Miro is a powerful visual collaboration platform that enables teams to brainstorm ideas, plan projects, design products, and more on an infinite online whiteboard. With versatile features like sticky notes, shapes, connectors, and diagrams, Miro makes it easy to visualize concepts and bring ideas to life.
However, creating visually compelling boards in Miro takes some skill. Follow these tips to level up your visuals and take your Miro boards to the next level.
Table of Contents
Use Frames to Organize Content
Frames in Miro act like containers that allow you to group related content together. Using frames is key to keeping your boards organized and visually structured.
Here are some tips for working with frames:
- Create a frame for each main topic or section
- Resize frames so content fits nicely inside
- Change frame colors to categorize different types of content
- Nest frames within frames to show hierarchy
- Add frame labels so viewers understand the purpose of each frame
Pro Tip: Lock frames in place so that content stays neatly grouped when collaborating with others.
Leverage Layout Tools
Miro’s layout tools make it easy to align objects and create organized designs. With just a few clicks, you can make your visuals look clean and professional.
Use the Grid
Turn on the grid to easily line up objects and keep things straight. Adjust the grid settings to change the cell size.
Align and Distribute Objects
Select multiple objects and use the toolbar buttons to align them neatly and distribute them evenly.
Display Object Dimensions
Turn on dimensions to view the exact width and height of objects as you resize them. This helps create consistent, proportionate designs.
Enhance Text Visually
Text is a key visual element on Miro boards. Make your text stand out and convey information clearly with these formatting tips:
Adjust Text Size and Color
- Use larger font sizes (20pt+) for titles and headers
- Make key points 14-18pt size
- Use smaller 10-12pt text for longer bodies of text
- Vary text and background colors to create visual contrast
Embolden Key Terms
- Bold important keywords and phrases to draw attention
- Italicize secondary points for emphasis
Use Lists and Bullet Points
Break up long sections of text with bulleted or numbered lists to aid scanability.
Use Visual Elements Purposefully
Shapes, icons, images, and diagrams are crucial for creating engaging Miro boards. But use them intentionally to enhance communication.
Shapes
- Use shapes to highlight, enclose, or connect related content
- Change shape colors to categorize types of information
- Add borders or shadows for emphasis
Icons
- Insert relevant icons next to topics to aid recognition
- Use a consistent icon set for cohesion
- Size icons appropriately so they don’t compete with text
Images
- Insert images to illustrate concepts and add visual interest
- Crop and resize appropriately
- Add borders and shadows for styling
Diagrams
- Diagram relationships between topics to clarify connections
- Visualize processes and workflows
- Map systems and organizational structures
Create Visual Hierarchy
Use size, color, positioning, and contrast to indicate the relative importance of objects on your board. Guide viewers to focus on the most critical information first.
Size
Use larger text and objects to denote primary topics and smaller elements for details.
Color
Draw attention to key items by using brighter, bolder colors. Use muted colors for secondary information.
Position
Place the most important topics and categories in the top left positioning of frames.
Contrast
Create separation between elements by varying colors, sizes, shapes to differentiate and focus attention.
Curate a Color Palette
Pick 3-5 vibrant accent colors to use across your boards alongside black, gray, and white neutral tones. Reuse this palette to create a cohesive visual style.
Design Responsive Boards
Test your Miro boards at multiple zoom levels to ensure your visual hierarchy and layouts adapt well to different sizes. Content should rearrange itself appropriately as the canvas shrinks or expands.
Create Reusable Board Templates
Once you have board layouts you love, save them as templates to kickstart future boards with great structure and visual design already in place.
Learn By Example
Study example Miro boards to get inspired by creative designs and visual communication best practices. Identify techniques you can apply to your own boards.
By following these tips, you can create stunning Miro boards that effectively communicate and showcase your ideas. Thoughtful visual design takes your Miro collaboration to the next level and leaves a lasting impression.
