Creating a great layout begins even before you pick up a paper trimmer or look through your cardstock supply. Your first step is to make conscious decisions about what message you want your layout to convey. Before you begin any project, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is my goal for this layout? By consciously choosing a goal, you can more easily determine what photos, techniques and embellishments will help you create a successful layout.
2. Who is the layout for? Are you writing to yourself? To the subject of the page? To future generations? Knowing your audience will help you decide what to include on the page and will make your journaling more meaningful.
3. What do I want the tone of my layout to be? Warm and homey? Wild and energized? Deciding what mood you want to convey will help you choose colors and themes that are most appropriate for your layout.

The focal point of a layout is the first place your eye rests. It tells the viewer where to start. It can also help her understand waht you want to communicate on your layout.

Creating a Focal Point Using Contrast

Contrast refers to the difference between two elements that distinquishs them as unique. In scrapbooking, you canc reate contrast with varying sizes, colors, shapes, textures and lines. You can also use this principle to emphasize your focal point.

Creating a Focal Point Using Placement

Placement is one of the easiest ways to highlight your focal-point on a page. Try placing it in the center of your page to draw the viewer in, or create "lines" of photos that lead the eye to your focal point. Another option is to isolate the subject by creating an invisible barrier around your focal point that will automatically guide the eye toward the center of the space.

Choosing a Focal Point

How do you go about choosing a focal point? Follow the steps below:

1. Decide on the message of your layout. Gather all the photos you want to use, making sure that they fit the message of the layout.
2. Choose the photo that best represents the message you want to communicate.
3. Identify a few elements that will help you communicate your message, such as other photos, embellishments or memorabilia.
4. Determine if the elements you've identified will compete for attention with your focal-point. Your focal-point item should take center stage on your layout.

By simply adding a few geometrical shapes to a page, you create visual interest and excitement. Shape can also help you create rhythm and motion on a page. By incorporating curved lines and other loosely defined shapes, you can lead your viewer's eye toward or away from a specific element. In addition, by repeating shapes on a layout, you can create a pattern that will create a sense of order and clarity.

Positive and Negative Shape

A positive shape is the outline of an object. A negative shape is the outline of the absence of an object. For example, imagine laying an object on a piece of paper and designing your page with that element in place, then lifting the element to reveal the silhouetted shape of the element on the page. Using this negative shape can be a strong way to create visual interest on your page while keeping it uncluttered.

Grounding Shapes on a Layout

If you decide to use shapes on your layout, be sure to "ground" them so they don't appear to float on top of the page. You can ground a shape by layering items on top of it, creating a mat for it, or clustering the shape in a patttern.

Also, if you're using random shapes as a background, consider running several of the shapes off the page to give the illusion that the pattern continues.

Cropping Your Photos

If you choose to crop a photo, take care not to trim off body parts of other elements of the photo that have a definite form. Doing so may leave you feeling as if something is missing. For best results, only trim out continuous patterns, such as wallpaper, grass or sky.

When it comes to balance on a layout, you have lots of factors to consider, including the size and shape of the elements, the visual "weight" of your photos' subjects -- even the weight of the colors, textures and patterns on your page. A large object, for example, weighs more than a small one. A bright color weighs more than a subdued one. And an element with a pattern or texture weighs more than one without.

Symmetrical Balance

Strictly speaking, symmetry is when like shapes are repeated in the same positions on each side of a vertical line. This is the easiest way to create balance on a page -- you just create a mirror image on both halves of the page.

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance doesn't require the same number, type or positioning of elements. To achieve asymmetrical balance, take the following into consideration:

1. Recognize that each element on a layout has weight and size.
2. Determine how much or how little of an element will balance the other elements on the page. For example, a small, dense element will balance a much larger, airier one.
3. Determine where you can place the items on the page to create balance. Visualize a triangle that includes points on the left side of the layout, the right side of the layout, and your eye. The elements on your page need to balance left to right, top to bottom, and up to down.

The Rule of Thirds

If you've taken a basic photography class, you're familiar with the Rule of Thirds. Basically, the rule divides a rectangular space into thirds both horizontally and vertically, creating nine small rectangles and four points where the lines intersect. The most important elements of your composition should be placed where the lines intersect. This results in a pleasing, balanced arrangement.

White Space

A basic principle of design, leaving some white space on the layout keeps the focus on the photos, and gives the viewer's eye a rest.

The Visual Triangle

The eye naturally wants to connect items on a page. You can facilitate this by placing elements -- photos, embellies or such -- in a triangle that spans your page. Another option? Arrange the elements in the shape of a Z. Both arrangements will lead the eye throughout the important elements on the layout.