Among the most enjoyable tasks of establishing a brand is the creation of the inspiration board. Remember, you're getting the non-designer's advice here, but sometimes that's all you need, right?!

what is an inspiration board? /

Not to be mistaken with a brand board, an inspiration board is a central space where you collect images or items that you might want to incorporate into your brand. A space where you can see “the big picture” visually. This board should include things that inspire you. Things that evoke a feeling that you are attempting to create with your brand.

Think about things that will bring your brand to life in a real, tangible way.

An inspiration board is a place where you’re able to put all of the pretty things that you like and want your business to look and feel like. It’s documenting in pictures. (BONUS: this will help immensely if you are going to work with a designer or strategist or anyone really. It’s like a peek inside your head.)

types of inspiration boards /

Now that you know what one is, you need to figure out what type of inspiration board you are going to create. There are so many ways to go about this task—the more creative and inventive you are, the more ideas you’ll have. I have a whole pinterest board dedicated solely to inspiration boards which is sort of funny as pinterest boards can actually serve as a way to create an inspiration board all in itself. (You can find my pinterest board on inspiration boards here.)

HERE ARE SOME TYPES OF BOARDS TO CONSIDER:

Pinterest board
Bulletin board
Magnet board
A wall
The inside of a cabinet door
Poster board (foam board or presentation board)
Pegboard panel
Use your imagination

what do you put on an inspiration board? /

Once you’ve selected what kind of board you are going to create, here are thing to consider including on your board. Keep in mind that some boards allow you to actually include objects and not just images, which is kind of fun (are there a pair of scissors that you love or maybe a fabric swatch that has the right texture?)

examples font styles
colors
style (romantic, bold, edgy, casual)
design and layout
textures
logos
real life items (fabric swatches and other items that you want to shape your brand)

Don’t be shy! There is no limit to what can go on your board. Let your creative juices run wild and go with your gut. You may be surprised at what you find emerge at the end.

edit your board /

Now that you’ve got it all together in front of you, you can start to see your brand being formed. You’ll see trends in your color choices, font selections, design preferences and more. This is when you can go back and edit the things that don’t quite fit anymore or maybe you don’t like as much as you originally thought you did.

But there is no end to an inspiration board—you can add and subtract from it at any time.