Fresh ideas for scrapbook page design come easily when you’ve got: 1) a facility with the basics of page design, and 2) an understanding of what role the essential parts of a scrapbook page can play.
design principles
We’ve spent the last 6 lessons looking at the design principles of:
These are the roots for making scrapbook pages. When you’ve got this “root” knowledge in your mind (or ready to reference), you’ll be able to combine all the page parts that go into a scrapbook page efficiently and beautifully.
page parts
The key parts of a scrapbook page are: photos, journaling, title, embellishments, canvas.
Not every page has every part—but most pages have most parts.
Approach each new scrapbook page by 1) taking inventory of how these parts will need to be incorporated, and 2) considering how best to combine them given the six basic design principles we’ve covered.
Take a look at the layout below and the labeled page parts. Can you now go through and find the design principles at work – and as you find them, note which page parts are involved. For example, emphasis is incorporated with a focal point photo; alignments exist across multiple page parts with the left edge of the title block, journaling, and supporting photo all lined up. What else do you see? Repetitions? Contrasts?
Read on for an approach to making scrapbook pages that begins with thinking about page parts and how to include them using design principles. NOTE: In the next four lessons this process will be expanded, and you’ll get lots more information about all of the page parts.
1. Ask: What’s the point of the page? What is its purpose?
Knowing the answer to this will drive your page-parts choices.
There’s a good chance your purpose in creating any page will be one of the following:
- for your creative expression.
- to provide an opportunity to experiment and/or play with product and/or design.
- to explore a topic and better understand it.
- to create a record of a something that happened (anything from a brief moment to a big event).
- to express how you feel about a specific subject and/or person.
- to convey a message to whoever you plan to share this page with.
- . . . or it may be something else . . . just figure that out and hold it in your mind as you move forward.
My purpose with “New Spot” was to play with the design principle of balance and to make something really pretty to present this moment that I was primarily recording for myself.
This page needed to hold LOTS of photos and record an outing we made with extended family to a farm. It’s part of an album from a week-long visit and I wanted to get a sense of the place and the animals onto a one-page layout.
2. Based upon the answer to #1, consider the role of photos and journaling.
You’ll begin by asking questions that give you an idea of how much space photos and journaling will require. (This is an outline of the process. In the next four lessons, we will talk in more detail about the design implications of each page part and the choices you make.)
ask yourself about photos:
- what PHOTOS do you have
- which do you want to include?
- which do you need to include to achieve the purpose of your page from step #1.
These articles cover some of the basics of making photo selections and organizing photos:
ask yourself about journaling:
- how much journaling will this story require?
- how much space (relative to other parts) will I need for the journaling?
These articles will give you ideas about the kinds of options there are for rendering journaling and the kinds of considerations to keep in mind:
On this page, two photos would probably have sufficed, but I loved all of these and how together they conveyed that this went on for a while. I also loved how they showed the interaction between my son and husband. Also, my personal tendency is to use multiple photos. I needed space for more than just basic descriptive journaling—but not tons of space. By using a linear/blocked design I was able to get everything on the page.
3. Based upon the answers to #1 and #2, consider the role of title, embellishments, and canvas WHILE keeping design principles in mind.
Everything becomes more intertwined. You’ll start to think about these page parts – and how you should choose for good design. You’ll circle around, revisiting these pieces in your mind – not for a long time, but as you begin moving things around on the page. It will be a bit of an iterative process.
consider title:
- do you need a title?
- would you like to use a clever title or would a simple label work?
- how much space does it seem you have for your title given the photo and journaling requirements?
- would you like your title to be a strong part of the design?
- would you like to use it to create flow?
Here are two articles to get you thinking about the many aspects there are to choosing and rendering a page title:
consider canvas:
Given the amount of space it appears your photos, journaling and title will need, what kind of a design will work well? For example, will you need to fill the entire page or could you create a design with generous white space.
Given your page purpose what kind of tone do you want to set. A linear or blocked design will evoke different feelings than that of a freestyle design with flourishes and layers and unusually-shaped white space.
On “I Am a Schlepper,” the title is probably the most important page part. It sets a fun, confessional tone and, along with the photo, cues the viewer to the topic. One revealing photo is all that’s needed and the result is lots of white space and a layered approach to the canvas. A cute bird and a row of aligned (but different) buttons are the embellishments.
consider embellishments:
As you start to understand how things are coming together, think about the tone you want to set, and, thus, the type and number of embellishments to include. Think about meaning and what kinds of motifs support your meaning. Think about all of the design principles and how embellishments can help you achieve strong use of them.
Check out these articles to get an idea of just a few of the things to keep in mind when embellishing pages.
4. Start moving things around on the page, working to integrate all of the parts using design principles and seeking a page with unity.
This is a roadmap of how we’ll proceed with the 5 page parts over the final four lessons of the class. I’ve given you some reading links for each page part, but–don’t worry!—I’ll be addressing each of them in greater detail beginning with the very next lesson—which you’ll receive in a few days.
Is this pace to slow for you? Or are you wanting an easily printable version of all 12 lessons? A 98-page pdf of these lessons (great for reading on your screen or e-reader and printing) is a bonus gift for all who register for Masterful Scrapbook Design which is $10/month and can be cancelled at any time.
Did you find this page via Twitter or a link from a friend? This lesson is the eighth in a 12-part e-class called “Where Scrapbooking Ideas Come From”. Click here to start receiving all of the lessons—it’s free! Of course, if it’s not for you, you can unsubscribe with just a couple of clicks.
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Debbie these lessons are great! As I’m reading through the lessons I’m getting lots of great ideas. I love your schlepper page.
thanks, Marcie! – are you a fellow schlepper? ;)
Debbie, I just wanted tell you how much I have been enjoying these lessons, and appreciate the time and effort you put into them! I have learned so much from you and am truly grateful. THANK YOU!!
By the way, I love the “New Spot” layout – very contemporary design – way cool! xoxo
Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! So glad you’re following the class.
These lessons are just amazing. All of them. Your talent shines through the pages you use as examples. Beautiful!
But so intimidating for me.
Thanksfor all you share!
this lesson was incredibly helpful, plus all the links to journaling, title and embellishments ideas! thank you so much for all the great info!!!
Loving these lessons THANK YOU!!!!
BTW – the link for the Choosing Embellishments (last link for this lesson) doesn’t seem to work…?
I sorry I am running late with my comments but my earphones that came with my speaking software broke.
I am definitely enjoying each lesson. This particular lesson, gave me the opportunity to apply the various concepts to your photos. Thanks for leaving the lessons available for review.
Another fantastic lesson, as we build wonderful layers of scrapbooking knowledge. Thanks again for the diversity displayed within each lo.
Excellent material