A mood board in game design is a visual collection of images, textures, colors, and other elements used to define and communicate the overall aesthetic, feel, and style of a game project. It serves as a central point of inspiration and reference for the development team.
Understanding Mood Boards
In game design, a mood board is more than just a collection of pictures; it's a powerful tool for visualization and communication. Moodboards can help you visualize any aspect of your project. This means they can be focused on the look of the final game, such as its art style, color palette, and lighting.
Alternatively, they can delve into more specific areas. For example, a mood board could be centered around collecting references for characters or environments. You can create separate mood boards for different aspects like:
- Art Style: Defining the visual fidelity (e.g., pixel art, realistic 3D, cel-shaded).
- Atmosphere: Capturing the intended feeling (e.g., spooky, whimsical, epic).
- Environment: Showing inspiration for landscapes, buildings, or interior spaces.
- Characters: Gathering references for character designs, clothing, or personalities.
- Color Palette: Establishing the primary colors and their usage.
- UI/UX: Visualizing the style and feel of the user interface.
You can create a mood board for each of these areas separately, or you can mix them all into one board for a broader overview, depending on the project's needs and complexity.
Why Use a Mood Board in Game Design?
Using mood boards offers several key benefits:
- Clarifies Vision: Helps solidify abstract ideas into concrete visual references.
- Enhances Communication: Provides a shared visual language for the team, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding the game's look and feel.
- Inspires Creativity: Acts as a source of inspiration throughout the development process.
- Maintains Consistency: Helps maintain a cohesive aesthetic across different assets and development stages.
What Goes into a Game Design Mood Board?
A mood board typically includes various elements such as:
- Concept art and illustrations
- Screenshots from other games, movies, or media
- Photographs of real-world locations, objects, or people
- Color palettes and swatches
- Texture samples (e.g., rough stone, smooth metal, weathered wood)
- Typography examples
- Keywords or short descriptions of the desired mood
Here's a simple breakdown of common mood board elements:
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Images | Visual inspiration for style, content |
| Colors | Defines the emotional tone and palette |
| Textures | Communicates surface feel and detail |
| Keywords | Captures the intangible mood or theme |
Practical Application
Imagine you're designing a sci-fi exploration game set on a desolate alien planet. Your mood board might include images of:
- Rugged, rocky landscapes
- Sparse, alien vegetation
- Nebulas and starry skies
- Industrial, metallic structures
- Specific color schemes (e.g., deep blues, purples, and oranges)
- Texture references for rock formations or alien soil
This collection visually defines the "desolate alien planet" concept for everyone involved in the project, from artists to level designers.
Mood boards are dynamic tools that can evolve as the game concept matures. They are essential for translating initial ideas into a tangible, shared vision that guides the entire game development process.
