This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Vic chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
One of my favourite crafts this autumn has been collaging. Collages are a form of visual art involving the assemblage of various materials, including magazine clippings, personal photos, postcards, receipts, and more. If you haven’t decorated for fall yet, creating a seasonal collage is the perfect way to spice up a blank wall (plus, you can even frame it!). For the last-minute Christmas present giver, a personalized collage makes a thoughtful gift. Channel your creativity and make a mood board that expresses your vibe this season.
What You’ll Need
- A pair of scissors
- Glue sticks
- Heavy cardboard or poster board
- Magazines, pictures, paper scraps – just about anything you can glue!
Quick Guide to Collaging
- Collaging doesn’t have to break the bank—Victoria is home to several thrift stores specifically for craft supplies. One of my favourites, SUPPLY Victoria Creative Reuse Centre, has a plethora of unique office and art supplies. Plus, it’s great for students on a budget—you only pay what you can.
- Choose a theme—there’s nothing worse than a collage with no clear direction. Are you a fan of fashion? Scour old issues of Vogue and Elle for pictures of jewellery and runway models. Do you enjoy decor? Get inspo from architecture and interior design magazines.
- Pick a colour palette—choose two or three colours that stand out to you. I chose to include brown, orange, and burgundy tones in my autumn collage.
- Experiment with texture—put down the scissors and try ripping photos straight out of magazines. Jagged edges add contrast to your collage. Playing with different textures of paper can also make your collage visually interesting.
- Don’t start gluing right away—put the glue stick down and lay your pictures on the poster board first. If you hate commitment like me, you can move things around until you’re satisfied.
- Perfection is the enemy of creativity—I’m going to hold your hand when I say this, your collage probably won’t be perfect. Maybe your photos won’t be perfectly symmetrical, and maybe glue will poke out at the corners, but that’s the beauty of crafting. It’s not about the finished product; it’s about the journey and the skills you develop along the way. So have fun and ditch the notion of perfection!
- Make it a social event! Inviting your friends over for a wine and collage night is the perfect, low-effort fall activity! Design a cute invitation on Canva, and ask your friends to each bring a magazine and a pair of scissors. My advice: purchase a tablecloth from the dollar store so you don’t get glue on the dining room table.
With the season of cold weather and cozy sweaters approaching, grab your pumpkin spice latte and create your perfect fall mood board. Happy collaging!
