How do you start making a kit? - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

717sherry · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

I was wondering how all you designers go about making your own kits. I use DIP9. Do you use a regular photo software program or something way more fancy? I would love to be able to make my own kits- so then I can share them here for free and also still use them myself for business if I wanted. I'm assuming a good deal of computer knowledge is needed and obviously a feel for what is "in" in the scrapbook world. If someone can start me in the right direction I would appreciate it so much. Thanks.

kimberlynsmommy · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Hi! I think the software that you have would be fine for creating kits, I know that there are designers who use DIP.

As far as how to go about it, look around you. Look at color combinations, things that look good together, and when you find something you like run with it! I find tons of cool color combos looking at clothing, or even housewares and things like that online.

After you have a color scheme just go for it! I usually start with a couple of patterned backgrounds to get the "feel" of the kit. If its a beach kit, think of what kind of beach things you'd like. If its seasonal, think about the things that remind you of that season. Anything goes. Most of all, have fun and enjoy it!

717sherry · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Thanks for the reply- let me back the truck up!!

When I mean "How do you make a kit" I realllllly mean- how? Do you just scan various things you see and then put them together in the computer. Such as sticking a shirt on the scanner, or whatever object. Wouldn't that also be a copyright issue with whomever designed the fabric or product. I am all for going around my house or the local fabric store looking for "kit" pieces. Is it really as simple as scanning it in and then some how putting it together?

Nevermore · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

My question is not so much how you start but how you finish...sigh...you are right to be concerned about copyright, especially as it affects fonts. My biggest problem so far with kits or any other shared elements is fonts. What I freely use in my layouts cannot so freely be used in my give aways! I believe that the same considerations apply to scanning things in but I suspect that there is some "drift" here as in direct scanning of papers is probably more a problem than scanning that old pair of pajamas you have had for ten years. Some people will no doubt think that it is all wrong and that everything should be created from scratch unless you are using material you know to be copyright free such as Dover. The whole area is rife with land mines. One of the reasons I am churning out kits at the rate of approximately one per year is I have gone the "do it all from scratch" routine except for those items that I beg "real designers" to let me use.

mom2miracleZ · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

i am interested in making my own stuff as well and would like to know how do you go about "making" it. That's a "class" that i would like to see happen here. I have psp 9. I can do "simple" stuff.. like backgrounds.. just use the fill color tool..LOL but that's about as created i've gotten. I'm interested in making all the other stuff.. embellishments, brushes.. tags, all that good neat little stuff that makes you go "ahhh" in a kit.

leeandra · #6 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Most designers I know do not really scan things in. They use clip art, brushes, filters, and custom or standard shapes to create elements and papers that look realistic. They might scan in a piece of fabric for a texture, but otherwise, no.

For instance, to create an eyelet, create a 2 x 2 document with a transparent background. Select the custom shape tool and pick the shape that looks just like an eyelet. Drag it across the document until you get the size you want. Keep as is or add an action, style, or brush to make it look metallic, wooden, etc. etc. Save as a .png file. Voila!

I'm fairly sure that once a designer makes an eyelet, brad, etc. then they keep that element to use in future kits and then just have to change size/color/texture to make it look different.

HTH!

shelleyrae · #7 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Sherry:
There is plenty of information in the tutorials section on creating elements in DIP that would be put together to create a kit. Starting with Creative Backgrounds http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...icle_151.shtml and then moving on to things like tags, eyelets, ribbons etc etc. Designing kits should come after you have become totally comfortable with your program and can stretch your skills.

Copyright is an issue, even if you are giving away the kit for free. For designs many people use commercial licence designs from software such as Hemera and Dover Design as well as dings. Scanning fabric etc is against copyright, even older fabric. While Im not a commercial designer when I do design kits i start with a color scheme, then a theme of sorts and then just start ..usually with the paper design and go from there.

Abby:
The same applies for you. There are tutorials to help you create your own elements http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...index_24.shtml

HTH

Mar1anneC · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005

There is a yahoo group called the "ElementKitGang" that you might find helpful. They go through a cycle where you create different parts of your kit each week. They send out lists of tutorials too.