Do Illustrators need vision boards?

Vision boards can be a powerful tool for illustrators, though they’re not essential for everyone. Whether an illustrator *needs* one depends on their creative process and preferences.

But what is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a collection of images, words, and inspiration that visually represent goals, ideas, or themes. It can be made on paper, a pinboard, or digitally.

For illustrators, vision boards can be especially helpful when brainstorming for a project, like a children's book or a series of artworks. By gathering visual inspiration, such as color schemes, moods, and reference images, a vision board helps organize creative thoughts and stay focused on a cohesive style or theme. It also helps spark new ideas when feeling stuck or uninspired.

Vision boards are also beneficial for long-term creative goals. Illustrators who have a vision board of their dream projects or career aspirations are constantly reminded of what they’re working toward. Seeing this every day can provide motivation and a clearer sense of direction.

However, not every illustrator finds this tool necessary. Some people naturally process ideas in their minds without needing a visual reminder. Others might find it more useful to sketch, journal, or simply observe their surroundings for inspiration.

Whether an illustrator uses one depends on how they best gather and channel their inspiration.