Thursday 19 December 2013

Experiments in Breaking Scrapbook Layout Design Rules

Feeling like being just a little bit daring today? You've come to the right place. We've talked before here about scrapbooking "rules", and whenever we do, lots of you say - what rules? I do what I like! And, believe me, I'd be the last person to argue against that. I'm the only non school prefect in the family, remember, (and that's another story). 

But that doesn't mean there aren't tricks you can't learn from great design books like White Space is Not Your Enemy and How to Design Cool Stuff. 

Tricks you can't learn? Mmm..that sounds a bit Dr. Seuss, doesn't it? It's like fun that is funny. And most of the time most of us have more fun scrapbooking when we're feeling comfortable with what we're doing, when we've found our groove (which is also an expression Dr Seuss might have used, back in the day), when we follow our own rules. So when Get It Scrapped asked me to Break The Rules by choosing a favourite design principle, one I turn to over and over again, I thought - that sounds like a challenge.

Sian Fair: breaking the scrapbooking rules for Get It Scrapped

And, yes! it is harder than it sounds. I made a page about being stuck in the house one day I wasn't feeling well, using the photos I took that day when I was In Not Out. This is how I described it for Get It Scrapped:

“One design principle I enjoy using a lot is emphasis. I like to have clusters on my page and work to get the viewer’s eye moving through them. I decided to see if I could make an effective page which had only one area of interest–with everything close together.”
“I liked this idea because it also emphasized the story of my page: the notion of being stuck in one place, unable to move about. But I also wanted to get a bit of tension going: a little bit of me likes an excuse to stay inside and make things, so I found a paper with a heart pattern to set against the tight, claustrophobic feel of the tiny photos and to add some depth and energy. I almost succeeded in keeping everything in one place: at the last minute I added the black washi tape at the top to stop the eye from falling off the page. Which just goes to show that maybe breaking the rules is a good enough way to start even if you pull it back at the end!”

You can find more examples of breaking the rules scrapbooking at 6 Experiments in Breaking Scrapbook layout Design Rules at Get It Scrapped.

19 comments:

Barbara Eads said...

Not only do I like the design of your page, I particularly like the subject. I would never have thought to scrapbook a simple page about being inside!

Cheryl said...

Very cool! I love how the LO design reflects the story and how you felt that day.

Miriam said...

A lovely LO Sian and if I was scrapping one I would like to copy :)

Jo said...

Great layout. I've got a couple of weeks off work soon so I might do a bit of experimentation :)

Sandra said...

I have to say I love the subject you've scrapped about and I think I stick to the rules to much, so you never know I may just take your advice :)

Sandie said...

I love the IN NOT OUT quote, and how you broke rules to create this lovely page. I'm a rule breaker too so this page and subject really appeals! Great post as always :)

Karen said...

What's most impressive to me is that the design principle matches the story itself! You are awesome!

Beverly said...

Love that you had the perfect topic to scrap about.

scrappyjacky said...

A wonderful page,Sian....I'd have found it very hard not to add a bit more to the clusters.

Melissa said...

What a great layout - I like it all together there!

Lisa-Jane said...

I know its not your usual style but I like it and I can see that it totally fits the subject. Great paper too!

Missus Wookie said...

I like being able to break rules and try new things. Nice to see your roof top view :)

alexa said...

Oh what a beautifully designed page! Clusters and white space - and you've mentioned two of my go-to books ( though the first one is not very well designed, IMHO!). The little bit of angled black is a very neat finishing touch.

Lou said...

This style really appeals to me...yet time and time again i struggle to stick to it and end up using the majority of the page.

A super subject and an even super layout x

Abi said...

Your layouts are always beautiful Sian whether you stick to the rules or not. This is lovely and I love how it works on your theme of being stuck inside.

Alison said...

You are so brave with your layouts, Sian...one day I hope to be so too!
Alison xx

Chantal Vandenberg said...

Wow this is brilliant!!!!! I LOVE what you have done here! Super clever!

Nathalie said...

Absolutely fabulous page and design! I don't think too much about rules while i scrap a page but in the end there are usually a few that I have applied anyway

Anonymous said...

I love how the design matches up perfectly with your subject! I find it really hard to break rules but I might give this a try.

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