Creative Forum Discussion: Week of March 16-22!

[stefdesign]

Welcome to this week's creative scrapping discussion! This is a place where we can talk about the process of scrapbooking, and share ideas, layouts, suggestions and support. Please note that this is a commercial-free zone. Please do not link or share stores, kits, or websites to promote the purchase of any product. Links to tutorials or helps are welcome, but if they require a subscription or purchase, then they are a no-no.

Feel free to link to a layout, or insert an image. Remember that links take people elsewhere, and sometimes it's hard to get them back, so inserting your images is preferred.

Let's be kind and supportive, but if help is requested, let's share generously. Opinions valued!

[stefdesign]

Based on our new schedule, the third week is going to be an opinion topic, so the first thing that popped into my mind is, what do you think is the 'wave of the future' for scrapbooking in general, and digiscrapping in particular? Here to stay? Getting bigger and better? Trending, where?

If you are a long-time scrapper (meaning you traditionally scrapped for years before starting digiscrapping), do you see any patterns in digiscrapping that you saw in traditional? (i.e. saturation of the market, fads and trends, technology, commercialization, etc)

If you are a long-time digi scrapper (meaning you either never traditionally scrapped, or you've been digiscrapping for longer than, say, 4 years) how do you perceive the hobby, business, or art of digiscrapping changing?

If you're a relative newbie, what got you interested in digiscrapping? Tell us about your success or struggles. Do you love it, and plan to stick with it, or is digiscrapping just a waystation on your long creative journey?

Everyone: Do you embrace new ideas, technology, products? New styles? Or do you like sticking with the style that comes most naturally to you? Do you like changes in the hobby, or do you resist them? How do you feel about scrapping trends that come in and out of fashion? If you like certain trends but not others, share your feelings.

I realize this topic is probably a little broad, and maybe I have too many questions! But I thought it would be fun to share some of our feelings and opinions about digiscrapping yesterday, today and tomorrow!

[stefdesign]

I wish I had a crystal ball to know exactly where digiscrapping is going, but I don't have that particular skill. I have been surprised the way it's gone so far, in many ways. Some things have been happy surprises, other things have made me disappointed. But I want to emphasize that my personal opinions are different from most others, and so you can take with a grain of salt the things I say. JUST MY OPINION!

So, I personally feel digi scrapping will go the way of traditional scrapping in some ways. Like traditional scrapping, the business part of digi is bound to decrease, as the hobby gets oversaturated. I used to think that because digital scrapbooking is more 'brain driven' than 'product driven', that there would never be an end to the possibilities of digital artwork, design and scrapbooking. That's still true to a certain extent. But because digi scrapping has positioned itself just like traditional paper scrapping, with finite products, kits, designers, websites, creative teams, it's bound to see similar market limitations as traditional. Although you don't have to go to a brick and mortar store to buy digi supplies, you still have to rely on designers, teams, shops, etc to get those products to you. And, as is true in just about any business, oversupply, low demand, low repeat purchases, and other factors, keep the digi scrapping business a slave to market forces. I do believe that it's not going anyplace very soon, but things will change. Just look at the changes that have happened in just the 5 or 6 years since I've been digi scrapping: the rise and then demise of digital scrapbooking publications, like Digital Scrapbooking Magazine. The decline of traditional magazines and publications that used to include digi scrapping, which now no longer exist. The huge numbers of digiscrap websites & stores that have now closed. Designers who are burned out. Big contests and awards that no longer exist. I certainly don't think digi scrapping is on its way out at all, there are still lots of sites and designers! Exciting stuff! But IMHO it's declined in the past few years.

Many of you who know me, know how I feel about the commercialization of digiscrapping. I wish it weren't so commercial. I love that talented designers can make a living creating wonderful things. But unlike traditional scrapping, technically ANYONE with a computer can 'become a designer', so more do than the market can sustain. In my opinion that cheapens the whole industry. I know things take time to shake out, and much of this oversaturation will eventually go away, leaving the most persistent and hard working designers and shops. I just wish the scrapping world were more interested in making beautiful, meaningful pages, and learning new skills and developing creativity, rather than spending endless hours promoting CTs, and creating layouts just to promote products. There's so much talent out there, I'd love to see more really amazing creative projects, rather than scores of cookie cutter layouts. I have nothing against CT members, but I'd love to see more styles, more ideas, more creativity explored rather than just more product.

I do think that one of the greatest areas for growth and excitement is in the art journaling and related freestyle categories. I'm seeing some really exciting things going on. I just wish I saw that kind of innovation in the regular digiscrap categories.

So, sorry about the rambling thoughts. I have other ideas about some of the other things I mentioned above. I'll come back and throw a few thoughts around.

[Craftmomma]

Wow! That’s a lot ground to cover.

