Use basic shapes that echo to the elements in your story and the viewer will make the connection.
Lisa Dickinson told the story of a summer full of roller coaster rides with her kids using a curvy foundation that we associate with the tracks of the amusement park ride.
Roller Coaster Days by Lisa Dickinson | Supplies: kit (Studio Calico – Elmwood Park}; patterned paper (Echo Park, Authentique, Basic Grey, Studio Calico);stickers (Pink Paislee, American Crafts, October Afternoon); tags (Basic Grey); flags (October Afternoon); metal badges (Studio Calico); pen (American Crafts); font (Typenoksidi); vintage ticket, machine stitching, twine
See this layout in MSD Top 10