Today marks the start of a new blog feature called "Make a Page Monday." The goal of this feature? To share a recent page that I made each Monday, which is why I'm calling it "Make a Page Monday." I know. The way my mind works sometimes is truly dazzling.
To avoid confusion, it doesn't mean I made it today and then quickly wrote a blog post. If that were the case, I would call it, "I just made a page this morning and am sharing it with you immediately on my blog, and it's Monday," but somehow that's just not as catchy.
But I digress.
I will feature both digital and hybrid pages, both 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12. Who knows, I may even throw in a 6 x 6 every now and then, but now I'm just talkin' crazy.
More than a step-by-step instruction post—although some of my Make a Page Monday posts will included steps—this feature is simply meant to share a page, a few design tips and a downloadable sketch to help you in your own scrapbooking endeavors. Think of it as Design Do-Overs, without the Do-Over.
It's also to help me get into a more regular scrapbook groove and to share some of my latest designs and products over at Designer Digitals.
As with all of my blog features, I have the best of intentions. There will likely be many a Monday that come and go without a page, but that, gentle readers, is only because on occasion, I start out on fire with an idea, only to douse myself a few weeks later. Here's to a fine idea on this Monday. The only one we know for sure that we have at this very moment! Shall we begin?
(click on the layout image to see a larger version in a new window)
SIZE & MODE: A 12 x 12 digital layout.
THE STORY BEHIND THE PAGE: Aidan had gotten all dolled up to go to a high school football game and was feeling uber adorable, so she wanted me to take some shots of her out on our front porch. Show me a scrapbooking Mom who's going to turn down an offer like that and I'll show you some land I want to sell in Florida. You feelin' me? I took about 15 shots, and this was one of my favorites. I wanted to take this simple snapshot of my girl at 14 and make a page using one of my newest templates, which was lifted from this page that I made featuring my awesome nephew Luke back in 2006:
I would like to take a minute to remind you what I looked like at 14:
Or was it 15? Oh, ages schmages. I'm just always blown away that my daughter looks so put together and fashionable all the time. My excuse? It was that damned 1980. Horrible year for photos and purple angora sweaters.
Let's move onto the real gist of this new feature, the design discussion of the layout.
How much could possibly be going on with a simple page containing only one photo? Well I'm glad you asked!
1. The principle of repetition: when you repeat elements on a page, you re-inforce the overall cohesion of the design. On this design, I have repeated shapes (the squares containing the patterned paper), the sizes of those squares, the papers themselves, and on the layout featuring Aidan, I've repeated digital stitching and outlined letters. Color on the patterns themselves is also repeated. Repeat after me: repetition is good.
2. The principle of symmetry in balance: if you slice this page down the middle, what you have on the left side you have repeated on the right, in terms of the space that is occupied. This type of balance is called symmetry. Symmetrical pages feel very solid, secure and comfortably predictable. Predictability in design is not a negtive thing at all. We crave visual solidity. It is comforting and safe to our brains. Further, when you know you want to create something symmetrical, it can help you in the design process because you know that both sides of your design will need to be equal. On the second page featuring my nephew, the two chipboard titles are actually an example of reflected and rotated symmetry, because they are not directly across from each other, but rather, flipped and rotated. Still, the effect of symmetry remains.
3. The principle of unity: the way the photos and the patterned papers are placed, all spatially connected to each other via their proximity, creates a larger piece of visual content that feels cohesive and unified. Strong design will often exhibit this sense of one-ness in the overall piece.
4. The use of space: notice the equal amounts of space in and around the pictures and the squares of patterned paper. This space feels purposeful and it serves to hold the elements together. Also, notice the framing space around the photos and papers. The space you preserve on the edges of any design can also serve to hold the design together. Always pay attention to how you are using space on any layout.
Here is a basic sketch you can download to keep in your scrapbooking files. The sketches are on 8.5 x 11 paper for easy printing.
I'm always happy to see what you create with any of my products, or with any of these sketches. Never hesitate to email me links to your own blogs, or simply to send me a sample of your page. You can reach me at czdesign@comcast.net.
(the supplies listed are for the page above featuring Aidan)
Digital Template—Cathy Zielske's Layered Template No. 68
Digital Cardstock—Just Linens No. 1 by Michelle Martin
Digital Patterned Paper—Siri Paper Pack by Michelle Martin
Outlined Number—Outline Days, Months, Years and Numbers Value Pack by Ali Edwards
Stitching frame—Stitched by Anna No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
Font—Avenir
Questions about today's post? Leave them in the comments and I'll do my best to answer.
