Creating Contrast

I am a scrapbooker by trade, and an artist by nature. When a fellow scrapbook artist suggested to me that I spend some time studying the basic elements of design, my first reaction was to run in the other direction. After all, scrapbooking is supposed to be fun. I really had no interest in spending my time “studying.” But after a while, I began to see her point. Many of my layouts were starting to look similar. Perhaps if I could get a firm handle on a few basic principles, I could apply them to my scrapbook art and discover new and interesting ways to layout the elements of a page. Indeed, that was the case.

Throughout my study of design I have found that understanding one single concept has improved my art perhaps more than any other—the idea of contrast. The basic principle of contrast is easy to understand: create contrast by using items that are different from one another. Simple, right? Yes, and no.

How often have you laid out a page using three or four different fonts, only to discover that they all look somewhat similar? Or perhaps, you found that they were so different that they were just all over the place and your design didn’t feel unified. When working with contrast, don’t be afraid to go for broke, but be sure to maintain balance at the same time. Instead of using similar elements, use the same elements. When you’re ready to use something different, use something very different.

While size and color are perhaps the most obvious ways to include contrast, there are many others as well. Try contrasting one or more of the following elements on your next pages to create a visual masterpiece.

Size. Size is perhaps the easiest way to add contrast to your pages. Simply work with some elements that are very, very large, and others that are very, very small. Photographs and titles are excellent things to enlarge. Consider a large background design as an additional option.

Color. Select one color that you’d like to use predominantly throughout your creation. Then, use a color wheel to locate a contrasting color. Add it to your layout for a strong and powerful look.

Texture. Use flat or textured cardstock with specialty paper. Add fabric or netted material for a creative effect. Metals contrast well with fabrics and softer paper designs. For some quick and affordable solutions, try tearing your paper instead of cutting it for a fun edge, or consider running your entire sheet through a paper crimper for a truly textured effect.

Typography. Lindsay Teague’s article, Font Frenzy, introduced us to the world of typefaces. Try mixing two or three different styles to create a unique effect.

Pattern. Mixing patterns is in! Try solids with stripes, or plaids with polka dots. When contrasting pattern, keep the color palette consistent to create a unified design.

Line. If your layout consists primarily of computer-generated, linear accents, try adding in some handwriting or hand-painted curves.

Contrast is a basic design concept that’s easy to learn and simple to apply. Try adding some contrast to one of your latest creations—you’ll find that you’re instantly creating stronger pages that are more visually interesting. The final bonus? It’s fun, too.

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