A vision board is a powerful visualization tool that helps you stay focused on your dreams and goals. I used to rely on a traditional vision board made with magazine clippings glued to a bristol board for manifesting, but I converted to digital after I started using a digital planner in the Goodnotes app. In the back pages of my planner, I pasted a few images. Even though I rarely glanced at them, one major goal manifested exactly as pictured later that year. That’s when I realized that a digital vision board is just as effective, so I made one with Photoshop and saved it as my desktop wallpaper and screensaver.

Traditional vision boards can be bulky, clash with decor, and be hard to place—especially if you're short on space. Now I prefer digital vision boards since I use my desktop computer daily and naturally see the vision board more often. It’s an easy and simple way to keep my intentions front and center.

In this post, I’ll walk you through creating your own digital vision board and how to set it up as your wallpaper or screensaver.

What is a Digital Vision Board?

A digital vision board is a collection of images, words, and other visual elements that represent your personal goals and dreams. Unlike a physical board, a digital one can be easily updated and customized. By making it your desktop wallpaper and screensaver (I recommend using the same image for both), you can constantly be exposed to motivational visuals that keep you focused.

Benefits of a Digital Vision Board:

• Easy to create and update.
• Access anytime on your computer or mobile devices.
• Helps you stay focused on your goals every time you use your device.
• Customizable with endless digital resources.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Digital Vision Board

1. Define Your Goals and Intentions

Before you start, clarify what you want your digital vision board to represent. Ask yourself:

• What are my personal, career, or financial goals?
• What lifestyle changes or habits do I want to embrace?
• What are the things that make me happy or inspire me?

Having a clear idea will help you gather visuals and affirmations that resonate with your aspirations.

2. Gather Visual Inspiration

Next, collect images and quotes that align with your vision. You can search for images from:

• Pinterest: A treasure trove for inspiring visuals.
• Unsplash or Pexels: Free high-quality stock images.
• Google Images: Use keyword searches to find specific imagery.
• Canva: You can find ready-made templates or search for motivational graphics.

Look for pictures, quotes, and even symbols that evoke your desired outcomes. Keep these saved in a folder so they’re easy to access when you start designing.

3. Choose a Design Tool

There are several easy-to-use tools that will help you assemble your vision board:

• Canva (Free & Paid versions): Perfect for beginners, it offers pre-designed templates, fonts, and graphics. Note that creating custom-size files requires the paid version, although Canva often has free trials for new users.
• PicMonkey: Another simple design tool with a variety of layouts.
• Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator (for advanced users): Allows more creative control. Since I have a Photoshop subscription for work, this is what I use.
• Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides: These are free alternatives for creating vision boards with drag-and-drop ease.

4. Design Your Vision Board

Start by opening your chosen design tool and selecting a canvas size that matches your screen resolution. You can check your desktop resolution by going to your computer’s display settings. Common resolutions include:

• 1920x1080 (HD)
• 2560x1440 (QHD)
• 3840x2160 (4K UHD)

Set the dimensions to match your screen's resolution on the design tool of your choice in pixels:

• For 1920x1080 (HD): Enter 1920 for width and 1080 for height.
• For 2560x1440 (QHD): Enter 2560 for width and 1440 for height.
• For 3840x2160 (4K UHD): Enter 3840 for width and 2160 for height.

You'll have a blank canvas at the correct size. If there's an option, make sure the resolution is set to 72 pixels per inch (ppi) for screen use. Choose RGB color mode (the standard for digital screens).

Arrange your visuals on the canvas in a way that feels meaningful to you. Some tips:

• Place key goals in the center.
• Use contrasting colors for text to ensure readability.
• Organize by theme (e.g., career in one section, personal growth in another).

You want your vision board to be both inspirational and visually appealing. Don’t overcrowd the design; give each element room to stand out.

5. Save Your Vision Board

Once you're happy with your design, save it as a high-resolution JPEG or PNG. Save the original file too, for example PSD for Photoshop, so you can edit to remove photos once goals have manifested and add new images.

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Setting Your Digital Vision Board as a Desktop or Laptop Wallpaper

Now that your vision board is complete, follow these steps to set it as your wallpaper:

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences, then go to Desktop & Screen Saver.
2. Click the Desktop tab and select the + button to add a new image.
3. Choose your vision board image from your saved location.

On Windows:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Personalize.
2. Under Background, select Picture.
3. Click Browse to locate your vision board image, then click Choose Picture.

Your vision board will now appear as your desktop wallpaper, giving you a daily boost of inspiration.

Setting Your Digital Vision Board as a Screensaver

In addition to your wallpaper, you can set your vision board as a screensaver. Here’s how:

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences and select Desktop & Screen Saver.
2. Click the Screen Saver tab.
3. Select Choose Folder and navigate to the folder where you saved your vision board.
4. You can select one image or a slideshow of multiple images.

On Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen.
2. Scroll down and click on Screen saver settings.
3. From the list, select Photos.
4. Click Settings, then Browse to find the folder with your vision board. You can set a single image or a folder of images if you want a rotating screensaver.

Your vision board will now display when your screensaver activates.

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Bonus Tip: Create a Digital Vision Board for Your Phone

If you’re looking for a daily reminder of your goals while on the go, why not create a digital vision board for your phone’s lock screen or home screen? Like your computer, your phone’s screen is a prime spot for visual motivation.

How to Make a Vision Board for Your Phone

1. Define Your Focus: Since your phone’s screen is smaller, you’ll want to focus on one or two major goals. A great example is setting a travel destination you’re working toward as a visual cue, like a beach or cityscape you dream of visiting.
2. Create a Simple Design: You can use apps like Canva, PicsArt, or even your phone’s photo editing tool to design a vision board. Keep it simple by focusing on one strong image (e.g., the place you want to travel to), or arrange a few small images along with a motivational quote or affirmation.
3. Set It as Your Lock Screen:

• On an iPhone: Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper, then select your vision board image and set it as Lock Screen or Home Screen.
• On an Android: Open your Gallery, select your vision board image, tap More (three dots), then choose Set as wallpaper and select Lock Screen or Home Screen.

This phone-friendly vision board method adds another layer to keeping your dreams in sight, literally, wherever you go.

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