Rule of Thirds ~ Golden ratio

The focal point of your scrapbook layout design is the axis on which every other element of your page will spin. Everything else on the page blends with this focal point, either leading to it or directly from it visually. As you decide where on your page the focal point should go, remember that it does not have to land smack dab in the middle of your page. In fact, that may be the worst place to put it. To decide where it should go, try imagining a grid drawn on your page. The grid should split your page in thirds both vertically and horizontally.

See where the lines intersect? Those are the places on the page where people's eyes are naturally drawn. Visual artists call this the "Rule of Thirds." Try putting your focal point on one of those spots. For example, in scrapbook layout design below, the artist chose a picture in which the subject was looking directly at the camera as a focal point.

It is important to make good use of the space on your page that does not contain a picture or other large item. The Rule of Thirds suggests only over 2/3 of your total page with these types of large items.

Remember the grid?

Applying the Rule of Thirds to blank space is as simple as only filling 6 of the 9 total squares of the grid. only 6 of the 9 grid squares (or two thirds of the page) contain major items. Making use of the space on your page in this manner helps to ensure that your viewer is not overwhelmed by page elements. Example

What is the Golden Ratio?

This "rule of odds" suggests that an odd number of subjects in scrapbook layout design is more interesting than an even number. Thus if you have more than one photo in your layout, the suggestion is to choose an arrangement with at least three photo. An even number of subjects produces symmetries in the image, which can appear less natural. Information from Scrapbook Layout