5 Steps to Blocked Design in Custom-Sized Scrapbooking

Today, Creative Team Member, Diane Weber, is sharing 5 Steps to Blocked Design in Custom-Sized Scrapbooking.

Complete these techniques in Adobe Photoshop and Elements.

5 Steps to Blocked Design in Custom-Sized Scrapbooking

Introduction

Create a modified format digital scrapbooking layout using a ‘blocked’ design.

• This approach is reminiscent of Linear paper scrapbooking.
• Divide your layout into smaller design areas or Blocks.
• Can help you create Simple digital scrapbooking pages with ease.

Tip. Select photos with similar Colors for best results.

Note. The predominant blues in the above photos capture the viewer’s attention and lead the eye.

1. Select & Crop Photos

• Go to File> New to establish a New Layout
• In the dialog box, enter a Width of 17 inches and a Height of 10.5 inches (or your preferred dimensions.)
• Set up Guides – See my previous post on Modifying Square Digital Papers)
• Drag all of your photos onto the page (up to 6-8 photos can be used).

Crop photos.

• Note that many photos will be used ‘as is’ with no frame so crop to the final desired size.
• Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool.
• With the photo layer selected in the Layers Panel, draw a rectangle around the areas to be removed and press the Backspace key on your keyboard.
• You can also select the Custom Shape Tool, place your cursor below the photo in the Layers Panel, draw a (rounded) rectangle, then clip the photo to this new Shape layer.

Arrange photos.

Balancing Colors and Content of Photos.

Tip. If any photos don’t fit with the colors, consider desaturating them.

• Go to Image> Adjustments> Black & White

Or:

• With the photo selected in the Layers Panel, go to Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Hue/Saturation.
• Clip this Hue/Saturation layer to your photo, check the Colorize box, and adjust the Sliders.

Note. The desaturated photo in the top middle blends well with the yellows and adds visual interest to the digital scrapbooking page.

Note. All the photos on the right are desaturated so as not to conflict with the blues on the left.

2. Add Background ‘BLOCKS’

The best and easiest way to add these ‘blocks’ is to use ArtsyKardz.

• Position your cursor below each photo in the Layers Panel.
• Drag the .jpeg format file of an ArtsyKardz beneath the photo, positioned like a photo ‘matte.’

3. Add Layers

A favorite way to add layers is with MultiMedia Documents.

• Open the .png version of a MultiMedia Documents elements file.
• Position your cursor below a photo in the Layers Panel.
• Drag in all layers of the MultiMedia Documents.
• Arrange and modify the layers to best support your digital scrapbooking layout design.

Tip. PaperTextures, Transfers and Overlays, Tape and Dimensional Paint elements all offer good options for layering.

4. Frame & Arrange Photos

Options for each photo:

• Clip the photo to a FotoBlendz clipping mask, such as from a FotoInspired Layered Template.
• Clip to the mask layer of a Frame from an ArtPlay Palette, Template or Frame.
• Add a Stroke and Drop shadow Layer Style to the photo layer of your digital scrapbooking layout design.

Note. Some of these photos are just sitting on the background (upper left and right).

• Others are clipped to Frames from a Template (left.)
• One is clipped to a UrbanThreadz Frame (right.)
• One has a Drop Shadow Layer Style applied (lower right.)

5. Add Embellishments

Blocked pages have a lot of design elements and need minimal embellishment.

• Keep your embellishment SIMPLE.
• Use Design Principles such as Visual Triangles.

Note. There are three small flower clusters.

• WordArt, Stitching and Buttons form a Visual Triangle in this digital scrapbooking layout design.
• A few other small embellishments like Twigs and Staples are added for Texture and Functionality.

• Twigs and string elements add Movement to the digital scrapbooking layout design
• The placement of yellow elements form Visual Triangles to lead the eye.

• WordArt, Stitching, Flowers, Leaves and Buttons from ArtPlay Palettes and MultiMedia elements are arranged to add Movement to the very Linear Blocked Design.

 Summary

You can create a linear blocked design in 5 easy steps.

• Select, crop and Arrange photos to create ‘blocks.’
• Add background papers and elements to create a Foundation for your digital scrapbooking layout.
• Add Dimension and Visual Interest with element layers.
• Create Focal Points with Clipping Masks and Frames.
• Embellish with your favorite elements and WordART.

See also:

• Modify Square Digital Papers for basics of rectangular scrapbooking.
• 5 Ways to Modify Template for Rectangular Format Scrapbooking.
• 5 Ways to Use Elements in Non-Square Layouts.

And if you liked this 5 Steps to Blocked Design in Custom-Sized Scrapbooking Tutorial Post, please try the technique and post your layout here.