Most important elements of the brief other than mandatory requirements:
"Explore a range of concepts in your research and development of your own ideas. Consider the usage, functionality and display within commercial outlets when resolving this problem."
"Not all your investigations should take place on the Mac. Digital image capture methods such as scanning and digital photography allow you to import media from a range of sources (photographs, photocopies, drawings, tracings, found material etc.)"
This means that within this brief when researching and also creating my own designs I will look at ideas which use other techniques such as photography and hand rendered artwork.
Research:
What is a photo frame and what are they used for? (definition)
Picture Frame: a framework in which a picture is mounted
framework - a structure supporting or containing something
moulding, molding, border - a decorative recessed or relieved surface on an edge
And so from looking at these definitions I wanted to further research into what exactly a "frame" means:
a border or case for enclosing a picture, mirror, etc.
a structure for admitting or enclosing something: a window frame.
Usually, frames. ( used with a plural verb ) the framework for apair of eyeglasses.
to conceive or imagine, as an idea.
This was a photo frame I recently purchased for my room, it is a brand rather than a store in particular and is a representation of how the backing paper of photo frames are designed. The photographed used in particular is meant to remind the buyer/ consumer of family or friends however it feels disconnected from the viewer. The dimensions and all necessary information however have all been included in a simple grey sans serif font which does match the colour scheme and audience somewhat- it isn't meant to look expensive or upper market. From looking at these types of frames I feel as though I do prefer the high marketed brands or better designed brands because the design is much more clear or creative.
http://www.wilko.com/search?q=photo+frame&searchsubmit.x=-976&searchsubmit.y=-145
These are also examples of lower budget frames much like the one photographed above from my room. The photo frame on the left includes further photography which isn't connected to the consumer/ target audience, therefore I don't think this is as successful as the frame on the right. The colour palette used matches the frame and could be used on a variety of frames much like this. All the measurements are clear and the design within the frame is simplistic (vectors). However this frame's design I feel wouldn't engage an audience incredibly well because there seems to be minimal connection between the design and the frame.
John Lewis
http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-frames-black/p324487
I find this use of backing paper especially interesting because as a photo frame, there is no use of image only text. They have cleverly used a famous quote which would represent what type of photographs the customer would put into the frame- rather than forcing photographs with no emotional connection.
Next
http://www.next.co.uk/search?w=photo%20frame&srt=24
From looking at a wide range of Next's photo frames I found that the majority included either generic photographs of families on holiday/ weddings or much like other stores including the quote "live, laugh, love". However I did find these examples above to be incredibly interesting because they were more artistic and matched their frame. Both frames are white/ decorative and the designer has on the whole created the backing papers well, by using an off white and muted colour palette including purple tones this holds the ideologies of femininity and therefore appeals to its target audience- the majority of photo frames have a target audience for women, elderly people or those interested in photography/ art.
House Of Fraser
"Shabby Chic"
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Shabby+Chic
"In a muted colour palette of washed out pastels and faded neutrals, the collection encapsulates the brand’s love of vintage and admiration for the ‘beauty of imperfection'"
These frames portray the brands identity through its use of colour and imagery. As a whole this brand's target audience is women, through their stereotypically feminine products and use of a muted colour palette (white, grey, pastel tones such as pink). The vector images created on the backing paper of these frames include the logo along with a decorative design which frames the logo. The use of negative space around this highly detailed and intricate design allows attention still to be with the frame. These backing papers are highly successful as they work as a brand- the colour can be changed and processed to fit all types of colour palette (for example those including wood or metal shown above in the screen shot).
Selfridges & Co
"After 25 years masterminding the redevelopment of Chicago department store Field & Leiter, Harry Gordon Selfridge arrived in London in 1909 with his heart set on opening his dream store.
With his revolutionary understanding of publicity and the theatre of retail, nothing stood still in Harry's empire. If something was new and newsworthy, Selfridges had it first and the store flourished under the direction of its charismatic Chief."
http://www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/Our+Heritage/
These photo frames follow along with the idea of history and heritage of Selfridges. As a department store they sell a wide variety of products including a vast choice of frames which include decorative frames and also traditional-looking wooden frames. All these are brought together by the idea of Selfridges as a brand, by using certain type of photography in black and white they continue the ideologies of history. These photographs are on a film camera from when the original store was open in London and therefore the photograph is in context because it is of where it is being sold- and not just a generic photograph of a building.
From looking at existing photo frame backing papers I have found that when creating my own I need to consider:
The type of frame it is, the shop/ or brand if chosen, the media used/ stock and also its target audience and how the audience will relate and chose this frame.
From my research I have already thought of a few ideas which include looking at more natural frames (wood) and hand crafted frames which would suit a hand rendered design. I thought about looking into vector graphics (illustrator) and creating a photo frame inside the frame (using photography terms- frame within a frame which is a form of composition). Looking at DSLR black and white photography which would suit a higher market shop/ frame. From thinking of these ideas I will further look into artists who have created similar work to gain inspiration of the media used and stock.
From looking at existing photo frame backing papers I have found that when creating my own I need to consider:
The type of frame it is, the shop/ or brand if chosen, the media used/ stock and also its target audience and how the audience will relate and chose this frame.
From my research I have already thought of a few ideas which include looking at more natural frames (wood) and hand crafted frames which would suit a hand rendered design. I thought about looking into vector graphics (illustrator) and creating a photo frame inside the frame (using photography terms- frame within a frame which is a form of composition). Looking at DSLR black and white photography which would suit a higher market shop/ frame. From thinking of these ideas I will further look into artists who have created similar work to gain inspiration of the media used and stock.
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