I suppose I am a relative newbie. I haven’t been digiscrapping for quite four years yet, but almost. I have been “scrapping” since I was a child, keeping photos and such and trying to decorate the pages; so when my daughter was born in 1992 and the paper scrapbook world was just starting to really boom commercially, I joined in with enthusiasm. And kept up with it until she was about 8. But I fizzled out and only got my stuff out occasionally for special pictures I wanted to scrap. I find that I don’t really like paper scrapping because its SO time-consuming. And MESSY! When I discovered digi-scrapping in December of 2008 I jumped in with both feet and never looked back. At the time, I was preparing a family cookbook for our reunion the following summer and was looking for some clip-art to decorate the pages with. Boy, did I find some clip-art!

I still have most of my paper supplies and tools, but only because I don’t want to just throw it away. I’m hoping to find a good home for it. But I will probably never paper scrap again. I love the digi too much. I love that I can do it anytime, anywhere (with my laptop, of course), and set it down for days without leaving a mess to clean up or worse, staring at me and mocking me. Also, I find that the scope for my creativity is more open. I am not tied to making things I can create with scissors and glue, and again, its not messy or time-consuming. Over the few years I’ve been digiscrapping, I’ve tried a lot of different styles I’ve seen done by other people and I think I’ve settled into “my” style. It is more traditional--classic, elegant, and romantic, I would say. I think I will try other things as they come into fashion, but really, I feel my work is an extension of myself and I probably would not stick with anything that doesn’t reflect my personality. I’m always open to new technology and methods, however. Creativity and experimentation go hand in hand.

As for trends: I guess I haven’t noticed anything really changing yet, haven't been at it long enough. If you look at my stash, I think you’ll see a difference between the kits I was getting at the beginning and what I buy now, but that could be more of a personal trend than industry-wide. My kits now seem to be luscious with lots of detail, rich colors, and very versatile. I have very few kits that are theme-specific. There also seems to be a lot more to choose from these days. I had a very hard time finding the kinds of kits I wanted when I started. For example, when I started I was working on a cook book and so was looking for kitchen-related kits. I found a couple, but mostly I abandoned that idea and went for more generic kits in the end. Now, I find cooking/kitchen kits at almost every store I visit. And they all tend to be similar, too! Also, I just realized I don’t frequent the same stores and forums anymore, either. I’ve found the 2 or 3 that fit my personality and style. Even though I have probably 2 dozen stores on my “favorites” list, I purchase mostly from the same 2 or 3.

I have to agree with a lot of the things you said, Stephanie. However, markets always have flux in them and will stabilize based on the demand of the customers. Although it does make it hard to stay in business, it does generally tend to let the cream rise to the top. The stores and designers that are the best will survive, if as you say, they are diligent and persistent. it is easy to get burned out, but in my opinion, that's usually an indication that your talents and/or attention are needed elsewhere. I've noticed that people tend to come into your life when you need them (or vice versa) and tend to go when the need has been fulfilled. I think the experiences of our lives are the same. Some people start designing because of a need. When the need is no longer there, they move on.

Wow, its too early in the morning to be philosophizing like this! I think digi-scrapping is here to stay and the market will adjust to meet the needs of the customers. As we become more and more technology driven, digiscrapping will move with it. Already, I've seen questions from people about scrapping programs that will work with iPads--its only a matter of time before someone comes up with one. Can you imagine being able to keep your entire stash in your purse all the time?! I'd be willing to bet its coming faster than you think.
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[Craftmomma]

Oh, and another thought, about the magazines: I think they are dying a natural death as well. All the information you need about anything is a simple google search away. We don't really need editors to gather all the information into a single place for us anymore. I don't know about you, but I don't buy magazines, nor do I read them anywhere except the doctor's office. And now that I've got an iPad, I don't see that happening much anymore either. I'll be able to carry reading material with me whereever I go.

You also said, "I just wish the scrapping world were more interested in making beautiful, meaningful pages, and learning new skills and developing creativity, rather than spending endless hours promoting CTs, and creating layouts just to promote products. There's so much talent out there, I'd love to see more really amazing creative projects, rather than scores of cookie cutter layouts. I have nothing against CT members, but I'd love to see more styles, more ideas, more creativity explored rather than just more product."

I have to agree 100% with this. I was a CT for 3 different designers (very briefly!) and this is the main reason I quit. It required too much time selling the product. I am not a salesperson and never will be. I got into for the creativity and the ability to play with new kits and I spent all my time promoting kits that I would not necessarily have purchased, simply because it was required. Which is not to say that I did not like the designers or their work; it just wasn't me. My idea of heaven would be to CT for some wonderful designers and let someone else do the selling and promoting.

[stefdesign]

Originally Posted by Craftmomma

I have to agree 100% with this. I was a CT for 3 different designers (very briefly!) and this is the main reason I quit. It required too much time selling the product. I am not a salesperson and never will be. I got into for the creativity and the ability to play with new kits and I spent all my time promoting kits that I would not necessarily have purchased, simply because it was required. Which is not to say that I did not like the designers or their work; it just wasn't me. My idea of heaven would be to CT for some wonderful designers and let someone else do the selling and promoting.

