How to Create a Mood Board in ClickUp Step by Step
ClickUp makes it easy to turn scattered creative ideas into a clear visual direction using mood boards. This how-to guide walks you through building a complete digital mood board workflow so your team can capture inspiration, align on style, and move faster from concept to final design.
Why Build Mood Boards in ClickUp?
Designers, marketers, and product teams use mood boards to collect visual references before committing to a final look and feel. Managing all of that inspiration in ClickUp gives you one organized hub for every image, note, and decision.
Using a mood board inside your workspace helps you:
- Centralize visual references, links, and notes
- Share ideas with stakeholders in real time
- Track feedback and approvals alongside assets
- Keep inspiration connected to tasks and timelines
This guide is based on the workflows outlined in the official mood board templates from ClickUp, which you can review here: ClickUp mood board templates.
Prepare Your Workspace in ClickUp
Before you build your first board, set up a dedicated space so every project follows the same structure.
Create a Mood Board Space in ClickUp
-
Log in to ClickUp and click the + icon to create a new Space.
-
Name it something like Creative Mood Boards or Brand Inspiration.
-
Choose your Space color and icon so it stands out in your sidebar.
-
Enable the needed ClickUp views such as List, Board, Docs, and Whiteboards.
This Space will hold mood boards for all brands, campaigns, or clients so your team always knows where to look.
Set Up a Project Folder in ClickUp
-
Inside your new Space, create a Folder for each brand, client, or product line.
-
Name the Folder with the project name, for example, Spring Campaign 2026.
-
Within that Folder, you will create a list for each specific mood board or creative direction.
Organizing this way keeps every mood board connected to the right project in ClickUp without clutter.
Use ClickUp Templates to Start Faster
Instead of building your mood boards from scratch, you can speed up setup using ready-made layouts. The source article showcases several template styles that work perfectly in ClickUp.
Choose the Right ClickUp Mood Board Template Style
Match your template to your project type:
- Branding and identity: Use a layout with sections for color, typography, logo references, and photography style.
- UI and product design: Choose columns for layout inspiration, interaction patterns, iconography, and motion ideas.
- Marketing campaigns: Include areas for audience mood, copy tone, visuals, channels, and competitor examples.
- Interior or physical product design: Add sections for materials, textures, lighting, and layout concepts.
You can mirror these structures inside ClickUp using Lists, Board columns, Docs sections, or Whiteboard clusters.
Build a Reusable ClickUp List Template
-
Create a new List in your project Folder named [Template] Mood Board.
-
Add tasks representing major mood board sections such as Colors, Fonts, Imagery, and Inspiration Links.
-
For each task, add custom fields in ClickUp such as Source URL, Asset Type, Status, or Approved.
-
Save this List as a Template so you can reuse the structure for every new mood board.
Next time you start a project, apply your List template in ClickUp to spin up a working mood board in seconds.
Collect Visual Inspiration in ClickUp
Once your structure is ready, start adding images, links, and notes to build out your mood board.
Add Assets to Tasks in ClickUp
-
Open the List for your current mood board.
-
Create a new task for each visual or idea you want to capture.
-
Upload files directly to the task, including PNG, JPG, GIF, or PDF references.
-
Use the description area to explain why the asset fits the mood.
-
Tag tasks with labels like Must Have, Explore, or Client Reference.
This structure lets you filter by tags and fields inside ClickUp to quickly see the strongest ideas.
Use ClickUp Docs as a Linear Mood Board
If you prefer a scrolling collage style, use Docs inside ClickUp:
-
Create a Doc in your project Folder called [Project Name] Mood Board.
-
Add sections such as Visual Style, Color Palette, Typography, and Layout Inspiration.
-
Paste images, screenshots, and links directly into each section.
-
Use headings, dividers, and callouts to separate ideas and notes.
-
Mention teammates with
@usernameto ask for feedback on specific images.
Docs in ClickUp work like a living creative brief where your mood board and commentary stay together.
Design a Visual Board View in ClickUp
For a more traditional card-style board:
-
Switch your List to Board view in ClickUp.
-
Group tasks by Status or a custom field like Mood Category.
-
Set a cover image on each task so the card becomes a visual tile.
-
Drag and drop cards between columns to refine the board’s overall look.
The Board view in ClickUp gives you an at-a-glance snapshot similar to physical mood boards, but with all the detail hidden inside each task.
Collaborate on Mood Boards in ClickUp
Feedback is where mood boards become truly useful. ClickUp gives your team simple ways to comment, iterate, and approve ideas without leaving the workspace.
Share and Comment on ClickUp Mood Boards
-
Invite teammates to the Space, Folder, or specific List for your project.
-
Use task comments to gather reactions on individual images or concepts.
-
Turn important feedback into assigned comments so nothing is missed.
-
Add a status like Approved, Needs Revision, or Rejected to signal decisions.
These collaboration tools in ClickUp keep every creative discussion linked to the exact mood board element it refers to.
Present Your ClickUp Mood Board to Stakeholders
When it is time to present:
-
Use Full Screen or Doc view to walk stakeholders through the board without distractions.
-
Group assets into a narrative: start with audience mood, then color and typography, followed by imagery and examples.
-
Capture stakeholder notes directly into tasks or the Doc while you present.
-
Update statuses in ClickUp during the meeting so everyone sees decisions in real time.
This reduces follow-up email chains and keeps your final direction traceable.
Connect Mood Boards to Execution in ClickUp
The biggest advantage of hosting your mood boards in ClickUp is the ability to convert inspiration into action without switching tools.
Turn Mood Board Ideas into Tasks in ClickUp
-
For each approved visual direction, create downstream tasks such as Design Homepage Mockup or Produce Photo Shoot.
-
Link these tasks back to the original mood board items using relationships or mentions.
-
Use ClickUp views like Gantt or Calendar to schedule production work tied to the chosen style.
This ensures your final assets stay true to the mood you developed earlier in the process.
Improve Your Workflow with Expert Help
If you want to take your ClickUp creative system even further, you can work with implementation specialists who build optimized spaces, templates, and automations tailored to your team. Agencies such as Consultevo help companies design ClickUp setups that connect strategy, execution, and reporting in one place.
Next Steps for Your ClickUp Mood Boards
Building mood boards in ClickUp gives your team a single source of truth for visual direction while keeping every asset connected to the work that follows. Start by setting up a dedicated Space, create a reusable List or Doc template, then fill it with images, notes, and links. Use Board view, Docs, and comments to refine your ideas, align stakeholders, and convert approved concepts into actionable tasks.
For more layout ideas and inspiration, explore the official mood board templates and examples provided by ClickUp in their detailed article here: mood board templates from ClickUp.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
“`
