A Coloured Field The groove in this
When the differences between the pictures become even greater, we example runs through
need a more vehement scheme to bring the group together. A device the openings instead
similar to, but more forceful than a groove, is a field of colour. This of being evenly
colour field can take the form of a single opening in a top mat that spaced around them.
surrounds the group of openings cut out of the bottom layers of the mat. Grooves are an
The field can also be another colour of matboard inlaid into the outer understated device
mat colour. Then cut the openings out of this inlaid sheet of matboard. for providing unity,
but this idea may
Again, the most accessible idea is to arrange the openings as not be appropriate
symmetrical as possible and to have the openings evenly spaced inside for some more
the coloured field. Even if the arrangement of the openings cannot traditional situations.
be symmetrical, arrange the openings as tidily as you can inside the
rectangle of the colour field, and the openings will be nicely held
together.
A field of
Just like the groove that intersects the openings, the field can be a less
colour is a more
structured rectangle carrying the openings. Because there is a distinct
forceful device
change of colour, this field behind the openings is a more subliminal
for holding a
device. It can be behind the openings, not surrounding them, and be
group of items
equally effective. It can also add some drama and some design flair to
together. This
the presentation that a groove cannot.
can be done with
a single opening
Another Arrangement
in a top mat or
Sometimes the arrangement is the artistry. To tell the story better, to
the openings can
advance the style, or to create an attitude, consider a layout that is a
be cut out of an
little out of the ordinary. Cascading the openings is an old idea but it
inlaid matboard.
masks differences in sizes while it fits nicely in most any setting. It
is seldom the most compact arrangement, but it adds movement to the
layout.
When the effect
needs to be more
An off centre vertical arrangement of the openings can tell a story and
traditional, the
attract the viewer. If the imbalance helps the effect, leave the groove
colour field
out. If you want the effect more accessible, a groove intersecting the
looks more
openings helps centre the arrangement.
appropriate than
an intersecting
Insetting these angled openings intruding into a large opening is a
groove for
more involved design, but it conveys a whimsical attitude. When this is
holding the items
appropriate, it is artistic and gives the customer something unique.
together.
When our customers want several items in a frame, they are asking us
to create something unique for them. We have ideas and techniques pent
up. This is the time to show off for the customer. The choices for even
these simple projects seem limitless and finished examples will help
customers focus on exactly what they want. Make sure there is enough
The colour
variety in your examples, and who knows, they may help generate ideas
field does
for your next customer, too.
not need to
fully contain
all the
openings.
This
example
shows how
the field
can be
more in the
background.
Style sometimes
dictates a more
offbeat layout.
Cascading the
openings is
Insetting and angling the
This striking arrangement
fairly common
small openings adds a playful
confers an off balance,
and it fits into
attitude. When customers are
informal attitude. The
most any setting.
asking you to be creative, never
groove helps to centre
hesitate to suggest touches that
the arrangement if the
help tell the story behind the
starkness of the blank
pictures better while you show
space is too shocking for
off your skills.
the setting.
picturebusiness 31
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