The following are 3 tips for creating stunning scrapbook layouts:
Tip one: Create a great focal point.
Tip two: Balance out your pages.
Tip three: Choose colors that compliment photos or make them stand out.
Let’s take a closer look at these three tips for creating stunning scrapbook layouts:
Tip one: Create a great focal point.
In order to create a great focal point you will want to choose a great photo to be your focal point. Usually you want an enlarged, matted, unique, or exceptional photo for a focal point on the page. So, this is where the eye will look first when you open the page. The other photos on the page are meant to support the focal point image. If you do not have one great photo, or if you have several, there are various techniques you can employ, such as mosaics, etc. to make several be the focal point. However, if you can successfully create a focal point image, your layout will be much more pleasing to the eye.
Tip two: Balance out your pages.
You are going to want to balance your photos out with the page they are on. So, while making pre-made pages to insert photos later can work, it often does not give you the same effect as you would if you create a page specifically for a photo. You will want to balance your pages by placing your photo on a one or two page spread. If your photo is large, bright, or really busy, it can feel “heavier” then other photos, so you will want to move it around on the page, and try it in different combinations with your embellishments, etc. and try things out until the page no longer feels heavy, weighted, or lopsided. However, be sure to leave enough room for journaling.
Usually if the photo is super busy, you want a more simple layout to compliment it. If it is a simple photo, you can get away with more embellishments, baubles, textiles, etc. as they do not overwhelm the page. You must be the judge, so try out several different combinations before attaching anything permanently.
Tip three: Choose colors that compliment photos or make them stand out.
Obviously the photos are supposed to be the center of attention on your scrapbook page, and everything else you do to the page is supposed to support them. It is like the star athlete, the other members on the team are important elements, and the star would not be a star without them, but they are meant as a support group, not to share the spotlight. If you follow sports at all you will see how well having two stars seems to work (or should we say not work?). So, when matting your photos and choosing background paper for your pages, as well as when determining any other design additions make sure that they compliment or make the photo stand out. Remember, sometimes less is more. If you have too much color, or too many design additions (like baubles, metallics, etc.) you may overwhelm the page, and the photos will get swallowed up. So, try different combinations out, and make sure that when all is said and done, the colors compliment the photos, and the photos are still the main attraction.
If you can follow the above three tips you will have visually stunning scrapbook layouts. So follow these tips and you will enjoy looking at your scrapbook often, and showing your scrapbook off.