Scrapbooking Page Ideas Secrets

Guidelines to Follow When Coming Up With Scrapbooking Page Ideas

The best scrapbooks are laid out methodically, artistically, and thoughtfully.  Though you definitely want creativity to reign king, having a few rules to turn back to when designing an incredible layout for a scrapbook page will keep your design streamlined and eye-catching.

Before going overboard with pictures, embellishments, and a variety of papers, keep in mind these scrapbooking rules, which can be applied to any scrapbooking project.

1)  Have One Focal Point

Give one picture or element a “starring role” in your layout.  When designing the page, think about what you want the eye to be drawn to first.  Using the rules of balance, place that element in a desirable location, be it the center of the page or slightly off-center.

Consider using the Rule of Visual Center.  Artists use this rule to draw the eye to focal point on the page.  Aesthetically, the eye is drawn to focal points that are slightly off-center.  Make sure all other elements of the page complement and support your focal point without being overly distracting.

2) Balance

Your pages will have a professional and unified look if you make sure everything is balanced.  There are a number of layout designs to achieve perfect balance in your layout.  Here are some common ideas:

  • Decide whether you will create a symmetrically balanced or asymmetrically balanced page.  The focal point of a symmetrically balanced page means that you can draw a line down the middle of the page, creating a mirror effect.  An asymmetrically balanced page means the focal point is off-center, so that if you draw a line down the center of the page, the majority of elements will be on one side of the page, and not the other.
  • Incorporate the “Rule of Threes.”  Divide the page by thirds horizontally, vertically, or create a grid by doing both.  Place the most visually important aspects of you page at the intersection of the thirds. This draws the eye to your focal points, making the page more interesting and resulting in a person lingering upon the page.
  • Consider applying “The Golden Ratio” principle.  Grouping embellishments, photos, etc. in groups of three or five is more visually interesting than grouping in even numbers.
  • Make sure all elements (pictures, embellishments, quotes, etc) relate to one another.  Everything should have a shared purpose, creating an aesthetic and narrative balance.

3)  Tell a Story

A great scrapbook layout page tells a compelling story.

Remember, a scrapbook is a record of your memories, of your life.  Pictures and elements should signify specific meaning and importance.  If you truly care about the story you want to tell, your page will be all the better for it.

Be picky when selecting pictures for you page: choose the ones that best reflect the feelings and the narrative you are trying to communicate.  Reflect about how the story can best be told in your layout design.

How much room do you want to leave for journaling?  What additional elements will be the best supporting characters in the story?  What colors reflect the mood of the narrative?  How many photos will it take to form a sufficient account of your tale?

Taking all of these things into consideration will make your page a personal, unique, and purposeful venture.