Make a Client Moodboard That Supports a Decision

A client moodboard should support a specific decision. Name that decision at the top: choosing a palette, a photographic direction, a material family, or an overall visual tone. A board that tries to settle everything at once makes feedback harder to interpret.

Separate the directions

Create a small set of clearly different options when alternatives are needed. Keep the same comparison criteria across them. For example, compare light, texture, and composition for each photographic direction rather than giving one option much more explanation than the others.

Use approved material, your own media, or references you have permission to share in this setting. Include sources as appropriate. A saved image is not automatically cleared for a client handoff.

Explain the references

Write short notes that identify the relevant quality. "Diffuse light and low contrast" is clearer than "premium." Say when the product, model, lettering, or composition is not part of the proposed direction.

Remove references that contradict the direction unless they are explicitly presented as an alternative. More images do not necessarily make a proposal clearer.

Assemble and inspect

In refern, use a canvas to arrange images, text, groups, and swatches. Make the main examples readable at the size the client will actually see. Keep the library broad and the presentation focused.

Check the final exported artifact rather than only the editable canvas: text size, crops, missing media, and ordering can matter in the handoff. A static image does not provide an editable board or an approval history.

To walk a client through individual references in a meeting, open one in the viewer and press Shift+F for presentation mode. It shows one file full screen on black with the controls hidden, and the arrow keys move between files. It does not advance on a timer; you move to the next file yourself.

Ask for a concrete response

Give the recipient a question such as "Which lighting direction fits the launch photos?" Record the decision, date, and any unresolved points in the project's agreed review system.

refern's current local canvas is not a browser co-editing, comment, or client-approval service. Use the collaboration tool already agreed for the project when those functions are required. Keep the approved artifact separate from later exploratory changes.

Preserve the source project

Save the board and retain the source media and workspace data it depends on. Keep a dated review copy so the approved direction can be compared with later work.

Use the moodboard walkthrough for controls and the source-tracking guide for attribution records.