Collage Layout Ideas

I was first drawn to scrapbooking because I loved collage layouts.  I especially loved how people could take a bunch of pictures and make them into a shape and it remains one of my favorite techniques to use on occasion.  This month we have focused a lot on ways you can use a lot of photos on a layout and the projects today should give you some more fresh ideas!  The common thread you will notice in these is that collages tend to make for very theme focused layouts, either thru the actual collage or the embellishments used.  

The first type of collages we are going to look at are shape collages.  I am going to show you several layouts where the pictures are put together in a way that makes them into a shape.  This look can be achieved by using a template or just careful planning.

I based this layout on something similar I had seen in the past.  I had to carefully measure to maintain the appropriate symmetry.  In doing a layout like this you have to keep the embellishing to a minimum, because the pictures are doing a lot already!

This is an old layout I did several years ago, looking back always makes you realize how you've evolved in your style and techniques (:  But I have always loved how the pumpkins turned out and it's seasonally appropriate, so I wanted to share this idea with you!

Claude created this marquee shaped collage.  Again worth noting, she kept her embellishing to a minimum so as not to overwhelm the pictures.  I like how she incorporated the title into her collage.

Circles always catch my eye and this collage circle, created by Tammy Ziolkowski,  really jumped out at me!  I love how well her embellishments tie in with the theme of her layouts.  

The other type of collage layouts is done by grouping pictures together in clusters.  These layouts will show you a variety of ways to do this.

Corinna was able to incorporate 8 different pictures in a very organized fashion on this two page spread.

Lacey Stephens took a free form approach to her 4th of July layout.  She did a nice job of keeping the first page of the layout simple complementing the busyness of the second page.

 Sandra clustered her pictures together in a film strip style full of great ideas for a Disney layout.  This approach allowed her to include a lot on a one page layout!

 What caught my eye about this layout is that the pictures clustered together look like they don't add up to much more than a 5 X 7 photo.  This allowed Sandra to do a lot of embellishing and adding of fun details.

One more from Sandra that incorporates lots of little photos in a patchwork style grid.  Using the black and white really helps to tie the photos together and keep the eye focused on those photos.

Sherri Simmons used ribbon to bring her photos together in a grid style on the first side of her layout.  The colors she used help tie the photos in well with the layout.

Patricia Folchert created this beautiful fall layout which caught my eye because the collage includes one really big photo.  The eye is drawn to that photo with the smaller ones complementing it.

Leinad Coya used a grid with simple lines to create this multi photo spread.  Her embellishments are simple and tie in with the theme of the photographs without overwhelming them.  I like that she kept the embellishments white to help the focus remain on the photographs.

If we've inspired you to create a collage layout, I'd love to see it!  Link it back here in the comments and I will be sure to check it out!  We have a new feature that we have added on here called Idea Central.  It is a tab at the top page where you can find our older posts archived by topic.  It is not comprehensive yet, but it will be eventually.  I hope you can use it as a source when you are stuck for inspiration on a specific topic!

We are looking for layouts featuring 8 X 1O photos for our feature next week.  Projects links or pictures should be emailed to practicalscrapperslayouts@gmail.com by October 24th.  Your 8 X 1O can be cut down smaller, we just want to see something that started out 8 X 1O.  As always it doesn't have to be a new project, just great!