What I learned from watching HGTV . . .

I was shopping at For Keeps Sake and talking to customers about design elements.  These customers were participants in For Keeps Sake's 12x12 page contest which is held each month.  They didn't win and asked me what I thought about their layouts.

Being one who always has an opinion ; }  I started to explain design elements to them and thought I'd share some ideas with you here.

Disclaimers:

1. I am not an expert at anything. 
2. You probably know much more about this than me so please feel free to leave your comments below.
3. I do follow some basic rules.
4. Rules are meant to be broken.
5. There are no rules.
6. Everything I know about design I've learned from college courses.
7. I never completely finished college.

So I'll continue . . .

I do have an Associates in Interior Design

and

I do watch a lot of HGTV

and

from all that I have learned that you must have

a focal point

in your room on your scrapbook page. 

Sort of like *too many cooks spoil the broth* - too many focal points and the eye doesn't know where to settle.  Decide on what you'd like to focus on and work around that - whether it be one large photo or several small ones in a grouping.

Created by JK73 at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Her challenge was to create something around a dress form.

See more of her work here:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=344460
 

Help the eye to read:

Given most of us in the U.S. have our first language as English and therefore are taught to read in a "Z" pattern (i.e., left to right, back to left and right again and repeat until the story is told.)  IF you are a scrapbooker who wants to cover your entire 12x12 area, then you can lead the viewer through your page by following the "Z" pattern rule.  IF you use a red color in the upper left corner then draw the eye through your layout by adding red in 3 other areas  - somewhere near the upper right corner, close to the mid to lower left and then to the lower right corner.

 

Designed by Madaline @ Two Peas in a Bucket

 

The squint test:

Scrapbookers have two important elements in their projects: the photos and the stories.  The photos are the focal point.  To see if you your photo is the focal point, squint at your layout.  If (while squinting) other elements on your page (like color or an embellishment) are more prominent than the photo, then you may want to rethink your colors.

 

Designed by Zwick @ Two Peas in a Bucket

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/310996-zwyck/1618597-plimoth-plantation/?c=t

 

Say "NO" to floaters:

Connect the dots.  Make one element touch another in some way.  Physically touch.  Otherwise you'll have things floating in space with no connection to anything else on your page.

 

Designed by Fryne at Two Peas In A Bucket

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/451954-fryne/1626732-family-prima-bap-tcr-6/?c=t
 

Patterns and Paper and Color, oh my:

Don't we all love our paper?  If you're new to this, try sticking to 3 colors.  Choose colors based on your photo (draw from the colors in your focal point) or based on the mood you're trying to create.  If you're choosing pattern paper, then choose related patterns in 3 different sizes: one paper with a large design; a second with a medium pattern and the 3rd with a small design.  Mixing 2 or 3 large patterns is confusing.  Try mixing pattern sizes.

 

Designed by Julia @ Two Peas in a Bucket

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/290515-julia-s/1624900-tweet-wishes/?c=t
 

 

Your eyes need rest:

Don't be afraid to add "white space" to your design.  White space is a clearing on your page with nothing there.  It gives the eye a place for some R&R.  If you're without white space, add some black to your layout which does the same thing as white space.  Remember learning about the color wheel - black and white are void of color therefore . . . !

 

Designed by Em T @ Two Peas In A Bucket

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/451954-fryne/1626732-family-prima-bap-tcr-6/?c=t
 

Hoping this helps in your contest endeavors, go out there and break some of rules!

 

Comments

[Jenn T]

That was awesome! Thanks for the tips Nancy :)