3. **[Pattern Name]**: [Description of how to use it]

### Layout Approach
- Grid system: [e.g., 12-column, bento, asymmetric]
- Spacing philosophy: [tight, airy, mixed]
- Section structure: [full-width, contained, alternating]

### Mood Keywords
[Keyword 1] | [Keyword 2] | [Keyword 3] | [Keyword 4]

### Visual References
[Descriptions of key screenshots/references]

### What to Avoid
- [Anti-pattern from inspiration that doesn't fit]
- [Style that would clash]

Step 4: User Review

Present moodboard to user and ask:

• Does this direction feel right?
• Any colors to adjust?
• Typography preferences?
• Patterns to add or remove?
• Keywords that don't fit?

Step 5: Iterate

Based on feedback:

1. Update moodboard version number
2. Adjust elements per feedback
3. Add new inspirations if needed
4. Remove rejected elements
5. Present updated version

Continue until user approves.

Step 6: Finalize

When approved, create final moodboard summary:

## FINAL Moodboard - [Project Name]

### Approved Direction
[Summary of the design direction]

### Color Palette (Final)
| Role | Hex | Usage |
|------|-----|-------|
| Primary | #xxx | Buttons, links, accents |
| Secondary | #xxx | Hover states, icons |
| Background | #xxx | Page background |
| Surface | #xxx | Cards, modals |
| Text Primary | #xxx | Headings, body |
| Text Secondary | #xxx | Captions, muted |

### Typography (Final)
- Headlines: [Font Name] - [weight]
- Body: [Font Name] - [weight]
- Monospace: [Font Name] (if needed)

### Key Patterns
1. [Pattern with implementation notes]
2. [Pattern with implementation notes]

### Ready for Implementation
[Checkbox] Colors defined
[Checkbox] Fonts selected
[Checkbox] Layout approach set
[Checkbox] User approved

Iteration Best Practices

• Keep each version documented
• Make focused changes (don't overhaul everything)
• Explain changes clearly
• Show before/after for major shifts
• Maximum 3-4 iterations (then synthesize feedback)

Fallback Mode

If no visual sources available:

1. Ask user to describe desired mood/feel
2. Reference aesthetic categories from design-wizard
3. Suggest color palettes from color-curator fallbacks
4. Use typography pairings from typography-selector fallbacks
5. Create text-based moodboard from descriptions

Output

Final moodboard should directly inform:

• Tailwind config colors
• Google Fonts selection
• Component styling decisions
• Layout structure