What do you use to display example of finish frame job ?

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maycele

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I know many of you use the tech way of showing the customer what the finish frame job will look like with the computer. My question is how did you do it before the computer age ? Etc., the type of wall platform, how was it constructed, degree of angle in order to lay the corner sample and mat along with the photo down, any picture samples would be helpful or possible construction ideas. Sorry, I still work in the old style of touchy, feel. Need possible ideas instead of just laying down flat on counter?
 
One visualisation technique I have always used is to put the mat/molding chevrons on the work, in the top left corner. Stand back, hold out your arms so that your hands cover the ends of the samples. This way you can better imagine the frame going all the way round. Not exactly hi-tech, but it works. It's better if you can do it on an inclined surface. With canvases, an easel is handy as you can perch the samples on the corner.

Sometimes there have been 3 or 4 of us surrounding the table, arms outstretched making strange gestures and squinting. Get some fuuny looks for people passing the window. They must have thought it was some arcane rite that framers do.:confused:
 
We still use the old way, and it works great. Our design board is made of wood. It has a base with a shelf where catalogues can be stored, and the tilted design part has a lip that extends about two inches out at the bottom. The design surface has a sheet of metal over the wood, covered by heavy linen. We use magnets to hold the art on and it works great. For pieces too big for our board, which is about three feet high by four wide, I put oversize foam core on the floor and we lay the art out on that. Doing so also helps give better perspective sometimes.
 
Nothing against visualization programs.... there is a definite use for it at times.

But if you can't envision it well enough to describe how it will look and the theory behind your design . . . then how are you designing?
 
Johnny, that was your 1000th post! Congratulations! We'll bring the
chocolate cake if you'll buy the ice cream. :icon21:
 
shayla said:
We still use the old way, and it works great. Our design board is made of wood. It has a base with a shelf where catalogues can be stored, and the tilted design part has a lip that extends about two inches out at the bottom. The design surface has a sheet of metal over the wood, covered by heavy linen. We use magnets to hold the art on and it works great. For pieces too big for our board, which is about three feet high by four wide, I put oversize foam core on the floor and we lay the art out on that. Doing so also helps give better perspective sometimes.
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Thanks Shayla, I will have to look into that idea, sounds great!
 
maycele said:
You really crack me up Johnny, I am falling out of my seat LOL , LOL !!!!!.....now back to the question that I had at the beginning of this thread.
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Somehow I don't think so. But my stores have been around since 1976 and seriously we don't use any props. No mirrors above the table, no rising tables, nothing but corner samples set down on the sales counter. We purchased a visualization program when they first came out in 1996 and I lost many thousands of dollars on that little scam. That's why I waited so long to buy a new one, which we will be doing in Vegas in January. But for the vast majority of our sales nothing has been needed and occasionaly we'll hold the samples and artwork up for the customers to see. So, all in all I'd say don't knock yourself out with a mirrors or a specialized easel with holders. If anything would be effective it would be a table that can rise on an angle and I'd consider it a luxury.
 
johnny said:
Somehow I don't think so. But my stores have been around since 1976 and seriously we don't use any props. No mirrors above the table, no rising tables, nothing but corner samples set down on the sales counter. We purchased a visualization program when they first came out in 1996 and I lost about $16,000 on that little scam. That's why I waited so long to buy a new one, which we will be doing in Vegas in January. But for the vast majority of our sales nothing has been needed and occasionaly we'll hold the samples and artwork up for the customers to see. So, all in all I'd say don't knock yourself out with a mirrors or a specialized easel with holders. If anything would be effective it would be a table that can rise on an angle.
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Thanks, thats what I needed. When I hold up the photos or artwork my fear is dropping it and a bent corner or damage. What booth in Vegas?
 
johnny said:
Thanks. :) I owe something considering about 500 of them are smartass posts.
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As I once told a friend who called me this name, I like to think that every part of my body is indeed intelligent, including that one. :)

Maycele, our magnet board really does work well. Something else I've seen people do is to have the work flat on a table with a mirror suspended over it at an angle. Sort of like watching one of those cooking shows on t.v. where you can see what's in the pan. I prefer our way, but people who use the mirror method seem to like it.

