Go Make Something » Layout Templates

Layout #12 – Three Bands

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:44:45 +0000

This layout template is simply three bands of different widths, stacked narrowest on top, and widest on the bottom. Each band can be treated as a separate element. You can use patterned or solid papers, or a strip of collage work to create each block.

Here’s and ATC template with an example, made from a Bits & Pieces digital sheet from Ten Two Studios. Since two of the papers I wanted to use were striped, I simply used one horizontally and one vertically to give them different looks. That also helped me integrate the square image.

I’ve used another Bits & Pieces sheet to create this quarter-sheet sized card. The mixing of patterns is more subtle here.

Here are guides for a landscape card, and a six inch square:

Layout #11 – Corner Pocket With Band

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:31:26 +0000

This layout template takes the previous corner pocket guide, and adds a band close to the bottom. I’ve shown the guides with a tag tucked in the pocket, but you can use whatever you like. The band might be used as a piece of trim or lace, or to write a quote or sentiment.

Here’s and ATC template with an example, made from a Bits & Pieces digital sheet from Ten Two Studios. Notice how I alternate layers between light and dark? Contrast will help this design along.

I’ve used another Bits & Pieces sheet to create this quarter-sheet sized card. I’ve shamlessly mixed patterns here, simply varying the size of the design, and alternating light and dark layers.

Here are guides for a landscape card, and a six inch square:

Layout #10 – Corner Pocket

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:24:25 +0000

This layout template creates a triangular corner pocket. I’ve shown the guides with a tag, but you can tuck whatever you like into the pocket

Here’s and ATC template with an example, made from a Bits & Pieces digital sheet from Ten Two Studios. I’ve decorated the black corner pocket with a strip of patterned paper.

I’ve used another Bits & Pieces sheet to create this quarter-sheet sized card. Don’t be afraid to mix patterned papers!

Here are guides for a landscape card, and a six inch square:

Layout #9 – Faux Envelope

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 25 May 2008 23:19:20 +0000

This layout template is based on a simple envelope design. It breaks up the space in a nicely assymetrical way, and allows you to place the focal image wherever you choose.

Here are two ATC templates that orient the faux envelope flaps in different directions. I’ve used a bottle cap with an image in it for the focal point of one, and a round stamped tag for the other. Your eye will always be drawn to where the two lines of the flap intersect—in this case, right underneath the round elements. Be sure to put something interesting there.

For this card, I switched things up a little, and used what would normally be a focal image as the right side of the envelope, layering the flap of text over it. Your eye will still be drawn to the round element, but it’s just an accent here. You should end up looking at the girl’s face, which is conveniently placed directly above the round element. That round spot might be a nice place to put an appropriate word or phrase.

This square card can be oriented either way. Here it is flipped on its side:

Oh, and just in case you need it, here’s the rectangular card template, oriented the opposite way:

Layout #8 – Three Triangles

Lisa Vollrath — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:17:54 +0000

Just three triangles, exactly the same size, floating on a background, with a message underneath. It’s simple and clean—I seem to be on an anti-clutter kick with my work right now.

Here’s it is in the square version, which I think works better. I love using plain white backgrounds for this type of card, so the emphasis is on the pattern of the paper used in the triangles.

Using Layout Templates:

The black and white line images on this page are sized for cards made from a half-sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock, and square cards made from a half-sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. You can save these templates to your computer and print them out as guides. You can also simply use them as inspiration, and cut your pieces to your desired sizes without the templates.

Layout #7 – Single Triangle

Lisa Vollrath — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:16:39 +0000

Yep, that’s it. A single triangle floating on the background. I can’t tell you how many commercially printed Christmas cards I’ve seen that are nothing more than this. I’ve done my sample with some poinsettia paper, and a matching green background.

Here’s the reverse: printed background, and a solid triangle. Perhaps the solid tree could be shadow stamped with a message, so it’s still very clean and simple.

Using Layout Templates:

Layout #6 – Circles on a Split Background

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 23:14:57 +0000

This layout is fairly simple: split the background into two uneven sections, and float three evenly spaced images on the larger of the two background pieces. Here, I’ve done an ATC in black and white, simply reversing the background papers. Instead of focal images, I’ve used a word.

Why three circles instead of two or four? Odd numbers of elements are more pleasing in a composition than even. In theory, when presented with an even number of elements, our brains start trying to space them out evenly, but when presented with odd numbers, they don’t. I once tried to explain this phenomenon to the owner of a dress company who insisted on putting two buttons on the yoke of all his baby dresses instead of three—and then wondered why, even though two was cost effective, it bothered so many buyers. Their brains were so busy trying to be sure the buttons were evenly spaced from edge of collar and bottom of yoke, they couldn’t see the rest of the dress.