You said it, Annie! Having never participated in CTs, perhaps I'm not a good one to comment on this, but I feel it's an awful lot to expect so much work from CT members for the privilege of being on a team. I have heard from many CT members how they love working for suchandsuch designer, and how well they are treated, etc. But for me, I just can't imagine doing all that work & promoting for a free kit.

You did say something that jumped out at me: you said: "I think digi-scrapping is here to stay and the market will adjust to meet the needs of the customers. As we become more and more technology driven, digiscrapping will move with it."
That's so true, but the word that jumped out was 'customers'. I guess I don't think of scrapping as being a customer, and I suppose that's just a difference in how I approach it. I approach it as a designer and artist and creative, not as a customer. (Probably just being nit-picky here!)

[Craftmomma]

Originally Posted by stefdesign

..I feel it's an awful lot to expect so much work from CT members for the privilege of being on a team. I have heard from many CT members how they love working for suchandsuch designer, and how well they are treated, etc. But for me, I just can't imagine doing all that work & promoting for a free kit.

You did say something that jumped out at me: you said: "I think digi-scrapping is here to stay and the market will adjust to meet the needs of the customers. As we become more and more technology driven, digiscrapping will move with it."
That's so true, but the word that jumped out was 'customers'. I guess I don't think of scrapping as being a customer, and I suppose that's just a difference in how I approach it. I approach it as a designer and artist and creative, not as a customer. (Probably just being nit-picky here!)

to your first point: That's exactly how I feel. They really ask a lot for a free kit and a little "status" for lack of a better word.

and to your second point: I don't think its nit-picky at all. We're on two different ends of the spectrum here. You are a designer and an artist and that is what drives your participation in the industry. Me, I'm completely customer. I may have some artistic talent, but I am not a designer. Scrapping for me will always be a method of leaving a legacy. Of making sure that my descendents know who I was and what I knew/found out and was able to pass down to them about our common ancestors. Thanks to digital technology, I've been able to collect a lot of old pictures from family members and I feel it is my mission to get them scrapped for the family (even if they don't know they want it). To this end, I will always be a customer and forever grateful for those of you who enjoy the design process. I tried it a little; it just wasn't for me. So thanks for all you do, designers!

[Tiff]

I did a little paper scrapping before getting into digi, but I was pretty oblivious to it all when it was big. Other than Joanns or Michaels, all of the small scrapbook stores have closed in my area. And if I ever look through the scrapbook sections of the big stores (which is seldom), it all feels old to me.

So if paper scrapping is dying out, which is what I see locally, I really hope digi doesn't do the same.

The trend I'm seeing now in digi is classes. And I see designers starting to offer classes too. In a way I'm excited about this, because I think it might bring back the "crop" atmosphere that I've heard about from paper scrapping in the the past, but never got to enjoy myself. On the other hand, there is so much you can learn for free, and I'm a very frugal person, I wonder if I would actually partake of classes anyway.

I hope to come back later and chime in on some of the other ideas.

[fablious]

I've loved reading all the posts/opinions on these topics. It's been a while since I've come across a thread that really gets me thinking.

I've never paper scrapped, and have been digi-scrapping for a little over 3 years. I've pretty much been a fixture at one store most of the three+ years, have ventured out only once or twice, and didn't feel quite as comfortable.

I kinda half-tried designing (as a challenge) and didn't really like it much. I do, however admire the designers that I've seen and CTd for that have amazing products.

And I think it was Kiana that said something about getting a "that's nice" comment on LO's. That's something that's always bothered me. I used to always get comments like that on my gallery posts: "nice page", "nice LO", etc, and it's similar to the term used "cookie cutter LO's"...these are cookie cutter comments, lol. I've checked comments on a couple of my galleries and have the same person leaving the exact same comment on every one of my LO's. I appreciate the comments, it just feels so impersonal to see something like that. On the other hand, I've had requirements to leave comments in the galleries and to focus my comment on something I like about the LO. I understand that, but sometimes there are LO's that I really can't find something I like about it...(I really don't mean to sound so horrible, sorry), but it's difficult sometimes. I understand from both sides of the gallery. In fact, just yesterday I was looking back at some of my first LO's from 3 years ago...Oh Lordy!! I can't believe how horrible they were (are). But there were still comments on them about how pretty they were and "great page", etc. I think I'd prefer honest critiquing over generic comments. But that's just me.

I agree with alot of what's been said about the CT stuff (yes, the hot topic here, lol) I'm currently CTing for one store and am now down to one duo design team...at one time I had the store plus 6 or 7 designers. I didn't start CTing for the "status", it just seemed very helpful to be able to use awesome products I couldn't otherwise afford, in return for my LO's. At one point it did seem as though it was getting a little stressful and more "work" than fun...it was at that point that I let go of a few teams. I really enjoy being able to CT for the ladies I CT for...I miss the designers that have retired or moved on, but I guess there's a reason for everything.

Whew! I feel better now.

[Tiff]

Originally Posted by Craftmomma

to your first point: That's exactly how I feel. They really ask a lot for a free kit and a little "status" for lack of a better word.

I have come to believe that the "pay" for participating on creative teams is a lot more about the status than the kits.