Views From Around The Table...

Having come to picture framing from consumer electronics, I am really enjoying getting to understand a totally different industry, and one that is rife with creativity and an appetite for innovation that I think some might be surprised to find in the world of bespoke framing.

With any new job, the key is to spend time with as many different people as possible, getting different views and perspectives. And I got this in droves the other month, when we sponsored The Fine Art Trade Guild’s first ever Round Table. What a totally fascinating afternoon it turned out to be!

We had 10 framers in attendance at the event in South London, from widely different backgrounds, travelling from as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland. We had new entrants, we had people with decades of experience, we had early adopters who are embracing the digital world, we had traditional self-confessed ‘old school’ craftsmen who will never change their ways, and actually still want their information in printed form, through the post.

As market leader, Larson-Juhl has a duty of care to champion best practice; encourage debate, the trialling of new ideas and the exploration of new channels; but above all to listen. I learnt vast amounts on that February afternoon, and have already followed up on some of the suggestions. One attendee is going to help us with How To videos. Another two have helped with some guidelines for getting the most from social media from the framer’s perspective. I am also reassured that our 4walls magazine is still very much a must read publication with a focus on core issues and services.

We are already planning our second event - watch this space!