The ‘Mood Boards’ Brainstorming
Icebreaker Activity
Including a Brainstorming icebreaker activity can be a great way to get
participants in a training session to be creative and also to have fun getting to
know each other. The ‘Mood boards’ brainstorming activity is one of our
favorites and it’s detailed below, for you to use.
Page Contents
Recommended Brainstorming Time-frame
If you allow 15 to 20 minutes for this brainstorming icebreaker activity, that is
the best option.
You can also ask the participants to return to this activity at different points
during the training session so that they can build on what they have learned
during the training session and then apply it to their brainstorming.
Number of Participants and Group Numbers
This activity can be run in small groups or the whole class can contribute to
the same board and then engage in a final discussion.
If you decide to separate your participants into small groups, I suggest 4 to 6
participants in each group.
Purpose Of this Icebreaker Activity
Brainstorming, creativity, and team-building.
The ‘Mood boards’ activity really gives your participants a chance to be
creative, to work together as a team, by associations, and to use a variety of
media, such as words, drawings, or photos.
‘Mood boards’ also help participants work as part of a team, as each
participant will give input to the creative process.
This activity is especially good to include if the subject you are teaching
involves creativity in some form.
Activity Instructions
1. For this activity, you will need:
An empty wall or a board on which to attach items
Blue tack, stick tape, or drawing pins (depending on the board material)
Scissors
Post-it notes
Old magazines for cutting out photos
Pictures
Markers and/or pens
String if you want participants to create connections between items
2. Decide on the focus, or purpose of your mood board. Is there a specific
question you would like the participants to answer? A specific problem to
solve?
A certain point you would like them to reflect on?
Are you trying to get your participants to brainstorm?
3. Place an ‘anchor’ in the middle of the board. This can be a word or an
evocative photo.
4. Ask participants to add new elements (words or pictures), thinking about
how the new item complements or adds to the anchor and the following
elements.
The mood board can develop various branches.
5. Once the mood board is finished, start a discussion, which can include
questions such as:
What themes come out or repeat?
Do we notice any trends?
Are there any negative issues?
Do we spot any opportunities?
Benefits of the ‘Mood Boards’ Brainstorming
Icebreaker
Mood boards are hands-on activities that encourage participants to use
actual materials. So, they are good at stimulating the kinaesthetic learning
style.
Because of the variety of media involved (e.g., visuals and words), they
can stimulate different types of learning styles.
This type of activity stimulates team building and communication.
This activity really encourages participants to think holistically and to make
associations between different ideas.
This is an activity that tends to be popular and fun to do and is an easy activity
to run as a teacher or freelance trainer.
Examples of Using Mood Boards at Work
Case Study 1: Redesigning a Product Line
Scenario
A design team at a consumer electronics company was tasked with revamping
an existing product line to meet changing market trends and customer
preferences.
The team members had diverse ideas but struggled to align on a cohesive
vision for the redesign.
Solution
The team decided to use mood boards to visually represent their individual
concepts.
Each team member created a mood board showcasing color schemes, design
elements, and user experiences they envisioned for the new product line.
During a collaborative session, they presented their mood boards, fostering a
discussion that led to a hybrid concept that incorporated the best elements
from each proposal.
The mood boards not only facilitated communication but also served as a
reference point throughout the design process, ensuring consistency in the
final product.
Outcome
The resulting product line received positive feedback.
Customers loved the new products and sales went well and the managers
internally seemed very happy with the way the concepts developed.
The mood boards played a crucial role in aligning the team’s vision,
enhancing creativity, and ultimately contributing to the success of the
redesigned products.
Case Study 2: Branding Strategy for a Startup
Scenario
A newly formed startup in the health and wellness industry needed to
establish a strong brand identity to differentiate itself in a competitive market.
The team, consisting of individuals from marketing, design, and business
development, had different perspectives on how to communicate the brand’s
values and mission effectively.
Solution
To align the team’s vision and create a unified brand strategy, the members
used mood boards.
Each team member was assigned a specific aspect of the brand (e.g., color
palette, typography, imagery) and tasked with creating a mood board that
represented their interpretation of the brand.
During a collaborative workshop, the team shared their mood boards, allowing
for a comprehensive discussion on the visual and emotional elements that
would define the brand.
Outcome
The mood boards facilitated a shared appreciation and understanding of what
they were trying to achieve for the brand in terms of direction and values.
This collaborative approach resulted in a cohesive branding strategy that the
target audience could relate to and that in the end successfully drove sales.
The startup successfully launched its brand, and the mood boards served as a
foundational reference for subsequent marketing materials and campaigns.
Case Study 3: Employee Wellness Program Design
Scenario
A human resources team in a large corporation aimed to implement a
comprehensive employee wellness program.
However, the team faced challenges in deciding on the program’s structure,
activities, and communication strategy.
Solution
To generate ideas and build consensus, the HR team utilized mood boards.
Each team member created a mood board showcasing different aspects of the
wellness program, such as fitness initiatives, mental health support, and
community-building activities.
During a workshop, the team discussed the mood boards, identifying the most
appealing and feasible elements for the program.
Outcome
The mood boards facilitated a collaborative approach to designing the
employee wellness program.
The final program incorporated a well-rounded set of activities that addressed
physical and mental well-being.
Employee engagement increased, and the mood boards served as a visual
guide for program implementation and communication strategies.
