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Post by auroraborealis on Sept 23, 2017 15:17:05 GMT
This is a spin off question from the product thread about what you "don't get".
I'm wondering if people think design team members are regularly told to use "as much product as possible" on their layouts, or if they are just using all that product because it was sent to them, they have a ton of it, and they figure the companies like it. Or another reason? I get that they have to use exclusively one product, or line, but are they also supposed to use as much as possible on one layout (usually with that one lone photo)?
I see some layouts that feature a TON of product that I enjoy, it does feature that product line. But it doesn't help me decide to buy it as I am not going to spend $15 in product on a layout. More often than not though, I pass over these layouts though as they seem unreal, don't use "real memory" photos, and seem impersonal. It is just a "product pitch" layout.
Wondering what you think?
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Post by grammadee on Sept 23, 2017 16:29:08 GMT
It depends on the DT project. There are some that use tons of product but they also showcase a photo, tell a story and adhere to some basic design principles, and I can see how that product line can be used in a meaningful and beautiful way. Sometimes those LO's are the ones that tip me over towards purchasing lines I hadn't thought I could use.
I get that the DT members feel the need to showcase product, and don't want to share personal stories on pages that have such a widespread audience. I just get more inspiration from the pages that have a photo that draws my eye (not buried under piles of scrap crap), and I can figure out how I could fit in journaling if I were going to scraplift that page.
I have never been on a manufacturers' DT, only for an online store once. The DT kits were sometimes a challenge b/c there was little there I would normally choose for myself, but I found a way to work in my photos and stories with those products, and sometimes they twigged my creative brain to come up with ideas I would never have tried before, but glad I did.
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 23, 2017 17:04:35 GMT
I think that the companies/designers create their products with a certain aesthetic in mind and choose design team members who can execute that vision. I don't think it's intended to appeal to everyone. Just like anything else (clothes, shoes, cars) they all have target markets and that's who they market to because they are the bread and butter of their business.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 23, 2017 17:39:40 GMT
I buy what makes me happy. I have spent $15 on a layout. I don't do that all of the time though. I know I wouldn't use everything on that layout, so hopefully I could make a second layout from it. I almost always have 2-3 pictures per page (4-6 per double layout), so my pictures take up more space than the product would. I also think there are a lot of scrappers out there who create for more aesthetic reasons and do use a lot of product.
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 23, 2017 17:41:12 GMT
I think it could be any of those reasons or that it is their style. At times, I use lots of product especially on my Halloween pages. It's fun to do a product sneeze page now and then. Typically, I'm lazy and just do card stock, paper, and some die cuts. ETA: Sometimes it's fun to challenge yourself. I have plans to make more elaborate pages for my heritage album in the Kaiser Kraft, Prima, Graphic 45 kind of style with gobs of product.  |
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Sept 23, 2017 18:30:34 GMT
I am not sure. I see a lot of PL spreads from DT's that are actually quite minimalist (which is why I felt like I might have a shot at making one someday) because it's focus is on the design choices using select product, not heaping as much product as you can on a page. The upside is that the end user is shown how to make a few supplies go a long way, but it also allows them to discern the products instead of it just looking like layer after layer after layer of stuff.
On the other hand, I think a lot of DT members highlight pretty pictures and go all out with product to fill the page because they don't necessarily want personal journaling shared so publicly.
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Post by ellewood on Sept 23, 2017 19:24:55 GMT
I know the look you’re taking. about. Or even chopping up journaling cards that normal people wouldn’t want to cut into. Sometimes I see DT members punching randomly into a piece of 12x12, whereas a normal person would cut carefully and try to keep it as intact as possible. I always assumed this is because they’re drowning in product and want to use it. I think some DT members, for studio calico or Gossamer blue (RIP) got all of the kits available for the month. If that were the case for me, I’d try to blow through it as quickly as possible before I needed to build an addition into my house to keep it all.
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May 11, 2024 19:27:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2017 20:09:56 GMT
I'm a habitual offender on product vomit and it's for no reason other than I like it.
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Post by auroraborealis on Sept 23, 2017 21:04:11 GMT
Hmm, this all has me thinking of this in a new way, you are all quite insightful--thank you for all your thoughts!
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Post by woodysbetty on Sept 24, 2017 13:13:27 GMT
I like to see how they use all the stuff...I often forget to use stuff in my stash this helps me reach for more...and use it in different ways...like cutting up an embellishment....(yikes!) |
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christinec68
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 24, 2017 13:26:40 GMT
I like to see how they use all the stuff...I often forget to use stuff in my stash this helps me reach for more...and use it in different ways...like cutting up an embellishment....(yikes!) I think I held my breath the first time I cut a sticker, did cut or chipboard piece.  |
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Post by woodysbetty on Sept 24, 2017 13:28:46 GMT
I like to see how they use all the stuff...I often forget to use stuff in my stash this helps me reach for more...and use it in different ways...like cutting up an embellishment....(yikes!) I think I held my breath the first time I cut a sticker, did cut or chipboard piece. Thank you ...I still do too!! So nice to have a kindred spirit!!  |
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Post by mygigiscraps on Sept 24, 2017 13:35:13 GMT
I always kind of thought it was a combination of their personal style and needing to use a lot of product for design team requirements. I think most of them are chosen because of work they showcase on a blog or social media, so the company can see examples of what to expect ahead of time.
