SuzanneCWalker
07-25-2006, 11:20 AM
Or, more precisely, what is FREESTYLE?!!!!!! Our fabulous Ms. Debb has described it WONDERFULLY:
Most call it ‘Freestyle’ others refer to it as ‘Boutique’ or ‘Bohemian’ style. It has been called the latest trend, the ‘new way’ to think about scrapbook layouts, the ‘in’ thing to do. But what exactly is a ‘Freestyle’ layout?
I’ve just spent the last few weeks reading & studying every article, book and layout I can find that purports to be a freestyle layout to try to figure this out. After studying this style I can tell you what it is NOT….it is not a style where you throw design principles out the window and just ‘go with the flow.’ (Although that is what many of the articles and books will tell you!) How can I say this? I can say this because I have been studying the layouts. When you look at a freestyle layout you still see design principles being used; things like focal point, line, shape, form, balance, space, color and unity are all still being utilized in these layouts. What makes freestyle different is that these principles are being utilized in new and fresh ways.
So, what are some of the elements that typify a freestyle layout? These are some of the things I have observed:
1. Basically freestyle is a ‘mixed media’ or collage style. The layouts use many different types of decorative elements in ways that you wouldn’t traditionally think of them being used. In a paper layout you would see this being played out by using combinations of things like mica chips, gesso paint, stamps, tiles to make a mosaic and maybe even a Popsicle stick or two. In digital layouts it can mean the same thing….it can also mean combined traditional paper elements with more graphic style elements and techniques (overlays, blending modes, photo montages, brushes and the like).
2. Freestyle layouts use open space in unique and fresh ways. (Everyone who participated in my Open Spaces challenge should have a ‘leg up’ with this concept.)
3. Doodles, doodles and more doodles! We have all seen it; freestyle layouts make heavy use of doodles, hand-drawn elements and hand-written fonts. (When using doodles digitally pay attention to your layers. You want to make sure your doodles are actually ‘drawn’ on a piece of paper and that they don’t ‘float’ on top of other elements.)
4. Freestyle layouts often have a heavy emphasis on type and text. The text is not used just for journaling but also becomes part of the decorative element of the page. It could be that words are randomly stamped on a background or that text is written on a curly-q path or even that a piece of old newsprint is used as part of the background. These are just some of the many ways that text is being used to decorate a layout.
5. Photos are used in new and different ways. The open space in a photo is used as a journaling block, they are doodled on, stamped on, cut apart to make little collage people, in freestyle your photo doesn’t have to stay in a little matted rectangular box.
6. Freestyle layouts also make use of a greater emphasis of line and motion. The shapes tend to be round, curved, organic. Even in a more linear version of a freestyle layout you will often find something in the layout that provides a sense of free-flowing movement.
So….these are some of the things I have noticed about freestyle layouts. Does it make you want jump in and join the fun? If so, then join me for a Freestyle Fandango! Try you hand at a freestyle layout, post it in the “Challenges with Deadlines” gallery and link your layout here. We will run the challenge through the end of the month and, if there is an interest, I can schedule a chat at the end of the month to discuss what we have learned about the art of FREESTYLE.
To get us started, I have posted this layout:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...9&limit=recent
(I should also mention that all of the DSP designers have a variety of new and wonderful products in the store that can help you achieve the look of a freestyle page. If you use a kit or element from one of the designers that is especially helpful, be sure and give the designer and her kit a ‘toot’ here in the forum okay?)
__________________
Many Blessings,
Debb Cozzi
Formerly known as "Keeplearning"
Most call it ‘Freestyle’ others refer to it as ‘Boutique’ or ‘Bohemian’ style. It has been called the latest trend, the ‘new way’ to think about scrapbook layouts, the ‘in’ thing to do. But what exactly is a ‘Freestyle’ layout?
I’ve just spent the last few weeks reading & studying every article, book and layout I can find that purports to be a freestyle layout to try to figure this out. After studying this style I can tell you what it is NOT….it is not a style where you throw design principles out the window and just ‘go with the flow.’ (Although that is what many of the articles and books will tell you!) How can I say this? I can say this because I have been studying the layouts. When you look at a freestyle layout you still see design principles being used; things like focal point, line, shape, form, balance, space, color and unity are all still being utilized in these layouts. What makes freestyle different is that these principles are being utilized in new and fresh ways.
So, what are some of the elements that typify a freestyle layout? These are some of the things I have observed:
1. Basically freestyle is a ‘mixed media’ or collage style. The layouts use many different types of decorative elements in ways that you wouldn’t traditionally think of them being used. In a paper layout you would see this being played out by using combinations of things like mica chips, gesso paint, stamps, tiles to make a mosaic and maybe even a Popsicle stick or two. In digital layouts it can mean the same thing….it can also mean combined traditional paper elements with more graphic style elements and techniques (overlays, blending modes, photo montages, brushes and the like).
2. Freestyle layouts use open space in unique and fresh ways. (Everyone who participated in my Open Spaces challenge should have a ‘leg up’ with this concept.)
3. Doodles, doodles and more doodles! We have all seen it; freestyle layouts make heavy use of doodles, hand-drawn elements and hand-written fonts. (When using doodles digitally pay attention to your layers. You want to make sure your doodles are actually ‘drawn’ on a piece of paper and that they don’t ‘float’ on top of other elements.)
4. Freestyle layouts often have a heavy emphasis on type and text. The text is not used just for journaling but also becomes part of the decorative element of the page. It could be that words are randomly stamped on a background or that text is written on a curly-q path or even that a piece of old newsprint is used as part of the background. These are just some of the many ways that text is being used to decorate a layout.
5. Photos are used in new and different ways. The open space in a photo is used as a journaling block, they are doodled on, stamped on, cut apart to make little collage people, in freestyle your photo doesn’t have to stay in a little matted rectangular box.
6. Freestyle layouts also make use of a greater emphasis of line and motion. The shapes tend to be round, curved, organic. Even in a more linear version of a freestyle layout you will often find something in the layout that provides a sense of free-flowing movement.
So….these are some of the things I have noticed about freestyle layouts. Does it make you want jump in and join the fun? If so, then join me for a Freestyle Fandango! Try you hand at a freestyle layout, post it in the “Challenges with Deadlines” gallery and link your layout here. We will run the challenge through the end of the month and, if there is an interest, I can schedule a chat at the end of the month to discuss what we have learned about the art of FREESTYLE.
To get us started, I have posted this layout:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...9&limit=recent
(I should also mention that all of the DSP designers have a variety of new and wonderful products in the store that can help you achieve the look of a freestyle page. If you use a kit or element from one of the designers that is especially helpful, be sure and give the designer and her kit a ‘toot’ here in the forum okay?)
__________________
Many Blessings,
Debb Cozzi
Formerly known as "Keeplearning"