I’ve reversed the background colors here, and added color to the floating circles. Notice how hard it is to tear your eye away from those floating red circles? You can guide your viewer directly to your focal elements by framing them with a strong color.

Also, notice that rather than cutting my background pieces straight, I’ve torn the edge of one. The transition is a little softer. Tearing is a good way to help bridge two contrasting pieces, and give the finished card a softer look.

There are circles, and then there are circular elements. Flowers are terrific circular focal points, because they usually provide such visually interesting edges. Yes, these are circles, but look at all the peaks and valleys they give your eyes to explore.

Using Layout Templates:

The black and white line images on this page are sized for ATCs, cards made from a half-sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock, and square cards made from a half-sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. You can save these templates to your computer and print them out as guides. You can also simply use them as inspiration, and cut your pieces to your desired sizes without the templates.

Layout #5 – Circle on Crossed Ribbons

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:13:36 +0000

This week’s template uses two ribbons crossed over the background. Notice on all the templates how the ribbons are positioned to create four background blocks of different sizes and shapes? Here’s an art school motto for you:

Asymmetry creates dynamism.

That’s a fancy way of saying that compositions that aren’t symmetrical are more visually interesting than those that are. The explanation of this is long and technical, and has to do with switching from the side of our brain that’s logical and orderly to the side that’s creative—asymetrical compositions bypass that logical side of the brain, and let our creative side take over. ’nuff said?

There are a variety of ways to treat this template. Here, I’ve chosen a solid background, and printed ribbons that closely match the color of my circular element. The eye treats the ribbons and circle as one.

In this card, I’ve used printed papers on the bottom blocks, and solids on the top. The solid circle contrasts with both the backgrounds and the ribbons, creating a much stronger focal point than the previous card. Notice also that the circle doesn’t have to be an image.

Here’s a whole lot of contrast between background, ribbons and circular element. Notice how I’ve used the very brightest element to frame the focal image—you really have to fight not to look at that little circular image.

Layout #4 – Split Background

Lisa Vollrath — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:12:17 +0000

The visual interest in this layout can be manipulated by changing the contrast between the two halves. In this ATC, both halves are relatively close in value. I really like using two patterned background papers together, so I’ve used a purple textured paper that’s the same color as some of the squares in the paper on the left.

Here, there’s a stark contrast between the two halves of the card background. See how different it looks?

Don’t feel that the smaller section has to be filled with an image. Here, I’ve used it to contain the text for an invitation. I’ve also added a tiny frame around the smaller box—this helps to separate it from its background a bit. If my focal point is blending into its background, I’ll often frame it like this.

The background split doesn’t have to be vertical—here’s a horizontal split. A good thing to know about horizontals divisions: always try to put the darker paper at the bottom, to ground the design. Think of the sections as earth and sky—a dark sky is always a bad sign!

I purposely made the bottom of this card lighter than the top to show why this is a bad idea. The patterned paper and image are floating on a base that’s just too light—and they’re not floating in a good way. I should have chosen a slightly darker paper for the bottom section, to keep the eye from being drawn downward to the lighter shade.

Layout #3 – Offset Rectangles

Lisa Vollrath — Mon, 21 May 2007 23:10:51 +0000

For this ATC, I’m keying off the green in the focal image, and contrasting a very light background with a much darker intermediate layer. I could have easily reversed the placement of the dark green and the music papers, which would have created a very different look.

For this card, I’ve used the background paper as my color key, choosing a paper and ink that coordinated for my intermediate layer, and toning the edges of my focal image. I find that toning edges makes the transition from one layer to the next less jarring to the eye.

I must have been in a green mood this week! Because this card is a little more modern, I’ve dispensed with any toning, and used the hard cut edges as a part of my design. To contrast the floral background and focal image, I’ve used some text paper as my intermediate layer. You’ll notice that whether you’re viewing patterned paper groups, wallpaper coordinates or printed fabrics, designers rarely use the same motif in all the designs of a single group. You might see a large floral paired with a smaller floral and a stripe or plaid. This variation of size and motif while keeping the same color palette is one way of creating a harmonious finished piece.

Using Layout Templates:

The black and white line images on this page are sized for ATCs, vertical cards made from a half-sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock, and square cards made from a half-sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. You can save these templates to your computer and print them out as guides. You can also simply use them as inspiration, and cut your pieces to your desired sizes without the templates.