A lot of people scrapbook for the art of it, rather than the memory keeping. There's nothing at all wrong with that. It's just not why I do it, so those layouts where I can't find the photo don't appeal to me.
Design team members are absolutely there to sell a product. It's like seeing a mannequin in a store window, wearing the entire outfit with all the jewelry and accessories. I might buy the pants or the top or the scarf or jewelry, but I'm probably not going to buy the whole display. Even if I do, I'm probably not going to be wearing it all at once. But where I might leave home in a pair of jeans, nice top, and one bracelet, I'm always going to see someone else out there who is put together from head to toe, coordinated down to her earrings.
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Post by riversong1963 on Sept 24, 2017 14:12:45 GMT
I've been on several design teams. Although I had to use their product, I didn't feel pressured to use an excessive amount on my layouts, cards, and other projects. But I was on those teams back when having a huge following on social media wasn't a necessity, and the companies didn't expect you to not only create free samples for them, but also do free advertising for them. Oh, yes, I know I got free products; but for the amount of work I put into those samples, a few sheets of paper, some stickers, and/or some stamps weren't nearly enough compensation. That's why I don't even bother to try out for DTs anymore, unless they pay cash. Being on a design team is real work, and the designers should be paid real money. JMO, and I'll step down from my soapbox now.
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Post by LisaDV on Sept 24, 2017 15:18:04 GMT
I think I held my breath the first time I cut a sticker, did cut or chipboard piece. Thank you ...I still do too!! So nice to have a kindred spirit!! You two are cute! Have you ever cut a stamped sentiment because you didn't want it in a straight line? and, Yes, I will and have done that. |
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Post by LisaDV on Sept 24, 2017 15:28:48 GMT
I don't mind the product vomit, I like it. It's not going to make me buy though. I want real photos and real stories to buy. You can have a some layouts with perfectly posed photos, but I want the candids. If they don't want the journaling displayed, I'm ok with something covering it (scrap paper, post it, blur it in you photo editing), however, I still need to see a spot for it.
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Post by auroraborealis on Sept 24, 2017 15:51:07 GMT
I've figured out I really need to be expanding my horizons where I am looking at layouts. I'm probably too product-brand focused, after steadfastly following certain favorites (that's you, Sassafras) back in the day. I don't belong to any kit clubs, so I often miss the boat there, but I should probably be looking more that way when different brands are regularly included and a part of the style.
I actually didn't consider scrapping mostly for the art of it, and not mostly to highlight the photos. That would be pretty fun, but I guess since I can't keep up with my photos at all it never occurred to me.
And I actually use a lot of product--I definitely have a "busy" style. But I'm frugal and cut out the unseen backs of paper, save the really thin strips left over, and fill everything out with old stash stuff. Perhaps if I didn't act so frugal (I mean, I'm not really saving money there), I might like putting a whole lot of product from one line on a page. That is good for me to remember that is my own restrictions, not others.
Yeah, and for all the time, work and promotion, DT members should be compensated. They may even have more time to create multi-page layouts, adding more photos, etc. then. But all that work just for product (and exposure, if they care about it), the manufactures are getting a great deal!
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FurryP
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Post by FurryP on Sept 24, 2017 22:20:58 GMT
Maybe because I hate vomit, but I really dislike when people refer to others' work as having product vomit. Everyone's work is different, and just because I might not like it, does not mean it is vomit. I hate vomit and public bathrooms. So don't start referring to product poo poo either.  ETA: I know vomit is not meant in the literal sense, but still. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2017 18:58:08 GMT
Maybe because I hate vomit, but I really dislike when people refer to others' work as having product vomit. Everyone's work is different, and just because I might not like it, does not mean it is vomit. I hate vomit and public bathrooms. So don't start referring to product poo poo either. ETA: I know vomit is not meant in the literal sense, but still. Ti ve fair, I was calling my own pages product vomit. And I'm not offended by my opinion of my own work. |
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Post by infochick on Sept 25, 2017 19:27:27 GMT
This is something I am happy to weigh in on, having recently become part of a design team for my LSS, because the process is somewhat different than what I had thought it might be. First, as mentioned before, sometimes I am given product that doesn't really suit my taste or pictures, so that factors in to what photos I choose...if it is not something for which I can choose photos I am excited about, I will literally grab whatever photo might work and might be something super posed or one that I don't have a story to go with. Sometimes I will end up with layouts that have stellar photos and journaling, otherwise, not so much.
In terms of the amount of product, I am usually given between $10 and $15 worth of product to make a layout. That sounded like a lot to me, but when I actually looked at what that bought it was a bit of a reality check as to how expensive my regular pages are. In my currency it amounts to about 4 or 5 sheets of paper and some stickers or less paper and some more embellishments. I can usually get two layouts of a DT "kit" if I add another piece of background paper, but I do try to use one piece of everything on a layout.
I tend to use lots of the product on the page, just to show a broader range of the collection. And sometimes because I don't have all of the embellishments I would normally work with, I do cut into things like journaling cards or punch specific pieces out of a 12x12 piece of paper. However, I might do that with supplies I have paid for myself too, so I can't say that is specifically something I would do related to DT layouts.
Because I am being "paid" in product for the work and not money, it is important to me that the layouts end up in my albums. When I look at the layouts in the context of the albums they may not always need the journaling because, unless it is a stand alone layout, I have likely already done the required writing in another spot.
ETA: This thread is great for me because it gives me things that I should try to work into (or avoid) on my DT layouts! |
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