Visual dashboards are a great way to establish a theme or concept. They help you refine your ideas and figure out what goes with what. When creating a visual dashboard, it is important to pay attention to all the images as a whole and how they relate to each other. One of the best things about visual panels is that they can be created anywhere: on a corkboard, online or even on a wall!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Creating a Physical Dashboard
Step 1. Write some keywords
Start with five words that describe your idea or concept. For example, if you want to have a retro-themed wedding, the words might be: lace, light blue, marble, wood, silver.
Step 2. Create a fill system according to the fonts of your images
If you're going to search for images online, create a panel on Pinterest (or similar), open a folder in your browser's favorites or on your desktop. If you're going to pull images from books, catalogs, or magazines, buy a folder with multiple dividers. This way, you will always have everything at hand.
Step 3. Search for images according to your keywords
You can find many images online or in books, catalogs and magazines. Search from 10 to 20 images. This amount will be enough to get you started, but without overtaxing yourself.
- If you are looking for images on the Internet, save them to your chosen storage drive as you find them.
- If you're looking in a book, catalog, or magazine, you can tag images with sticky notepads or scraps of paper.
Step 4. Save the images
You should save the images online as you find them. If you haven't done it, do it now. If you're leafing through books, catalogs and magazines, remove the pages and place them in your briefcase.
If you don't want to spoil the book, catalog or magazine, scan the images or make copies
Step 5. Organize the images
Look at them and see what the similarities, patterns or differences are. Focus on the theme, color, shape, material, texture, mood, etc. Sort the images according to the similarities you find.
If you find a recurring theme that isn't on your keyword list, consider adding it to the list and searching for it
Step 6. Select the images
Look at the images one more time, sort out the ones that don't relate to your theme or that don't quite match when compared to other images. Keep the ones that match the best. The goal is to select the best possible images for the panel, so don't be afraid to be picky!
Don't throw the other images away. As you organize your dashboard, you may find that they also match the theme
Step 7. Trim the images
Print digital images on good quality paper. Use scissors to trim them if necessary. For example, if you have a photo of a dress, you can cut it out and remove the background. If the image has text, you can crop it too.
Step 8. Arrange the images on the dashboard
You can use a large canvas, a poster, or a cork canvas. If you want to create your panel on a wall, spread the images on the table first. Put the biggest and most important ones in the middle, and the smallest and least important ones at the ends.
- Consider superimposing the images to give a more interesting effect. Smaller images should be on top of larger images.
- If something doesn't work, throw it into the discard pile.
Step 9. Attach the images to the panel
You can secure them with glue or double-sided tape. If making a wall panel, use pins or tape for mounting. Another option would be to stretch pieces of wool or string on the wall to hang the pictures.
Method 2 of 2: Creating a Digital Dashboard
Step 1. Write a few words
Start with five words that describe your idea or concept. For example, if you want an outdoor themed party, your words might be green, brown, wild animals, string lights, and dots of light.
Step 2. Choose a location to store your ideas
Create a dashboard on a site like Pinterest or similar, or open a folder in your browser bookmarks. You can also use programs like Evernote and Dropbox.
Step 3. Search for images according to your keywords
Some search engines and sites like Pinterest and Google offer image searches. When you click on an image that you really liked, you may find images related to it below, with the same theme or style. This will make your search easier.
Try to save 10 to 20 images. That way, you'll have enough to get to work without getting overwhelmed
Step 4. Save the saved images
How you store them will depend on your storage system. If you're using Pinterest, like or tag the images on your dashboard. If using your browser, save the images with the links directly in the bookmark bar. You can also save them directly into a program such as Dropbox.
Step 5. Organize and analyze the images
Once you've saved enough images, go back and see if there's anything in common. Look for obvious features like colors and less obvious things like specific angles and light. If you see a pattern, consider adding the corresponding keyword to your list.
Step 6. Refine your search
Look at the images one more time. Be very picky at this point. Remove images that don't quite match the theme or don't relate to the other images. Keep only the best-looking, highest-quality, and best-matching images together. How you delete them will depend on where they are saved: website, bookmarks, file, etc.
Do not delete images completely. As you organize your dashboard, maybe you'll step back and find that they can match your theme
Step 7. Mount the images on a digital canvas
If you've already saved your images to a digital dashboard, such as Pinterest or Polyvore, then you're all set! Alternatively, you can create a website for your dashboard using Google Sites, Blogger, Tumblr, etc. and insert your images there. Another alternative is to open a blank canvas in an image editing program and paste all your images into the document.
- If you use Photoshop or similar, paste the images on different layers to moderately move them as needed.
- If you saved the images on your computer, take the opportunity to edit them first.
- If one image doesn't match very well with the others, delete it.
- Need more images? Go to the discard pile. Maybe some of them work!
Tips
- Look for panels to get ideas and get inspired.
- Sometimes it's enough to just start with a simple theme or idea.
- Look at other panels that have to do with your theme.
- Don't be afraid to change your keywords, especially if the related images don't match very well.
- You can print digital panels too.