Look Book
Visual presentation conveying a project intended aesthetic and mood.
Definition
A look book is a visual presentation that conveys a project's intended aesthetic, mood, and visual style. It includes reference images, color palettes, production design concepts, and visual comparisons that communicate what the finished project will look and feel like.
Look books help align creative vision across stakeholders and serve as pitching tools for financing. They're particularly important when a project's visual approach is distinctive or unconventional.
Why It Matters
Visual storytelling begins before shooting starts. Look books ensure everyone shares the same creative vision and help sell that vision to decision-makers.
For directors and designers, look books translate abstract concepts into concrete references.
Examples in Practice
A look book establishes a desaturated, documentary-like visual approach through carefully selected reference films and photographs.
Investors respond positively to the look book's sophisticated presentation, helping close financing.
Department heads use the look book as a reference point for production design, costume, and cinematography decisions.