The Framework – Building Your File Folder Structure

If there’s one thing I want you to keep in perspective during this class it’s this:

A HOUSE ISN’T BUILT IN A DAY…

This is so real to me right now as we’ve been waiting months for our home to be built… It started with plans and details, on to a foundation, then to framing and so on.

Today I want you to think about your digital supply FRAMEWORK.

You framework starts with the organization of your supplies in the file folder structure of your computer. This is important even if you are just organizing previews. Ok, let’s get started…

Organize Your Supplies by Folder Structure

•    Original Zip Files (this is a folder that I save all the original zips in and copy to my archive drive monthly – some of you may choose not to save your original zip folders and that is perfectly a-ok!)
•    One Main Folder for all your Designer Folders (I call mine 0KJL_LRScrapbooking Originals)
•    Create Designer Folders Inside MAIN Scrapbooking Originals Folder (for each designer)
•    Organize Kits in individual folders inside Designer Folders

Start Thinking About What You Want To Accomplish and Focus on First

The foundation of organization for this class is using a file framework organized by kit and designer.  The reasoning behind this is that digital scrapbooking gallery etiquette requires us to credit the products we use in our scrapbooking layouts by kit and designer.  So naturally it makes sense to start here!

Please note that I’ve organized the folder framework this way because it is generally the way your scrapbooking supplies will arrive on your computer – by designer and kit. I’ve prepared a video for you on building your File Folder Framework – you could also call it File Folder Housekeeping. It’s very informal but hopefully it will give you a visual example of how I organize my kit folders and designer folders. You may need to click through to view this post on the site if you can’t see the video below:

Now your file folders are the framework and foundation of your organization system. As you move forward in this journey, you will literally be able to view your supplies in any context you choose – which bring me to your next Assignment:

Start Building An Organizational Process Around The Way You Think

I know this is a lot to process, but a HUGE part of Creative Flow is organizing in the way that you think so when you search for what you want you can find it.  This requires a LOT of thought on your part. I don’t want you to do this just like I do – because we probably think differently in a lot of ways!

As you move through the process of keywording your files, you will literally be able to view your supplies in so many different contexts – designers, kits, papers, patterns, colors, themes, etc. It’s all up to how you organize them. So I want you to really hone in on how you think so that the organization process you create will be right in line with your creative process.

I want you to take a look through your layouts in the past year and think about what inspired you to scrap beyond product from a specific kit – was it a photo, template, color, quick pages, events, holidays, seasons, an entire album project, keeping up with chronology, one word, etc.

** If you don’t know the location of all your digital layouts on your computer, now might be a good time to start gathering them together in one folder so you know where they are!

Start a list of what inspires you to scrap – gallery layouts from other artists, your latest photos, etc.  Number your inspiration items in order from 1-10 of what gets you the most excited to scrapbook and what digital supplies you find you go to most in your creative process.

During this process, your list will remind you of what helps you to feel creative and excited to create.  This will all help you as you begin this journey – especially when you get to the point of creating keywords!

This is a big lesson with TWO assignments so give yourself some time to work through it. Build your file framework, cleanup your files and map out your list of creative inspiration…

Have Fun!