Layout for Scrap
You've probably seen this word Layout or the initials LO a lot when we refer to different scrapbooking projects. If you've ever wondered what it means, read on as we explain it all! (And if you already knew, stick around because we'll give you some useful tips too)!
A page layout is a composition created on a sheet of paper. The most common size is 30 x 30 cm, or 12'x12', because that's the usual size of a sheet of paper. However, a page layout can also be 20 x 20 cm (8'x8'), in A4 format, or adapted to the media you have available. You can also use two pages to make a double layout.
In this type of layout, the main elements are one or more photos, a title and various decorative details. If you wish, you can also add the date and a short text to tell the story of the image (known as journaling).
Layouts are a quick and ideal way to document special moments or specific images, without the need for an album or project life. However, if you create numerous layouts, it is advisable to keep them in clear pockets inside an album to keep them in perfect condition.
Where do I start? Tips for making a Scrap Layout
It's always a bit daunting to start with a blank page and not know where to start with the layout or how to place all the elements. That's why there are rules and tips to help us create a balanced and visually appealing composition.
The first rule to remember is the rule of thirds. This involves dividing the page into three vertical and three horizontal bands (or nine quadrants). The intersections of the lines that divide the page mark the strong points where the different elements should be placed. You can use one or two points to place the title or photo.
It is a good idea to create a transparent template, as shown in the picture, to help you place the photo or title.
The second trick that can help you is the visual triangle. This involves placing the elements so that they form a triangle when connected by a line. This helps to guide the eye across the page, in other words, to create a path and a 'hierarchy' for viewing the page and unifying the elements. This visual aid allows our brain to unconsciously find balance in the composition.
Balancing the page also needs to be considered. A page layout may or may not be symmetrical. If the load of detail is evenly distributed on both sides of the page, it will be symmetrical and, logically, if more detail is placed in a particular area, it will be asymmetrical.
Don't overlook the importance of empty space. Its function is to balance and 'breathe' the layout. One of the most common mistakes is to try to fill the whole page, when in order to highlight the most important element, the photo, you need to leave some white space so that the brain can process the visual information received.
A little extra help
Now you know some of the guidelines for creating a layout. But if you still find it a little difficult to get started, we have good news for you. There are 'sketches' (or templates), which are pre-designed schemes that you can use as examples when creating your own layout. You simply place the elements as the sketch shows you. It may look very similar, or you can use it as inspiration, flip it, change elements... it's up to you.
Here are some examples of sketches and the final result.
Another interesting term to learn is scraplifting, which is when you take inspiration from someone else's layout to create your own. You can even keep a folder of saved layouts for those days when inspiration seems to have taken a holiday. Do, however, remember that if you decide to scraplift a layout, you should give credit to the person who made the layout you're scraplifting.
Train your Craft Look
You don't have to be a graphics expert to design incredible layouts. Just train your eye and look at other people's creations. You'll quickly notice what you like more or less about different models, and you'll get a mental picture of what your project could look like. It's also very useful to watch a video of the process of creating a layout, to see how elements are placed and how it takes shape, from the background to the final details. In this video, you can see a layout being created step by step.
Repeated practice is the key to making progress and enjoying the process more and more.
Jump in!
Trust yourself and start creating your first LO without hesitation, placing elements on the page to play with the composition and moving them around as needed. Practice makes perfect! In a future article, we'll give you more ideas for spectacular page layouts.
