In design, blocking is the arrangement of design units into groups or blocks following a pre-determined pattern or sequence. In layman terms, blocking can be compared to the building blocks of a layout – a determined pattern where to place photos, text, elements or paper.

In the three examples below, we have a clear division of the paper into harmonious rows and columns of squares, where the pictures or accent papers fill the space. Blocks here are used for impact and they enhance the design with strong, clean and clear lines.

Christmas Joy by Joanna Bains

Digital Supplies:  Kit: Joyful Christmas by LDrag Designs, Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, Fonts: Popsies.

Editor's Note: I chose this layout to show a layout using a clean and defined block system.

Journaling: Marissa had such a wonderful time at her 2nd grade Christmas party, which was also pajama day! She made a measuring stick for counting how many inches of snow we got and had a yummy feast chocked full of sugar!

Bubbles by Kimberly Dascani

Digital Supplies: Kit: Clutter It: Lime Tones by Piggy Scraps Design (Digital Scrapbooking Studio), Plastic Bright Photoshop Layer Style by Bannerwoman (Mega-Doodle Inspired Store), Software: Photoshop Creative Suite 3, Fonts: Myriad Pro.

Editor's Note: This is another perfect example of a page dominated by a clean blocking system where every space is perfectly filled with pictures.

JJ Fall Pictures by Jenni Medina

Digital Supplies:  Kit: Autumn's Allure Bundle by Kathy Winters Designs (GingerScraps), Template by Kimberkatt (The Studio), Software: Adobe Photoshop 6, Font Khmer UL.

Design Notes: I really loved how I could showcase so many pictures on this one layout. I love stitching and the stitching on this layout made it look like a quilt. It reminds me of the quilts my grandma made when I was a child.

Journaling: Falling leaves all around.