Layout Critique: The Rules
UPDATE: After reading through the comments from my previous post about starting a layout critique, I wanted to make one thing clear:
These rules will only apply to the layouts that I post here in the blog that are specifically marked for layout critique. We will focus on 1 layout per week. Of course these tips can be used when you are commenting on layouts in general, but since it does take time and effort, I think if we focus our efforts the payoff will be greater. If things go well, I can always increase the frequency of posting.
As I said, I will start off by posting one of my own layouts. If you are interested in submitting one of your layouts to be critiqued, please attach it and email to [email protected]
--
It's pretty easy to get stuck in a creative rut. I know I've gotten to the point where I know how to do lots of things, and so I do them and the push to learn something new isn't quite as strong. Also, I've always struggled with how to know what I'm missing. There's no big list somewhere: "All the Things Marisa Doesn't Know." Instead I kind of flounder around and hope I stumble across something that's helpful.
I came across this article a while ago in my browsing, and I thought to myself "that's cool." And it was only this afternoon that it occurred to me that we could do the same thing with layouts. Spending a few, focused minutes on what you like and don't like is a great way to boost creativity. Also, I'm hoping to do some research and figure out some useful tips for good design, so that we can double the learning.
I'm going to post the rules here so people can look over them. Please leave any comments with suggestions so that I can finalize them before I put up the first layout. Since it's my idea, I'll be the guinea pig and offer up one of my own layouts first. I'll post it sometime next week once we've got the plan ironed out.
If you'd like to submit a layout, please attach it and email to [email protected]
The Rules
1. Critiques should be left as a "good feeling sandwich," as in:
- what you like
- what can be improved
- what you like
2. Please be as specific as you can.
Comments such as these are not helpful:
- I like those colors.
- I don't like purple.
- Great photo.
Instead, try specifics:
- That blue color really pops against the background.
- The purple you chose seems to clash with the other colors.
- Using a B&W photo really emphasizes the mood of the layout.
An example comment:
- I like the how the papers match the clothing in the photo.
- The layout looks cluttered. There is no central point that draws the eye. Try adding some more empty space to help bring the eye to the focus.
- The sizes of the elements are realistic and the layout looks like someone's messy desk. Great realism!
I will keep my eye on the comments and any that don't follow these rules will be deleted.
I think this could really help everyone who participates to improve their layouts. Not only will one person get lots of suggestions, but in looking closely at other layouts you'll learn what you like and don't like. Does this sound good to you?
Blog By
About Me
Hi There! I’m Marisa Lerin and you’ll see me around at DigitalScrapbook.com a lot. I started this site in 2010 soon after I discovered a new love in digital scrapbooking. DigitalScrapbook.com has gone through some significant changes since that time and it’s grown into this lovely community site you are seeing now. I am daily surprised by the turn of life’s events that has led me down this path. If you're new to the site, welcome! Here are a few tidbits about me that I hope will help you get to know me better!
I’m originally from Minnesota, USA, but spent a good chunk of my childhood living abroad (in Bolivia and Hong Kong). I returned to Minnesota to attend university, got married and then moved overseas again (Korea, then Jordan and 1 year of traveling). My designs are heavily influenced by these many nomadic years. I am currently back in the USA, now living in the great state of Oregon!
I have no official training for what I’m doing, since I decided very wisely (haha) to study physics in university. I am always learning new things about digital scrapbooking, and this community has been immensely helpful for that!
If I manage to stop digital scrapbooking you will probably find me watching TV, reading or baking. I also enjoy writing for the blog here at DigitalScrapbook.com where I talk about whatever happens to be catching my fancy at the moment.
