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Overview .
Students often need to present their work for exhibition & assessment as well as the usual framing any one would get done for their work place, home or for gifts. The main difference with the type of framing students get done is that much of it is temporary in nature & is done with very limited budgets. because of this there are a few things to keep in mind.
- When using any art or framing supplier, ask what their student discount policy is.
- Ask your educational institution if they have any official relationships with any framers. We have such agreements with quite a few.
- Ask your school if they have access to framing materials & tools. Many schools & unis have such facilities that you can use for free.
Student framing needs : Assessment.
When using framing for assessment, your main priorities should be how good your work can look for as little cash as possible.
- Standardise the size of your work so you can re-use mats.
- Stick to simple black or white mats, & equally simple frames of black, white, limewash or raw.
- If it is practical, mat pictures so that they have standard sized externals. This way they can fit in to a portfolio for easy transportation & display.
- Don't over do it. You wont buy any marks by spending too much on your framing.
- Get advice. Your teacher may require professional mounting & be able to recommend someone good to do so. They may on the other hand want to see your work in its raw state, so framing would be a drawback.
Student framing needs : Exhibition.
Exhibiting students don't always need to frame their work, though it is usually a good idea, as it can make a the finished product more focused & commercially viable. here are a few pointers to make a more successful show.
- Look at our artists & curators pages. They have more specifically targeted information.
- Spend some time at a few galleries. You can see what looks good on mass & what could be done better. You may even make a contact or two.
- Buy in bulk. Framers are more likely to give you discounts if you order larger amounts.
- In group shows, Elect one person to get everything framed. This can mean a better overall price & appearance.
- Keep it simple. All to often we have seen budding artists & designers save up a mountain of cash to spend on their first real exhibition. Fancy frames & over complicated mounting techniques can distract from a work & do nothing other than fatten your framers bank account.
- Give yourself time. Time is a valuable thing & will save you money & heartache if you use it wisely. For instance, if you plan a month ahead, your framer can spread out your workload & make better buying decisions, then pass on the savings to you. If however you give only a few hours notice, you may find your choices limited, & your budget eaten up by VIP courier costs.
- Work within common sizes. If your framer uses pre made frames or works within standard sizes, use them. They will be cheaper than having individual frames made.
- Skip the framing part & get mats cut. We do many exhibitions where students get their work matted so it can be adequately presented at lower cost. When the work is sold it can be framed later.
- Speak to your framer before you begin. They may be able to give you hints on materials to use & what timeframe they are able to work within.
- Choose the right gallery. Although most exhibition spaces are predetermined by educators, when you have a choice be smart about what you can get for what you have. Don't go hiring the biggest space you can find only to figure out you cant fill or afford it. Consider student run galleries, cafes, churches,school halls,friends houses, public spaces, hair dressers & other businesses. most local councils also have community space that you can hire for minimal cost.
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Work exp.
PIcture framing incorporates heaps of different industries. From wood working through to accounting, the average framer has to be a jack of all trades. If you can find a good one to do your work experience at, you can come away with a lot of useful skills and insights.
HSC.
We offer special services for students undergoing final high school art assessment. Even if you aren't doing your HSC, you may find some useful information.
Certificates.
Once you've finished your course, you'll probably have a certificate to prove it. Framing these is a good way of preserving them as well as to show them off in a professional setting.
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