Simple principles for mixing patterns the modern way

1. Choose one of the patterns as the “primary” pattern. Don’t give several patterns equal importance.

2. The fewer the photos, the more likely mixing patterns will work. A layout with one photo may be enhanced with the use of two or more patterns, but a layout with five photos will likely feel cluttered with more than one (and may even call for a solid background!).

3. The patterns should have a unifying theme, usually at least one common color.

4. Adjacent patterns should contrast in an important way, such as in scale of the motif.

5.  The primary pattern shouldn’t fight with the photo. If you use it in a large area, the more subtle pattern should take more space, and the bolder one be used as an accent.

6. When you mix patterns, go light on page accessories, and if you want to use them, place them on areas of low contrast, not over a high-contrast pattern.

7. When mixing patterns on a double-page spread, pull one of them to use on a facing page, or better yet, leave the facing page a solid and pull your accessories from the principle pattern. You can definitely be bolder with accessories on a facing page to balance to your spread.

8. Avoid placing text over a pattern. If you need to, you can place a headline over it, but make sure there is contrast with the pattern. Never place journaling over a pattern unless it is an EXTREMELY subtle pattern and be sure to bold the text.

All that being said … the beauty of digital is you can go crazy and then back it off if you want J  Whatever you do, have fun!

Why this page works:

An informal Facebook poll revealed that most people prefer the page with the mixed patterns to the single-pattern page. Here’s how it carries out the simple principles above:

1. Dotted Swiss has the largest share of space on the page, and it’s a gentle pattern.

2. There is one photo.

3. All three patterns feature an identical pink.

4.  Dotted Swiss (small allover dot), Wedding Vow (delicate horizontal text) and Damask (big and bold) have major contrasts.

5. Dotted Swiss is an allover pattern that has the most prominent use of space; Damask is bold and has a lot of space, too, but is less prominent.

6.  I made the headline into a bold statement by making it large, rotating it, and adding a slight drop shadow. Other than that … no accessories.

7. If I were creating a facing page (which I plan to!), it would likely have more photos, be on a solid color (probably white), and pull some of the Damask motif.

8. I made sure the headline contrasted with the pattern and added a drop shadow. I placed the caption on the most subtle pattern and used a contrasting color, and bolded the text.