Vision Board
Picture the Life You Want to Live

Lesson Summary

A vision board is a creative way to explore what matters most to you. It’s a personal collage made with images and words that reflect your dreams, values, and goals. By placing your vision board somewhere you can see it often, it becomes a gentle daily reminder of what you’re moving toward.

This project isn’t just about cutting and gluing—it’s about learning who you are and how to express that visually. Along the way, you’ll also learn the basics of graphic design, like layout, alignment, and typography.

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will:

Reflect on what truly matters to them—beyond what others expect
Create a personal vision board that communicates their goals and values
Practice using design principles like layout, alignment, and typography

What is a Vision Board?

A vision board is a collage that visually represents your hopes for the future. It can include pictures, words, symbols, and drawings. It’s not just about what you want to own, but also the kind of life you want to live and the kind of person you want to become.

Vision boards can help you:

Get clear on what really matters to you
Stay focused and motivated
Turn abstract dreams into something you can see and feel

Discussion

What is the purpose of a vision board?
To visually represent personal goals and serve as daily motivation.
Describe one way a vision board can motivate someone.
It provides a daily reminder of what they’re working toward.
Why might an artist use the rule of thirds in a design?
To create balance and draw the viewer’s eye to key areas.

Before We Begin: A Reflection Conversation

Sometimes we follow what others tell us—parents, teachers, or society—without asking what we truly want. But to live with meaning, we have to slow down, reflect, and listen to ourselves.

Let’s ask ourselves a few honest questions:

What do I want from life—not what others want for me?
What do I value most: relationships, creativity, purpose, comfort, success?
What kind of work or lifestyle would make me feel fulfilled?
Who do I admire, and why? What qualities do they have that I want to develop in myself?
What kind of life would I feel proud to live?

These questions don’t need final answers—just honest beginnings.

Journaling Prompts for Vision Board Reflection

What do I want my life to feel like?
(Not just what you want to have or do—but how you want to feel each day.)
What makes me feel alive or inspired?
(Moments, places, people, or experiences that energize you.)
What kind of person do I want to become?
(Think about your character, your values, and how you treat others.)
When I imagine a happy future, what do I see?
(Describe the setting, people, work, daily routine—anything that comes to mind.)
Who inspires me—and what do I admire about them?
(Role models, characters, family members, creators. What qualities do you see in them that you’d like to grow in yourself?)
If I could only keep five values or goals on my vision board, what would they be—and why?
(This helps with clarity and prioritization.)
What am I ready to let go of to make space for what matters most?
(Old habits, limiting beliefs, distractions, or outside expectations.)

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a technique used by designers to find focal points. It involves a grid of three rows and columns, and the focal points are where the lines intersect. Designers follow this guide to position important elements in their designs.

Materials Needed

Large project sketchbook or paper
Scissors and glue
Markers or pens
Old magazines, printed photos, or image cutouts
A portrait photo of yourself (optional)
Optional: Your own drawings or small painted illustrations

Process: Creating Your Vision Board

Search for Images
After our reflection, look through magazines or photos to find images that represent your values, dreams, or lifestyle. Think beyond surface-level wants—choose things that feel meaningful.
Typography & Words
Design your name and add words or phrases that inspire you. These can come from magazine cutouts or be hand-drawn in your own style.
Layout & Design
Arrange your images and text on the page. Use the rule of thirds to create balance and focus. Think like a designer—how does it feel to look at your board?
Glue It Down
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue the pieces into place.

Add Drawings
If there’s something you can’t find in a magazine, draw it! Your own artwork can make the board even more personal.

A Helpful Limitation

You probably won’t be able to fit everything on your vision board—and that’s a good thing. It challenges you to focus on what truly matters. What are your top priorities? What can you let go of for now?

Vision Board Process

Key Terms to Know

Collage: Art made by combining cut-out images, text, or materials on a surface

Typography: The art of arranging letters and text in a visually appealing way

Layout: How images and text are arranged on a page

Alignment: How design elements line up—left, center, right, etc.

Rule of Thirds: A design technique that helps place important elements in strong positions

Grid: A system of intersecting lines used to organize space in design

Closing Thought

Your vision board is not a fixed plan—it’s a mirror of what matters to you right now. Life may shift, and your dreams may grow or change, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you’re learning to listen to yourself, reflect deeply, and express your path through visual storytelling.