Mixing digital patterns? Make it modern

Ahh, beautiful patterns! Although I very rarely use patterned backgrounds in magazine design, they have an important place in modern digital scrapbooking. Used judiciously, they can be part of a beautiful context for our photos—remembering that the faces in the layout are your focal point.

And you love ALL those patterns in that mega-kit you just bought. If one looks great on a page, wouldn’t two… or more … be even better?

In most cases, no. If you’re designing a single page, find the best pattern for the layout and go with it, adding more interest with (no more than three) page accessories and touches of color. If you’re doing a double-page spread, you could pull a solid color from the pattern and/or take a cue from the pattern motif for a more bold use of accessories on the facing page.

BUT … if you’re up to it … there are times that mixing patterns yields amazing (and not over-the-top) results. I have a few rules of thumb that will help you make beautiful pages with the focus on your photos. Read the complete tip and then have fun mixing it up when you choose!

Project Freebie of the Week:  As I created the new Summer Wedding package, I needed a romantic quote for the "one-pattern" version. I decided to create a new Quick Classic Quote page accessory for all those romantic layouts. It features 16 thought-provoking quotes in four modern fonts on a PNG.  Click to download.

Looking for a previously posted Beautifully Simple Project? Check here!