Scrapbook Layouts

Scrapbook layouts are the foundation of how your memory archive will look, the visual message it will present and the overall profile or “stamp” it will communicate.  Whether that profile is built with forethought or by accident, your scrapbook will either scream or whisper a message to every reader.  What message do you want  your album to convey?

When you are building a scrapbook a fundamental question is what style do you want the book to be?  Is there a set pattern for scrapbooking?  Is there a right way or a wrong way to consruct scrapbook layouts?  For starters the answer is no, there’s not a right or wrong way to compose a book, but with practice over time you’ll learn how to set up a book that’s more pleasing to the eye and enjoyable to experience.  Most scrapbooks begin with photographs, which are always enjoyable to experience, but in what environment will the photos reside?

Many people realize at some point that the photos they have are valuable and need to be organized.  In its most rudimentary form a photo album is a scrapbook, but the difference between a sterile, impersonal picture album and one that is decorated and personalized is vast.  The personalized scrapbook says more about the subject matter than the photos say alone.  The nuances of the scrapbook layouts and the resulting feel of a well made scrapbook cause the reader to be drawn closer to the people and events that are captured, and whether the memories are personal or viewed as a removed third party, the messages will say something.  What do you want your scrapbook’s message to be?

Have you ever noticed that the look of every chain store location looks very similar in layout and design?  How about restaurants?  What about clothing or department stores?  Does every Macy’s or JC Penney location look similar or does each store appear unique and stand apart from the rest?  The all look very similar in design and feel and structure, don’t they?  One of the main tenets of franchising is that each location looks and feels like the other franchise locations.  Why?  This characteristic is called the store’s profile, and it conveys a sense of being and a message to its patrons.  The profile is very important for establishing credibility and confidence that shoppers are in a favorable, familiar and welcoming location.  The same principle applies to your scrapbook.

When you build your album in a well thought-out layout and design it communicates continuity, familiarity and predictability, which is desirable.  That’s not to say that you should not have photos and memorabilia about varying events that may not fit with the theme or style of your album, it means that the pages will be laid out in a consistent fashion so the style remains the same throughout the book.  It will give your scrapbook an orderly appearance.