How to use visual hierarchy to guide the viewer's eye
In short: In the world of design, importance is often communicated through physical boundaries. By 'matting' a photo—placing it on a slightly larger piece of colored paper—you create a focal point that signals to the viewer's brain exactly where to look first, transforming a flat page into a structured narrative.
Matting is a fundamental technique in scrapbooking used to make a photo 'pop' off the page. Its primary function is to establish a focal point; by adding a border around an image, you signal its importance to the viewer. This creates a visual hierarchy where the eye is naturally drawn to the matted content over unadorned elements. You can even use multiple matted photos to create a joint focal point, or intentionally leave some photos unmatted to create a clear distinction between primary and secondary subjects.
The technical execution relies on consistent spacing. A standard photo mat typically measures between one-eighth of an inch and a quarter of an inch. While beginners might struggle with precision, experienced crafters often rely on 'eyeballing' these measurements once they become familiar with their tools. A common professional shortcut involves aligning the photo against the edge of a paper trimmer. By using the trimmer's plastic arm as a guide and performing a 'blade nick'—a gentle tap of the blade to mark the desired cut line—you can ensure a clean, uniform border without the difficulty of measuring around a centered object.
For more sophisticated layouts, you can manipulate the width of the mats to create depth. Rather than a uniform border, some designers use a sequence of thin, wide, and thin mats. This variation adds a layer of intentionality to the design, further emphasizing the subject. Ultimately, matting is less about the paper itself and more about the spatial relationship between the image and the background, allowing the creator to control the viewer's journey through the page.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Create Photo Mats | Scrapbooking
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/society-how-to-create-photo-mats-scrapbooking.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Society · Latest · A–Z · All topics
