| One of my first questions as a new scrapbooker was | | | | effect that has on you as a reader). Diagonal lines can |
| "How do I design layouts?" I felt quite awkward placing | | | | suggest movement and action. For example, by placing |
| embellishments and pictures on my pages till I worked | | | | your photos square on to the page, you are creating |
| out a few basic design elements. | | | | both horizontal and vertical lines. By tilting them to one |
| Although people do not always agree on what the | | | | side, you are adding oblique lines. Try both ways when |
| Elements and Principles of Design actually are, I have | | | | scrapping a page to see what you like best. |
| decided that the following seven help me! If you have | | | | 4. Size - the relationship between shapes on a page - |
| never seen these design elements before, they just | | | | how much space does one shape take up compared |
| might help you feel more confident about making | | | | to another? Are you happy that there is balance with |
| stunning layouts, too. | | | | the size of elements on your page? |
| NOTE: Always remember that you are aiming to | | | | 5. Texture - a favourite element of scrap bookers |
| please your own self when designing your scrap book | | | | these days. You can make things rough, smooth, |
| pages. Whatever pleases you is right. As for my | | | | creased, folded, soft, hard, glossy, sanded and so on. |
| Elements of Design? Once you have noted them, use | | | | Texture is actual on traditional layouts and visual only in |
| them however you like - to help you determine if a | | | | digital scrapbooking but what depth it adds to any |
| page needs something, or to help you work out what | | | | page! People notice texture and want to touch it, |
| else you could do with your photos, or to scrap within | | | | regardless of whether it is 'real' or not. |
| a particular style, or to draw attention to just the right | | | | 6. Colour - every scrap booker needs to consider the |
| place on your page. | | | | shades of colour (or hue) being used on the page. |
| My Elements are not meant to take the place of your | | | | Does it complement or contrast with your subject? Do |
| own creativity and sense of what is right for your own | | | | you want clashing colours? Colour is always noticed |
| scrap book! They are there to be tools for you to use | | | | on layouts. These days, more photos are being printed |
| as and when you wish. | | | | in black and white, which can add drama and interest |
| What is an Element of Design anyway? To me, it is | | | | to your pages, and is more related to Element No 7, |
| one of the most basic and visible of things. The | | | | Value. |
| Elements of your layouts will always be the things that | | | | 7. Value - the lightness or darkness of a colour. |
| are obvious and noticable to your viewers. My Seven | | | | Another name for Value is Tone. When we alter our |
| Elements of Design and My 'Take' on Them for Scrap | | | | photos to turn up the contrast in them or to turn it |
| bookers: | | | | down, we are adding an element of 'value' to that |
| 1. Line - Lines can be drawn or painted. They can also | | | | photo. The greater the difference between light and |
| be formed when two or more shapes meet on a | | | | dark areas in a photograph, the more attention we pay |
| page. The eye will follow a line. They can be used to | | | | to that area. Subtle contrast (or value) gives another |
| draw the eye, emphasise an area of the page, or | | | | feel to our photos and pages - think vintage or shabby |
| create a mood when you consider the direction they | | | | chic. |
| are going in as well (see Element no 3, 'Direction') | | | | And there you have my seven Elements of Design. I |
| 2. Shape - can be geometric (a circle, square, etc) or | | | | hope they help you when you are designing your own |
| organic (such as a leaf shape or splashes of water | | | | layouts. Always remember that the Elements of a |
| etc). Making a positive shape automatically produces a | | | | Design are the things that are noticed and obvious on |
| negative one as well. Shapes can help add meaning | | | | a page. If you want more information and a short |
| and interest to your page. I find triangles can often | | | | video on how to apply the Elements of Design to your |
| produce balance and interest on my pages. | | | | pages, go to my website here: |
| 3. Direction - what direction are your lines going in? | | | | The Elements of Design are only one dimension to |
| Horizontal lines suggest peace, calm, stability and | | | | think about when designing your layouts. Next time I will |
| strength. Vertical lines can create balance, add | | | | talk about my interpretation of Principles of Design, |
| formality to the page, or make the viewer alert to | | | | some of the more subtle aspects of page layouts. I |
| something (think of an exclamation mark and what | | | | hope you will join me then! |