Are mood boards the appropriate tool for creating a design concept for experimental theatre in the digital age?

Abstract

This study will determine whether or not mood boards are an appropriate tool for the creation of design concepts within experimental theatre in the digital age. Mood boards will be created for three plays to assist in determining the outcome of this research question. I will focus on how the digital age has influenced and impacted on the work of designers, their collaboration with others as well as how it has enhanced design concepts. Through practical research I have completed a portfolio of mood boards for the three plays I have looked at. The plays are; Saved by Edward Bond (Bond 1999), Road by Jim Cartwright (Cartwright 1989) and Pornography by Simon Stephens (Stephens 2008) by studying these plays and conducting visual research I have illustrated how important mood boards are to a scenographer. As part of the research process I have read a variety of texts, which have assisted me with my deliberations and helped me to finalise my conclusions. By completing this research I have come to the conclusion that mood boards are an appropriate tool for creating a design concept for experimental theatre in the digital age. They enable designers to start the creative process when designing a set and allow their ideas to be put on paper. For a set design to be created all tools are just as important. However the most crucial tool for any designer to have is the ability to communicate their ideas with the director and production team.