CHOOSING YOUR CLEAN SHEET PAGE TEMPLATE. The number of photos on your page will dictate your template choice
(see Quick Tip #3 on photo organization, and #5 on page planning). Some templates feature one large focal photo, and some have several
smaller, equally-sized photos. Some have more "white space" (areas of no text or photos) and some are photo-heavy. Consider the
quality of your photos (you won't want to make a low-res photo large); the story you're telling (do you really need all nine photos to
tell it?); and the "feel" you're seeking (generally, fewer photos are more serene and elegant).
And if you need to use two or more pages for an event (a left and right page together is called a "spread") make sure they look good
side by side.
COLOR PALETTES. Except for page templates, all products in the Studio Boutique are based on a master palette of 55 colors, divided into a
series of themed palettes containing six colors each. You can take a literal design cue from a palette (for example, Beaches), or choose
a palette that relates to your photos in a way that appeals to you. Neutrals always lend a more sophisticated feel.
PAGE BACKGROUND. I generally favor a white background for my layouts — like a magazine. However, you can use digital
paper as a background if you do so keeping photos your focal point. And make sure type is legible over the color; you may want to reverse
the type (make it white) for more contrast.
SOLID OR PATTERN? Some people like to use patterned backgrounds; I recommend they be used VERY sparingly. This is
why most Clean Sheets Page Templates have a layer specifically for patterned paper (or a strong color). Generally, these areas for patterns
do not include text blocks; they add visual interest but don't complicate the layout.
But if you want to try a patterned background, I offer many low-contrast patterns (they're noted that way in the Boutique). Sometimes,
you can even put a headline or type over the pattern and it will remain legible. The beauty of digital scrapbooking is that you can change
your mind with the click of a mouse. Just turn the layer off or on by clicking on the eyeball icon next to the layer name.
FONTS. Font styles generally fall into four categories:
Serif. Serifs are those little tails on the end of a letter. It is a comfortable type that is commonly used in large areas; your
eye finds it easy to read.
Sans Serif ... which means "without serifs." You can use them anywhere you like for a more modern flair.
Script. Think wedding invitations on the formal side, handwriting fonts on the casual. They can look like pens, markers or
paintbrushes. Script type can add tons of personality to a page. But they can be hard to read, so use sparingly.
Display or decorative. These are the fonts that express a definite "feel" that should truly only appear in a headline or accent.
Display fonts can range from the grungy, to the fanciful, to any of a hundred themes (such as Old West, typewriter or 1950's diner, and
many more).
I've recommended several modern fonts in these categories and created a free
Modern Font Guide PDF.
NOW HEAR THIS ... Never use more than one font per category on a page. For example, don't use two script fonts (like
formal script and handwriting). They'll clash annoyingly and interfere with your message.
For text and captions, use either a serif or san serif font. For descriptive words (headlines), you
can choose more expressive script or display fonts. But — every once in awhile, it is great to mix it up. Maybe you want to turn a short
journaling block into a handwritten note — or make an modern headline by using an understated sans serif. I recommend you choose two
favorite fonts in each category and use them in most of your pages, particularly for your caption and journaling text, for continuity.
But it is fun to choose an unexpected headline font occasionally.
FINDING FONTS. Personally, I rarely download free fonts; I'd rather purchase fewer, but better quality fonts. However,
if you Google "free fonts" you'll find a wide variety. Some of my favorite font sites are
Adobe.com, Veer.com and
Fonts.com. Sites with free fonts that have been recommended to me include
Dafont.com, and Urbanfonts.com.
PAGE ACCESSORIES. You know what accessories are — rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Used judiciously, accessories add
pop to your page. Some like a heavily-accessorized page, some like their layouts cleaner. Page Accessories include dots, stripes,
silhouettes, monograms, and word art. On each Clean Sheets Page Template, you find layers that show recommended placement. I show you
three, but you can leave them off completely, or place more if you like. Three is usually a good number in design.
