Freestyle Fandango

Debb Cozzi · 07-14-2006, 03:21 PM

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?)

**Meg** · 07-14-2006, 03:52 PM

This is great Debb!! I struggle to find the happy medium between my simple, straightforward scrapbook pages and my crazy, mixed media art journal pages. This is just what I need!! Count me in!

07-14-2006, 04:16 PM

Oh me too! My Art Journal pages aren't quite arty enough but they've definitely influenced my scrapping. I'd love to look at it in more depth.

And, Debb, great title for your challenge!!

LindaBelle · 07-14-2006, 06:55 PM

Hehehehehe!!!
Freestyle Fandango???
A chance to dabble in joyful, creative expression AND use doodles??? Oh my...I LOVE this stuff!!!!

Can you hear me laughing with delight???

Debb Cozzi · 07-14-2006, 08:30 PM

Oh hurray...we have three of the best, most inspirational scrappers on the site agree to participate in this challenge....I AM A HAPPY GIRL!!!!

Meg, Bethy, Linda....I just can't WAIT to see your versions of freestyle layouts.

So...what do you say everyone.....Any one else want to play FREESTYLE FANDANGO with us? Hmmmm....pretty please....with sugar on top?

nekobus · 07-14-2006, 08:40 PM

I'd love to play. Have NO IDEA how, but I'll certainly be in the best of company. Debb, I vote for a chat, maybe sooner rather than later to help explain it all.

Linda Rechtin · 07-14-2006, 08:41 PM

Count me in too! Sounds like a blast!

07-14-2006, 08:45 PM

Ok, here's my first attempt.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...14024&cat=2611

I fear it's not very freestyle. I like the layout but it's still a little rigid for this, I think. SOO, I may just have to try again!!

Of course, feedback on this one would be welcome!
Great challenge Debb - I was in a non-scrapping mood and this got me going again!

Linda Rechtin · 07-14-2006, 08:46 PM

I completed these two today before I saw this challenge. Even though I know they are not too much "outside of the box" I have heavily used doodles and lots of text in the white space and in my photos. So here goes...as I am holding my breath....lol!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...0&ppuser=39317

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com...0&ppuser=39317

evergreen100 · 07-14-2006, 08:52 PM

Here am I, peeping around the corner cautiously, hoping no one will notice me in case I make a big idiot of myself

, feeling all jittery and nervous about putting a toe outside my safe little box, tentatively stating my intention (at this moment anyway) of participating in this challenge because Debb is THE BESTEST TEACHER!!!!!!!!!!!Maybe I'll just lurk and learn...Hmmmm

07-14-2006, 08:53 PM

NO lurking!! You must try to learn!! And your layouts are always wonderful! So get busy creating! Debb will gently coach us along!

*boobearsmama1* · 07-14-2006, 09:02 PM

I am really nervous to try this one, also. It actually doesnt look that easy. I don't even know where to start. I want to try it, but I just don't know....

**shazzt** · 07-14-2006, 09:30 PM

This is well timed Debb - I just got the Freestyle book by Autumn Leaves (no doubt available in a scrapbook shop near you). You summed up the look perfectly in your introduction. Interestingly (for those of us that are a bit "freestyle challenged") one of the artists in the book has a very clean, linear style. Go figure - I guess when anything goes, anything goes!! It is a style I would like to experiment with - maybe this challenge will get me going finally. Maybe I should take my inspiration from the state of my house - definately "freestyle" LOL (is this why I like my pages neat and tidy???). BTW - there is a "Freestyle" blog at the Autumn Leaves site if you want to have a look at what the girls who wrote the book are up to and see some layout examples.

LindaBelle · 07-14-2006, 09:50 PM

Please, please, please...NO lurking you guys!!!
And NO being nervous about this!!!
Even though, like Debb said, you should keep some basic design "rules" in mind, there is no exact right or wrong way to approach freestyle layouts!!!
There should be a great sense of freedom and a joyful sense of playfulness as you put together your ideas. Nobody here gets to be the "layout police" and judge you if you break a "rule"...

...so please stop worrying!!!

The secret to my "freestyle" layouts....(and this is no big secret)....is that I never, ever know how a "freestyle" layout is going to turn out. I never plan it out....I just start playing. If I were really worried about my lack of direction or "knowledge" I'd never get going, would never play, and ultimately would have no layouts to show.
I'm not saying that this is the way you need to approach your layouts, but just that it is possible to begin playing even if you have no set plan or ideas.

So please...see this as an opportunity to EXPERIMENT!!!...and have fun while you're doing it!!!

Okay...now stepping down off my soap box....

.....Here's an example to get you thinking about some possibilities.
Dream Big

I started this with a picture and the idea that I wanted to convey the conversation I had with my son when this photo was taken. No further plan...so I just started to play, and play and play. (Gotta love the delete button!!)
The result definitely has the freestyle look, which went well with the silly conversation...it has writing on the picture (GASP!), lots of doodles, freeform journaling along the doodles, a fanciful and not very realistic version of a globe, and a grungled frame around the photo...to name a few things.

But it's not all chaos either...if you can see some regular design principles here...COOL!!...if not, don't worry, just enjoy and enjoy your own discovery process.

Jani · 07-14-2006, 10:23 PM

Dare to be brave, huh?