There are plenty of people on here who swear by the visualization systems, but I get along fine without one. Plus, we're so particular about the subtleties of color that I prefer using the actual samples rather than looking at it on a screen. This might sound sort of goofy to you, and you might already do it, but if you hold your hand out in a 'C' shape, you can use your thumb and fingers to visually block out the ends of the corner sample and get a better idea of what it will look like.

Even people who have a harder time visualizing will come to trust the guidance of an experienced designer. In sixteen years, I've had about four people who were disappointed with how the final job turned out. The old fashioned way seems to work just fine with everyone else.
 
The "c" thing Shayla mentions is actually quite effective.

There are two reasons we're going with the visualization software... one is to be able to easily email pictures to people when trying to work things out online and the other is to stop the occasional egghead from standing on the chairs, which Shayla's magnet board would accomplish as well but there you have it.

No booth... I'm not exhibiting I'm shopping. Don't know which one I'll go with, but I'm leaning toward Wizard.
 
You just have to be careful with magnets to use the right kind. The place I used to work at had some specially made that were rectangular. When it closed and I came here, I work on the same design board as before, but with round magnets. Each one is a ring, in a steel holder and the holders have knob handles. I put kraft paper over the linen, and hold the art on with a couple magnets. Making sure just to pin the edges of the art down with them. They're strong enough to leave a ring indentation if they were placed completely on the art, but off on the side they don't leave a mark. Two magnets are enough to hold a double layer mat design on the board, and then I have two under the frame sample. We have six magnets altogether, but I'd rather have eight.
Don't know if they were ordered or specially made, but I wouldn't want to work with any other system. This works great, and when we're trying to decide between six shades of white it is the best way to tell the subtle differences. Another good thing to do is hold a glass sample up over your final mat selection. The glass will change the color of the mats but not the frame and this can really make a difference sometimes.
 
Before I had Wizard IF , I had a slanted mirror at the end of the design counter. You place the artwork facing and touching the mirror, with your corners/frame at the top. Step back about 8' and look in the mirror, it appears the art is on a vertical surface. Worked great and customers loved it.



Sorry, I deleted the image as it was huge. Will try to post a smaller copy, later.
 
509344ec.jpg

BEFORE: WIZARD IF
P1260008.jpg




and AFTER WIZARD IF
 
we toss them down in the grass or parking lot and stand back to see how they look...just kidding...we have a very similar setup to Shayla's ....plus its fun to play with the magnets when it gets slow.
 
I have used the mirror technique, though I currently am using the magnet board pre-fabricated by Bainbridge. The mirror was FAR SUPERIOR and simpler to use and for customers to visualize with. In the mirror set-up gravity is your friend and design aide, with the magnets you fight gravity constantly.The magnets and plastic corners for holding mat board samples are dicey and will not allow for all the window width variables that make life so rich.Fussing with the plastic corners and fillets and changing the width of reveals slows down the design process, the excitement starts to flag and you feel muddled wrestling with it all. I dont use the mirror now due to store lay out...though next remodel I will make it a point to work it into the design.

The key that made the mirror work so good was the table it set on was at chest level, that made the image at eye level. It lent itself to very natural viewing for the customer and maneuvering for the designer. It had been a manufactured black case with the mirror in the lid, it was purchased aprox. 35 years ago. It saved the hassle of a build out. I would buy another in a heart beat if I could find one.
 
j Paul said:
Before I had Wizard IF , I had a slanted mirror at the end of the design counter. You place the artwork facing and touching the mirror, with your corners/frame at the top. Step back about 8' and look in the mirror, it appears the art is on a vertical surface. Worked great and customers loved it.
Click to expand...

That's a nice setup, j. I dig the mirror at the end of the table. What software are you using on that flatpanel above the counter?

David
 
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