Custom Picture Frame Fundamentals: Design and Functionality
When it comes to custom framing in Franklin, TN, customers are always asking what to do with this or that piece, including artwork, photography, mirrors, and even special projects like certificates and memorabilia. So we created a custom frame formula to help them figure out what will work best according to their needs and budget.
Custom Picture Frame Formula
The most important consideration in designing a custom picture frame is that the frame and/or matting should accentuate the piece. In other words, the frame itself should not be the center of attention. Rather, it serves more like an accessory, similar to the way jewelry or a hat can accentuate clothing choices.
This brings us to the our second consideration for designing custom frames for artwork and photography. It should be ideally suited for the location where it will hang in terms of space allocation. For example, if you have a large piece and/or large frame, then it is hung in a large and open area. Conversely, a small piece with a small frame would goes on a smaller wall. Think of your frame in terms of proportions when you consider where it will be hung.
The last consideration for designing custom frames is that the picture frame matches or coordinates with the décor of the room where it hangs. For example, if your home is distinctly country in nature, it looks very awkward to hang a piece framed in an art nouveau style. This comes down to common sense. However, this consideration is deliberately at the bottom of the hierarchy. It is important, but not as important as the first two concepts when it comes to design fundamentals for custom frames. Ideally, all three considerations will get equal weight. But at the end of the day, it’s simply based on what your budget.
Remember that once a piece is framed, it can usually be easily moved around and work with various styles or rooms and changing tastes. But the main driver in determining a design for a custom frame is accentuating the piece of art. If the other two fundamentals fall into place, perfect! If the design won’t work with a certain décor, then consider moving it to a different room with better accents or features that work well with the frame and the piece it contains.
Functionality
The concept of functionality for designing a custom frame overlaps a bit with design fundamentals. Customers often bring us artifacts they have acquired after visiting a museum, vacation spot, or something similar. They bring in memorabilia like posters with large graphics and a logo or photography. These items are not necessarily visually driven as much as they are data or information driven. Think, for example, of framing a newspaper. In these cases, the function of the piece is to display information, so the custom frame ought to be simple. This allows the information itself to be the center of attention.
Custom framing artwork is very different, however. The function of artwork is aesthetics. That is to say, artwork is displayed because of its nature and beauty. Thus, when it comes to framing artwork, we can get into more complex approaches. And when creating a custom frame for artwork in particular, it is perfectly fine to get more decorative with that approach as well.
One final note regarding functionality. A mat board serves a function beyond decoration. Most people assume a mat board is to highlight or enhance the art or photography. And it can certainly do that. However, its main purpose is to keep items off of the glass and to protect the piece. If, however, you do not wish to use a mat board, there are other options that can serve as a spacer between the glass and your art.
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