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Why we love Digital Scrapbooking
If you have sat in wonder, flipping through the beautiful pages of fellow Shutterfly members thinking “Wow! How do they create these gorgeous layouts?”, you are probably looking at a digital scrapbook. Digital scrapbooks are visually appealing because the creator’s personality shows crystal clear through the pages. Digiscrappers have the ability, through different software programs, to create layouts exactly how they want to. The main programs used are Photoshop Elements or Photoshop.
Learning PhotoShop software and controlling digital elements are incredibly rewarding experiences in themselves; but how do we make these elements work together? How do we combine the pieces into a stunningly beautiful scrapbook page? The answer is design.
Three Design techniques
I have put together these top 3 design tricks to make any layout look as if it just came out of the latest digital scrapbook magazine. What makes these movie star layouts is careful placement of all elements to stealthily guide the viewers’ eye from photo to photo. The first thing to consider is dominance. What does the viewer see first? The second trick is balance. Does the layout feel even to you? And the third trick is to utilize repetition. How do I visually show the viewer where to look next? With these three tricks, you will have your designs on the cover of the latest Digital Scrapbooking Magazine. Or at least you will grow more and more satisfied with your layouts!
Dominance
Dominance is used to create visual interest. You can create dominance with the colors in your photographs. If you have a picture of your niece in a hot pink raincoat, you can use this photo to dominate your layout while the rest of the pictures for this layout can be the dull and gray ones of the rainy day. Your background and extra elements can also be dull and gray so this one photo really pops off of the page. Use size to create dominance as well. A layout with one main photo and a few smaller photos is much more attractive than a layout with four pictures that are exactly the same size.
These examples show how your eye is drawn to one layout more than the other, due to the fact that one is using the trick of dominance.
Balance
Balance is used to create a visually appealing layout. Balance does not necessarily mean using two photos on the left page and using two photos on the right page. You must create the illusion of balance using different elements of design, including line, shape, size and color. Visually imagine a big fluffy feather pillow on a scale next to a small metal weight of the same weight of the pillow. They are different sizes and different materials but the balance is even.
This is our goal for visual balance. These examples show how one large shape on the left side of the axis can be balanced out by 3 smaller shapes on the right side of the axis. It also shows how a big, light object close to the center axis can be balanced out by a small dark shape near the center of the axis.
Repetition
Repetition is used to make digital layouts more dynamic also. Consider using variations in your repetition to make it more dynamic. In this example, you can see that 4 repeating circles is not as visually interesting as 4 repeating circles that gradually increase in size and break through the border of the frame at the end.
Be creative with repetition and you will find that it is a very powerful tool to lead the eye through your layout. Be careful not to fall into the trap of monotonous repetition. The eye becomes accustomed to certain patterns and no longer views them as visually stimulating. Keep it fresh and keep it interesting!
So, with these three tricks under your belt, you should be ready to create that dynamic layout that you are always striving for. With dominance, balance and repetition, you will be on your way to breath-taking layouts! Can’t wait to see those incredible layouts in the gallery! Good luck, have fun and be creative!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:14 am
WOW!!! This is such an insightful article. There are so many little tricks to come up with a design that’s visually appealing not only because of the photos, but because of the layout and the elements used in the layout. Thanks for all your tips Nikita… I can’t wait for your next article!!!!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Niki, wow, what a great article. It really is insightful and very helpful to those of us who have not ventured into the digi scrapping world. I love your work - your designs are so clean and fresh. i really want to try my PSE again in the near future. Your article really makes me want to give this a whirl. It sounds pretty easy but I know it takes time. I’m so intrigued by your books and other DS books. Thanks for the great inspiration and clear cut drawings. I will use your article for referance for sure.
Thanks Niki.
Joanna T
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
October 6th, 2008 at 11:07 am
My husband and I are currently working on a shutterfly wedding album and this article is so helpful! We’re going to bring some balance and dominance together with repetition!!!! =)
We look forward to seeing the finished product!
Keep writing!
October 6th, 2008 at 11:49 am
These are 3 very powerful techniques that can bring so much to a books design. Focal point, balance and repetition, used together or separately, make for a very good book. I love, seeing and reading again about these elements from some else perspective. It can bring a new sense of understanding and creativity to projects. I love your article Niki and would love to see Shutterfly offer more just like is one!
Ann Abbott
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
October 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Felicitaciones Niki!!!! un superaticulo y los modelos incluyenldo a mi Pablo Andres estan super!!!!
October 7th, 2008 at 5:10 am
Niki:
Great article. You articlated so well that affect of ‘you know it when you see it’. Well done.
Cheri
October 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
This is wonderful. I think the design aspect is the most elusive, at least for me. I love the hand-drawn illustrations; they really add to your article. This is really helpful; thanks for the insight!
Rachael
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
October 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Nice article Nikita. These are great design elements that help to make a good layout great. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and especially the hand drawn illustrations.
BarbaraK57
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
October 11th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Thanks for such great tips, I plan to start digi scrapping soon, I appreciate all of the great advice.
TammyM5
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
Cool article Nikita & some great design techniques. I know I struggle with my layouts sometimes & if I can just remember those tips I’ll be on my way to a better digital page! Thanks for sharing some great advice.
KimH420
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Nikita,
This is great. I’m just staring to work with digital scrapbooking and it feels so overwhelming at times. I love your 3 design tips. I should of checked out your article before as it defnitely gives me new perceptive on what I’m trying to accomplish and how to do it. I use PSE and love it but have barely scratched the surfact of it’s abilities. Great article.
CynthiaY2
Shutterfly Gallery Guru
December 26th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Is there a way to create your own photo layout when creating the photo books? I enjoy making them as chronicles of trips etc, but the drawback that I struggle with is having to use one of the existing templates for layouts. Yes, there are a lot to choose from, but never exactly what I want. I would like to be able to tilt, overlap, change sizes of photos etc, and I have not figured out where that is possible. If I am missing something, please let me know! I am about to start on a new one, or two?
December 26th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I was wondering the same as Kathie…. Thanks for taking the time to share your tips!
January 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Kathie and Alycia,
Digital scrapping is definitely the way to go if you would like to create your very own creative layouts. This way, you do not have to work with the specific shutterfly templates. You create your own pages, then choose a digital album (the one with the blank pages) then upload your artwork and there you have your very own design! Digital Scrapbooking is a favorite hobby for many people and the good thing about that is that there are lots of great resources to use if you would like to begin your digiscrap journey. There are a couple other good articles on digital scrapbooking at this link: http://www.shutterflystorytelling.com/digital-scrapbooking/ I really reccomend you take a look at Barbara’s articles… she has some great tips for beginners. Hope this helps! Please fell free to e-mail me if you ahve any specific questions! curicogirl@mac.com
Good luck! Just to warn you… digiscrapping is addicting! Once you start, you just can’t stop!!!
January 14th, 2009 at 10:58 am
how did i your article from way back in october!? geez… guess i was sleeping. awesome tips ‘n tricks niki! ;o)