Scrapbook Basic Page Design

Layout design is similar to taking a photograph. It’s about creating a piece of art that is pleasing to the eye. You will naturally include in your page the basics (basics design hub) into your design. Then you will meld them with color, placement and balance.

Color is important because you want to have visual eye candy to draw people in. It is the make or break as to whether you photo(s) will pop off that page. After all, photos are the number one draw in any layout (next to the journaling, of course (journaling hub). Instinctively, by just laying the photo against different colors, will help in your decision on what will enhance your photo and story.

I have found that using solid color cardstock to helps me in determining the direction my page will take. It’s as simple as laying your photo against different color cardstock to see how it will stand out. Color also enhances or sets the mood of your page that will also draw people in. Once I establish the color, I can go in three directions:

• Using the cardstock as a mat for the photo (which is basically a “frame” around your photo) or
• Using the cardstock as a base for the layout, or
• Using the cardstock as a jumping off point to pull in patterned paper that will enhance.

You can also reverse the above, and do the same with patterned paper as a base.

There is a rule of thumb in color in using those colors in certain proportions; background color=gallon, supporting color=quart, accent color=pint.

Once you know where to jump color-wise and paper wise, its time to determine the design. The design consists of where you will put your elements of: photo(s), journaling, title and embellishments. Design involves symmetry, asymmetry and balance.

• Symmetry - is balance of elements on a page. Each side is a mirror image of the other in order and balance.
• Asymmetry - does not have order and balance on the page.
• Balance - is like a scale where when you equal weight on each side.

All of them rules were made to be broken.

Then there is the rule of threes (also in photography). Take a piece of paper and fold it into 3 parts length wise, open it and fold into 3’s width wise. Wherever you have and intersection is where your eye will be drawn to. You want to have your “focal point” on one of those intersections.

Focal point - is the center or interest/activity that is happening in a work of art.

You also want to draw a reader’s eyes around the page, because you want them to SEE EVERYTHING. This happens by using all the above and using a “visual triangle”. And this you will do naturally (or so it seems to me). A visual triangle can be done with color, shapes or embellishments. It can draw you straight to the photo, the title or journaling. The focal point is determined by the placement of the color, shapes or embellishments and what you want to highlight in the telling of your story.

Embellishments need to enhance your story and need to included into your layout by being “anchored” or “grounded”. You can do that by matting them, including them in your title or journaling, or attaching them to your photos. You don’t want to scatter them around randomly because it confuses the reader and takes the eyes away from your focal point. It’s what results in what scrappers term as “sticker sneeze”. We all have been guilty of that.

To recap:

• Choose your photo(s)
• Pick out flattering cardstock/patterned paper for your base
• Begin laying out your photos on your base
• Determine if you want to mat your photo(s)
• Add your journaling (which can be done on its own mat or directly on the base).
• Add your title.

Add your embellishments.

Move everything around until you are totally satisfied with how its laid out. And then adhere everything down.

TIP: There is a product called “un-Du” and it will become your BFF. No matter what you adhere, paste or stuck on, use this product and it will temporarily negate the glue for you to lift the offending piece off your layout with no damage. You can also use it on pictures stuck in those magnetic albums and it will not damage your photos.

As you can see the main design elements are marked and form a triangle. This tucks the photo in as the focal point and draws your eyes through the page over the various elements. Notice how the tag is anchored to the photo and the flower is anchored to both. The dynamo tag and flower is also anchored to the photo and the title is anchored on the photo mat.

The layout titled "Faith" shows what a symmetrical page looks like. Even though there is a large element on the left, the 2 smaller ones balance it out because they equal the same size. Also the title at the top corresponds with the journaling on the bottom, and the flowers move your eyes around the page.

Change is asymmetrical because basically it is not balanced. Even though there is no balance, the title in the heart can take your eye to the left with the little tab and the heart on the bottom of the heart provides your triangle. Your eye can also follow the heart down and to the right for the journaling which is sort of in the shape of a V.

Un du can be purchased at any scrap store and should be in your arsenal of must haves.