Turn Pinterest Boards into a Branding System (Not Just Moodboards)
One of the most interesting branding techniques I’ve come across is the 240-minute branding framework by Daniil Sukhovskoy. It’s a completely different mindset compared to the dual moodboard approach we’ve covered before, but it’s still rooted in using Pinterest as a structured moodboard system not just a mess of inspiration images.
The Problem
Designers and Design teams often hit a wall, getting trapped in cycles of endless revisions, unclear feedback and perfectionism that cause delays. To solve this, Daniil suggests structuring the creative process. The goal isn't to limit exploration, but to guide it with a clear framework, a set schedule and defined guardrails.
Why You Need a Pinterest Moodboard System
Instead of chasing fresh ideas every time, he suggests building a database of visual principles. Each Pinterest board becomes a clear visual idea. His examples include “Filling” and “Air,” but you could easily define your own—“Dense,” “Structured Grid,” “Overlapping Layers,” etc.
Each folder is focused. No random pins. No chaotic moodboards. Just references that follow one distinct visual logic. It’s precise. It’s useful.
That’s where Unpinned fits in. Manually collecting and organizing these boards would be a nightmare—but Unpinned lets you bulk-download Pinterest boards, organize by principle, and build your own visual reference system without losing hours to clicking and copy-pasting.
And don’t get intimidated. You’re not building a perfect system. Just start with boards that match the tone or direction of your brand or project. This works even if your system is a bit messy. Curation is more important than ever in the age of AI, and tools like Unpinned give you a faster, cleaner way to do it.
Don’t spend too much time crafting your boards, because the real value comes when you combine them and make decisions with them.
From Pinterest Boards to Decisions with a Design Matrix
Now we are entering the design state with the design matrix.
It’s a simple tool for combining design principles. You map them along two axes:
Top row = Visual principles
Side column = Either more principles or project parameters (like tone, audience, format)
This forces you to move from vague intentions like “I want it to be fresh” to structured combinations like “What happens when I combine Air + Guide?”. That’s the guardrail we have talked about before. Here is how you could use it:
Make it yours with your brand traits (e.g., colorful vs. monochrome, playful vs. serious).
Choose principles from your Pinterest boards like “Overlapping,” “Static,” “Fill,” etc.
Place them in the matrix to explore combinations (e.g. “Modular + Friendly”).
Sketch fast tests of those pairings don’t overthink, just explore.
Choose a direction that works practically, strategically, and visually.
Move forward no spiraling unless something clearly breaks.
This isn’t a generator. It’s not here to give you the “right” answer. It’s a system to explore visual directions with intent. And the more you use it, the faster and clearer your decisions get.
Conclusion
Stop letting Pinterest be a dumping ground for half-baked ideas. Turn it into a modular moodboard system you can actually build from. Use Unpinned to collect and organize your boards fast. Then plug them into a design matrix and get to work.
Design doesn’t have to be chaotic. Structure helps you move faster with more clarity, less guesswork, and better results.