November 29th, 2009
I would love to learn the essentials of digital scrapbooking. Mainly I’d love to be able to make photocards such as the type pictured below. (I’m an Etsy addict that there are TONS of amazing photocards being sold on that site). Do you think these kinds of things are constructed using digital scrapbooking techniques, or designed from scratch by very talented designers? Just wondering whether this type of thing is in the reach of someone that is computer savvy but doesn’t have a graphic design background (but I’m a quick learner!). If so, any tips or the best way to learn would be awesome and which programs you prefer to use (I’ve heard good things about Photoshop Elements).
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29970638&ref=sr_gallery_19&&ga_search_query=halloween+photocard&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title
Yes….Yes….and Yes. Yes, they use some digital scrapbook techniques and materials. Yes, the designs are born in the imagination of the person who designs them. Yes, you can make these easily with Elements AFTER you take the baby steps and learn a little bit about using the program. Many people expect a photo editing program to be magical. They think they can install it. open it and then watch it perform for them like a trained pet. The program is just a bag of tools - really fun tools - but still just tools.
You’re already starting to learn how to do photo cards by looking at examples. If you break them down, these cards are nothing but color combinations, pattern combinations, some text, some shapes (rectangles, circles, etc.) and all of it put together in an eye-pleasing (and mind-pleasing) way. It takes some experience but it doesn’t take any special training. If you think a card you’ve made is cute, so will a lot of other people;-) As you make cards, you’ll get new ideas about what to do on the next one. It’s only hard at the beginning. LOL
There are a number of scrapping sites that can help you get started.
Hummie’s a real sweetheart. Her intro tutorials are free. It’s $5.50 a month to do the advanced work with her. Take a look at the free ones to get a start.
http://www.hummiesworld.com/Tutorials.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_QB-_TyuI&feature=related
http://www.digiscrappingtutorials.com/Index.asp?Type_ID=4
There are sites where you can find free papers, clipart, etc., too. Good for practice but most of them can’t be used in "commercial" work, can’t be used to make anything that will be sold. You can make your own…..
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