Moodboard

You might say

Here are my references: the three I like set the feel, the crossed-out one is what to avoid. Style the site this way.

A moodboard collects reference images, colors, and keywords on one board—align on "what feeling" before building the page."Make it premium" or "give it breathing room" rarely means the same thing to you and the AI. Collect five or six screenshots you like, one or two you dislike, and the main color, then send the collage—working from pictures lands far closer than adjectives. Fixing a wrong direction at the collage stage means swapping a reference; after the page is built, it means redoing the work.

What goes on a moodboard

Ref 1quiet · airy✓

Ref 2papery · off-white✓

Ref 3thin lines · less is more✓

Avoidgradients · big radius✗

Main color#1e40d8

Pictures beat adjectives: likes set direction, the ✗ draws the boundaryTell the AI: 'capture the mood, don't copy the layout.'

Three things to collect

Liked references: Three to five screenshots of pages or posters you like. Any source works—competitors or other industries—so long as the "feeling" is right.

Disliked counter-examples: Include one clearly wrong direction and mark it. AIs are great imitators; exclusions help more than adjectives.

Main color and keywords: Circle the color to use and write two or three mood words ("quiet," "paper-like"). Images set the direction; words refine it.

Quick checkChoose the best answer

The AI's site style keeps missing what you want after four rounds. Which move most likely aligns it in one shot?

Paste three screenshots you like plus one you dislike, and send them togetherKeep describing in words: "more premium, more minimal"Have the AI generate five random palettes and pick a good one

You can say this to an AI Agent

Follow the references I sent: the three liked ones set the feel, avoid the crossed-out one, and use the main color I circled. Show me a hero screenshot before continuing.

Learn next

1Minimalism→2Design Token→3Wireframe→