A mood board is a visual tool used in the initial stages of a project to gather and organise ideas, themes, colours, textures, and other visual elements that will inform the overall design and direction of the project. They are commonly used in the fields of design, fashion, and marketing to visually communicate a desired aesthetic or mood.

Mood boards help to establish a clear direction and vision for a project, providing a visual reference point for all team members to work from. They can help to ensure that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and working towards a cohesive design concept.

Mood boards are also often used as a way to communicate with people, allowing them to see and understand the vision for the project before it is fully realised. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is aligned on the goals and objectives of the project.

Overall, mood boards are used as a planning document to visually communicate ideas, themes, and concepts in a clear and concise manner, helping to guide the design process and ensure a successful outcome for the project.

Mind maps are visual representations of information and ideas that help organise thoughts, brainstorm solutions, and plan tasks or projects. They typically start with a central idea or topic in the centre of the map, with branches radiating outwards to connect related ideas, subtopics, and key points. 

Mind maps are used as planning documents because they provide a clear and structured way to capture and organise ideas, making it easier to see connections between concepts and identify patterns. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as outlining a project, creating a to-do list, planning a presentation, or organising research notes. 

One of the key benefits of using mind maps as a planning tool is that they engage both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, allowing for better retention of information and enhancing creativity. Additionally, mind maps can be easily customised and expanded, making them a flexible tool for adapting to changing needs and priorities. 

Overall, mind maps are a valuable planning document because they help improve productivity, foster creativity, and provide a visual framework for organising and prioritising tasks and ideas.

Storyboards are visual representations of a story or project, typically presented in a series of illustrations or images arranged in sequence. They are commonly used in various creative industries such as film, advertising, animation, and video game production as a planning tool to visualise the flow of scenes and sequences before they are actually produced.

Storyboards serve as a guide for stakeholders, including directors, designers, writers, and producers, to communicate their vision and ideas effectively. By mapping out key moments, visual details, camera angles, dialogue, and transitions, storyboards help to streamline the creative process, ensure consistency, and save time and resources in the production phase.

In addition, storyboards can also help with troubleshooting potential issues and making necessary revisions before the final product is created. They provide a visual reference that can be easily shared and reviewed by collaborators to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.

Overall, storyboards are a valuable planning document that helps to bring a project to life by visually mapping out the storyline, pacing, and overall vision, making them an essential tool in the creative process for visual storytelling.

Wireframes are a visual representation of a webpage or app layout that outline the key elements, features, and functionalities of the final product. They are essentially a blueprint or sketch that helps designers and developers plan and organise the structure and content of a website or app before moving on to the actual design and development stages.

Wireframes are used as a planning document because they provide a clear and detailed roadmap for the project, allowing stakeholders to visualise and communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements effectively. They help in identifying potential issues, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring that everyone involved in the project is on the same page.

Additionally, wireframes help in streamlining the design process by highlighting the hierarchy of information, the placement of elements, and the overall user flow. They save time and effort during the development phase by providing a solid foundation and direction for the project.

Overall, wireframes are an essential tool in the design and development process, helping teams create functional and user-friendly digital products that meet the needs and expectations of their target audience.