Monthly archive
- November 2012 (9)
- December 2012 (37)
- January 2013 (17)
- February 2013 (13)
- March 2013 (20)
- April 2013 (26)
- May 2013 (29)
- June 2013 (9)
- July 2013 (8)
- August 2013 (13)
- September 2013 (16)
- October 2013 (14)
- November 2013 (16)
- December 2013 (12)
- January 2014 (15)
- February 2014 (9)
- March 2014 (15)
- April 2014 (11)
- May 2014 (4)
- June 2014 (9)
- July 2014 (8)
- August 2014 (7)
- September 2014 (8)
- October 2014 (13)
- November 2014 (6)
- December 2014 (3)
- January 2015 (13)
- February 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (14)
- April 2015 (13)
- May 2015 (12)
- June 2015 (11)
- July 2015 (10)
- August 2015 (8)
- September 2015 (7)
- October 2015 (10)
- November 2015 (8)
- December 2015 (10)
- January 2016 (7)
- February 2016 (6)
- March 2016 (8)
- April 2016 (7)
- May 2016 (8)
- June 2016 (8)
- July 2016 (6)
- August 2016 (5)
- September 2016 (8)
- October 2016 (8)
- November 2016 (11)
- December 2016 (7)
- January 2017 (6)
- February 2017 (12)
- March 2017 (10)
- April 2017 (7)
- May 2017 (9)
- June 2017 (9)
- July 2017 (10)
- August 2017 (7)
- September 2017 (11)
- October 2017 (8)
- November 2017 (9)
- December 2017 (8)
- January 2018 (8)
- February 2018 (8)
- March 2018 (8)
- April 2018 (4)
- May 2018 (9)
- June 2018 (9)
- July 2018 (4)
- August 2018 (5)
- September 2018 (13)
- October 2018 (19)
- November 2018 (18)
- December 2018 (14)
- January 2019 (23)
- February 2019 (20)
- March 2019 (17)
- April 2019 (14)
- May 2019 (17)
- June 2019 (14)
- July 2019 (8)
- August 2019 (3)
- September 2019 (14)
- October 2019 (17)
- November 2019 (16)
- December 2019 (6)
- January 2020 (14)
- February 2020 (20)
- March 2020 (16)
- April 2020 (18)
- May 2020 (19)
- June 2020 (16)
- July 2020 (8)
- August 2020 (5)
- September 2020 (8)
- October 2020 (10)
- November 2020 (10)
- December 2020 (7)
- January 2021 (4)
- February 2021 (9)
- March 2021 (8)
- April 2021 (7)
- May 2021 (7)
- June 2021 (7)
- July 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (7)
- September 2021 (8)
- October 2021 (5)
- November 2021 (7)
- December 2021 (6)
- January 2022 (5)
- February 2022 (7)
- March 2022 (9)
- April 2022 (6)
- May 2022 (7)
- June 2022 (4)
- July 2022 (2)
- August 2022 (1)
- September 2022 (3)
- October 2022 (6)
- November 2022 (4)
- December 2022 (6)
- January 2023 (4)
- February 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (6)
- April 2023 (5)
- May 2023 (5)
- June 2023 (5)
- July 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (5)
- October 2023 (4)
- November 2023 (4)
- December 2023 (5)
- January 2024 (4)
- February 2024 (5)
- March 2024 (4)
Recent Comments
Thank you Marisa for starting this. I think it's a great idea. I know for myself that someone else's view is always welcome. I believe the DigitalScrapbook.com community could be very helpful. I love new ideas.
See here for a clarification: https://www.digitalscrapbook.com/blog/layout-critique-clarification
It definitely sounds like a good idea ... I'm always looking for feedback.
I think that it's helpful to provide a structure for feedback. I'm wondering if this would apply to every layout we post or just layouts in a specific section. I think it's valuable to allow people to give unstructured, spontaneous comments too.
I love getting feedback. I think this is a great idea!
I really like this. It is hard to always just say I like this or not but I think it is nice to hear what other people see because I can only see what is in my mind. Wait, that doesn't really make sense but I think you guys know what I mean. LOL! :)
All of this sounds great to me! I agree with Trine, it's so nice to come here every day and leave having learned something new! Thank you.
One question, what is going to inspire members to comment? It seems there is not a lot of commenting on layouts, not only here but at most scrapbooking sites. You'll notice at other sites only the moderators faithfully commenting on layouts.
I LOVE that you never stop educating us! That is exactly what makes this site stand out from the crowd. Every time I come here (read: every day) I go away a little wiser, a little inspired and a lot richer. Your comment rules are wonderful. I think we have all experienced loads of comments - kind and cruel alike - that could bring us no further in any direction. I look forward to reading comments from now on :)
XOXO
Sounds like a very helpful and educational activity - both for the designer and the audience.
What a great idea! I joined a model drawing/art group a couple of years ago where I learned a lot from the teacher walking around giving instructions, but I learned the most from the few minutes at the end of art class, where everyone turned their work towards each other and we would critique each others drawings (in a good way). It makes you look at your own work with another view, and it makes you discover what exactly strikes you in the work of others. I noticed I would incorporate what I liked in someone else's work in the next class, and that the pitfalls of drawing human anatomy were easier to handle because you saw and learned from the same mistakes being made by others.
I like this idea. My layouts ALL look the same. Some ideas would be great!
I was going to say, even before I saw the link, that it sounded a lot like what they did at Click it up a Notch. It's a great idea. I know we all get in ruts, and it's really hard to know what you don't know.
I like that. This way if we post a layout then people will say what is good or not, is that right?
By seeing people's comments we will know what to improve or do away with.
Will this be used for contests or for layouts in general?
This should be a very helpful, growth experience, especially with a group such as this. All the comments I've read have been supportive and kind. Thank you, Marisa. I'm continually impressed at how much time and effort both you and Jordan invest in this site.
I love this idea! Sometimes it is so helpful to get a fresh "outside eye" when you've been staring at the same page so long you just can't see it anymore. It also helps my own creativity to really analyze why I like or don't like someone else's work. And of course, keeping it all kind and happy is the way to go!
this is a good idea and i believe you've grown a safe community where this can be accomplished. it might help folks to remember to focus on the art of the LO and being careful not to critique the style of the LO. comments on the art can be very helpful, but everyone has different tastes in style. kindness goes a long way and is never wasted :)