AI-Assisted Moodboard: A Creative Exploration
The Vision
In a world where ideas move faster than ever, the creative process is evolving. This project set out to explore how artificial intelligence can become a co-creator in the early stages of visual storytelling. The result is a dynamic, AI-assisted moodboard—an intelligent tool designed to inspire, suggest, and evolve with the user.
How It Works
At its core, the moodboard functions like a digital sketchbook, but with a twist: it listens, learns, and responds. Instead of manually searching for reference images, users can interact with a chatbot that understands their intent and aesthetic direction. Based on this dialogue and previously added images, the system suggests new visuals, helping users build a cohesive and expressive moodboard in real time.
The Technology Behind the Magic
The experience is powered by a combination of cutting-edge AI models. A large language model, Vicuna 1.5, serves as the conversational brain, guiding users through their creative journey. It understands context, remembers previous inputs, and even speaks Dutch—making it accessible and intuitive.
Meanwhile, Stable Diffusion 1.5 brings visual imagination to life, generating custom images from text prompts or transforming existing visuals into new interpretations. This model was chosen for its balance of quality, speed, and flexibility, allowing for rapid iteration without compromising artistic control.
To further enhance the experience, a visual similarity engine based on ResNet-50 and a vector database (Milvus) allows users to find related images by simply uploading one. This content-based image retrieval system helps uncover visual connections that might otherwise go unnoticed, sparking new directions and ideas.
System Architecture
The architecture behind the scenes is modular and robust. A Java backend orchestrates communication between the chatbot, image generation, and image search APIs. A Python backend handles the chatbot logic, while the frontend—built with Angular and styled using Tailwind CSS—offers a clean, modern interface for users to interact with the system.
A Creative Companion, Not a Replacement
But this project is more than just a technical achievement. It’s a reflection on how AI can support, rather than replace, human creativity. The moodboard doesn’t dictate—it collaborates. It doesn’t generate ideas in a vacuum—it builds on your vision. Whether you’re designing a brand, crafting a narrative, or exploring a visual identity, this tool becomes a springboard for imagination.
Ethics and Privacy
Throughout development, the team remained mindful of ethical considerations. While the system stores user-uploaded images and chat sessions for functionality, no personal data is retained beyond what’s necessary. The chatbot is designed to avoid harmful or inappropriate content, and future versions of the system could incorporate more advanced moderation tools.
Reflections and Learnings
Looking back, the project was a rewarding challenge. It required not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of the creative process. From early brainstorming to final implementation, the team learned how to bridge the gap between code and concept—between logic and inspiration.
This AI-assisted moodboard is just the beginning. It opens the door to a new kind of creative collaboration—one where technology doesn’t just support the process, but actively participates in it.