How to create a concept board?

Want to give new artistic direction to your presentations, digital visuals or print media? Develop your concept board first!

Do you really know what a concept board is?

A concept board (design board) is the starting point for stimulating the creative process. It is a pragmatic and structured approach to embodying a universe/vision/values/business strategy within a graphic project.

It visually represents one or more ideas for a brand, product or service. Its objective is to guide the project by identifying design elements and explaining their characteristics and benefits.

👉 In comparison, a mood board is a visual presentation whose purpose is to convey an idea, an emotion, a particular feeling. In concrete terms, it is a type of collage composed of several visuals (images, texts, objects...) or graphic creations (infographics, post social networks, posters...).

Examples of our client achievements

1/ The concept board for a brand specialized in organic foods 🌿

I discover

2/ The board concept for a brand specializing in wellness care

I discover

 

Advantages of a concept board

The concept board makes it easier to present a project and better visualize the ideas proposed. It visually provides a precise description of the development of a project.

How to create a concept board?

 

Explain your concept and what it embodies:

• Company values: reflect on the core values of your business (innovation, sustainability, quality, simplicity, etc.). These values must be reflected in all elements of your board concept.
• Positioning your solution/product: Identify the positioning of your product or service on the market. Is it a luxury, affordable, avant-garde, traditional, minimalist or sophisticated product? The concept board must communicate this positioning.
• Key message: determine the main message you want to convey through the concept board. For example, if your brand represents innovation and modernity, your visual elements must translate these ideas.

Define typography:

• Choose a main font (it must really be THE TYPO number one forever): choose a font that embodies your company's values. For example, a modern and sleek serif font for a technological brand or a more traditional serif font for a luxury brand.
• Typing Hierarchy: Set a hierarchy for titles, subtitles, and the body of the text. This hierarchy creates clarity and guides the reader through the content.
• Combinations of fonts: Make sure the selected fonts complement each other and create a visual balance. You can use one font for titles and another for the current text.

Specify the primary and secondary colours:

• Primary colour palette: Attention here, it is the dominant colors that reflect the identity of the brand. They must be consistent with the message you want to convey (for example, blue for trust and security, green for nature and sustainability).
• Side colour palette: these colours complement the main palette and are used to highlight certain elements, such as action calls or visual accents. They must be harmonious with the primary colours.
• Contrast and readability: Make sure color combinations offer a good contrast to improve readability and visual impact.

Choose the graphical elements:

• Images and photographs: use images that capture the atmosphere, lifestyle or universe that your brand wants to represent (and if possible be impacting, striking, striking, vibrant... Okay? They must truly embody your brand and convey the right messages). For example, nature pictures for an ecological brand or fashion week pictures for a fashion company.
• Icons and illustrations: choose icons and illustrations that complement the general style of the concept board. They can be used to represent concepts in a simplified and stylized way.
• Patterns and textures: textures and patterns can add depth and visual interest. So don't ever worry about doing too much or not enough, dare, try, test different patterns and textures related to your project! For example, wooded textures for a natural atmosphere or geometric patterns for a feeling of modernity.
• Visual harmony: please (because yes it is very important), think of checking that all the graphic elements harmonize with each other and do not create visual inconsistency.

Make situations on 2 or 3 samples:

• Select 2 or 3 media that are most relevant to your business or product. For example, a website home page mockup, social media advertising and product packaging.
• Consistency of the brand: check that the elements of the board concept (colours, typography, images, etc.) work well together on each medium and reinforce the brand identity.
• Feedback: Use these situations to gather feedback from your teams or clients (well yes, the opinions/opinions of each other is the basis in this profession, so we don't hesitate to survey different people) and so, make adjustments if necessary (because you have certainly already done a very good job, well done!).

👉 By the way team, never forget this: the concept board can always be revised and adjusted whenever you want!