There are lots of moving parts to any design project. As a rookie graphic designer, I did everything the hard way. I had no idea that there were so many tricks and shortcuts that could make my creative life easier. It’s a total case of “you don’t know what you don’t know.”

So now that I am a little bit wiser, one of the biggest time saver tools that I’ve discovered is the branding board. The branding board is the blueprint that helps your design projects flow. Because the last thing you want is to have is a tacky hodgepodge of designs that don’t make sense together. Hopefully.

Branding boards tell a story –breathing life into your projects. Each element of the board is of equal importance. And the board is adaptable to your specific project. It’s toolbox where you can keep all your design data in one place.

The branding board below has a logo, elements, fonts, swatches, variations, and patterns.

The labels are specific to this project, but you can change them to fit your project needs. Let’s dissect each section to see what’s in them:

1. Logo

Even though it’s the first thing you see, this is the last step in building the branding board. The final project design sits in this section. It’s a compilation of the other sections.

2. Elements

The elements compliment the design project. This can include icons, decor or other designs. These details help you to convey your message to your audience.

3. Fonts

Fonts are SO important to your project. As a font snob, I cannot stress this enough. I cringe when fonts don’t match the design. Do your homework to find which fonts best fit the story you are telling.  For inspiration, check out: Pinterest, Behance, Creative Market, Design Cuts, and other creative outlets.

4. Color Swatches

My favorite part of the design is choosing colors. It can be tricky, but there is a ton of inspiration out there to help. You will want to keep your palette simple with 3-6 complimentary colors. For inspiration, check out the following websites: Adobe Color Wheel, Colour Lovers, and Pinterest (search for color palettes or schemes).  

5. Variations or Inspiration

Save your inspiration here. Design projects can take time. This section is a treasure chest of all your findings and it will help you remember that spark that started your creative design.

6. Patterns

These design components add flare and compliment the design. While these pieces are usually subtle, they add the final touches to the project. You can find patterns at Creative Market and Design Cuts.

Final Thoughts

Branding boards are a one-stop-shop for your design projects. They will save you time and energy, especially if you are working with clients. It’s an easy tool to create on Adobe Illustrator or Canva.