Thanks Living Challenge: October 2012

Erika Hayes, Club CK Moderator

Happy Thanks Living!  Hi everyone, Erika Hayes moderator at Club CK bringing you another fun peek at the Thanks Living Challenge. Every month I post a challenge along with a design principle for you to try out.  I hope you can join us over at Club CK for this and many of the great challenges that take place.

This month, we are talking about a spooooky design principle…OK maybe not spooky but the name of the principle fits with the typical October feel of spooky. I actually had this challenge slated for a different month but changed it because it fit October so well.  We are going to talk about an  impactful design principle called bleeding.

I know it sounds funny, but we really do bleed on our pages, and not just when we poke ourselves with a piercing tool.  I am talking about the concept of using or not using margins in your scrapbooking designs.

If you have ever seen a PowerPoint presentation you have probably been exposed to the concept of bleeding in graphic design.  Much like other forms of design, bleeding an element on a page is a simple and effective tool for scrapbook layouts.

Bleeding in design terms is anytime you use an image or element in your design that touches the edge of your page (digital or paper).  The designer will leave no margin at all, and can even extend the image beyond a defined border.  Bleeding is not only used as a large element, scrapbookers and card designers use it often on small elements within the primary plane, or foundation of their projects as well.

Why do you suppose this design technique is so effective?

Your eye will travel across the bleed looking for more information. The bleed is very esthetically pleasing and will cause the reader to be drawn back into the work.

How bleeding can help in scrapbooking:

• With photos bleeding can give a sense of motion.
• Bleeding can help to create a bridge in a two-page layout.
• Bleed can add intrigue to an element placed on a layout, leaving the brain to investigate further the area in which the bleed has been placed (this is often seen in layering).
• Bleeds fill space, and often used in conjunction with overlapping (of title or sentiment) tie the layout or card together and bring unity.
• Bleed adds deep visual interest to a project and can be a way to set a defined visual hierarchy with the photo being a strong foundation.
• Bleed can distribute weight on a layout.

Challenge: Try using a bleed on your next project and post over at Club CK. I see many great ideas in this month’s Creating Keepsakes magazine and I would encourage you to take a peek into PaperCrafts Magazine, the sister magazine to Creating Keepsakes for even more great inspiration.  This month I would love to see you incorporate your Thanks Living Statements along with the concept of bleeding.

Happy Creating!
- Erika