Crafting with Confidence: The Power of Design Space®

Updated: Aug 16

Welcome back to Crafting with Confidence on This Chick Loves Paper! Today, we’re exploring the incredible world of Design Space® and how it can revolutionize your paper crafting projects. As a visual person, I find Design Space® to be an essential tool in bringing my creative visions to life. Let’s dive into what Design Space® is, why I use it, how it can benefit your crafting journey and how it works with your Stampin’ Up! products.

What is Design Space®?

Design Space® is a user-friendly software created by Cricut® that allows crafters to design, customize, and cut a wide range of projects. Whether you’re working on cards, scrapbook layouts, or other paper crafts, Design Space® provides a digital workspace where you can visualize your ideas before bringing them to life. It supports various file formats and offers a vast library of images, fonts, and it works with a wide variety of Stampin’ Up! products!!

a screenshot of the Design Space® interface showing a project in progress.

Why I Use Design Space®

1. Visual Planning

As a visual person, I often have a clear idea in my head, but translating that onto paper can be challenging. Design Space® helps bridge that gap by allowing me to:

• Visualize Layouts: I can see how my layout will look before I start cutting paper. This helps me ensure that my ideas translate well from my mind to my craft table.

• Color Coordination: While I can’t see exact details like patterned paper, I can add colors to get a general idea of how everything will look together.

Finished Scrapbook Layout Designed In Design Space

2. Embellishment Placement

Embellishment placement is crucial for creating visually appealing designs. With Design Space®, I can:

• Visualize the Visual Triangle: I can adjust the sizes and placements of my photos and embellishments to create a balanced layout.

• Inspiration from Similar Items: Design Space® has tons of embellishments that might not be exact to the Stampin’ Up stamps that you are going to be using, but are similar enough to see how those are going to look in your layout. They may also help to inspire new ideas. For example, in my Ariel’s Adventure layout, seeing Ariel’s arms folded over a rock gave me the idea to place her over one of my pinwheels from the Stampin’ Up! “Round We Go” Stamp and Die Bundle instead.

Using An Idea From An Embellishment On My Layout

3. Creating Sketches

Design Space® isn’t just for visualization; it also helps with practical aspects like:

• Measurements: Knowing the exact measurements for cutting your Stampin’ Up! paper helps save material and ensures accuracy.

• Efficient Cutting: While I don’t always use my Cricut® to cut all my papers, when I do, Design Space® shows me the most efficient way to cut, saving both time and material. This is especially useful for intricate designs or when you have a lot of objects to cut like the circles in my Cookie Monster layout.

Designed in Design Space and Cut With Cricut®️

4. Saving and Sharing Designs

One of the best features of Design Space® is the ability to save my designs. This means I can:

• Create More: I can revisit and refine my designs, allowing for continuous improvement.

• Share with You: Saving my designs also means I can share them with you, providing inspiration and templates to help you in your crafting journey.

An image of saved projects library in Design Space®

How to Use Design Space® Effectively

1. Start with a Vision: Begin by visualizing your project in your mind. Use Design Space® to create a digital mock-up.

2. Experiment with Colors: Use the color tools to match your Stampin’ Up! paper and embellishments. This will help you see how everything will come together.

3. Utilize the Library: Take advantage of the extensive image and font library to find elements that match your vision and things that you have in your Stampin’ Up! Stash.

4. Measure and Plan: Use the measurement tools to plan your cuts and placements. This will save time and materials.

5. Save and Share: Save your designs for future use and share them with fellow crafters for feedback and inspiration.

An Image of a project created in Design Space & Cut With Cricut®️

Using Stampin’ Up! Products with Design Space®

Incorporating Stampin’ Up! products into your Design Space® projects adds a professional and cohesive look. For instance, the Ariel’s Adventure layout showcases the use of Stampin’ Up!’s Glimmer Paper, adding a magical touch. Similarly, in the Mike and Sully to the Rescue layout, Stampin’ Up! / CTMH Soda Pop patterned paper & cardstock and embellishments complement the digital designs perfectly.

SVG Files and Stampin’ Up!

Although Stampin’ Up! offers a wide range of products, there are times when you might need a specific design not available in their catalog. This is where SVG files come in handy. SVG files can be imported into Design Space® and used with Stampin’ Up!’s vast array of patterned paper and cardstock. The ability to match SVG colors with Stampin’ Up!’s extensive color palette ensures your projects are always cohesive and stunning.

Combination of Design Space®️, Cricut®️ and Stampin’ Up!®️ — Combination of Design Space®️, Cricut®️, CTMH®️ and Stampin’ Up!®️

Conclusion

Design Space® is a game-changer for paper crafters. It provides a platform to visualize, plan, and execute your projects with precision and creativity. Whether you’re designing a scrapbook layout, a card, or any other paper project, Design Space® can help you craft with confidence and efficiency and Stampin’ Up products will bring your creations to life!

Happy Crafting

April - This Chick Loves Paper

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Disclaimer: The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine - This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!