FATG live

[gesso]

just tried to read the new FATG web site .....going for a nap ....got a headache now!
mmm just thought of a new career web designer!

[framemaker]

I have had a quick look and I am waiting for my username/password to check out the members area, I will wait till I see that and spend a good time navigating the site before I give my opinion.

[Cathy]

still waiting for username & password too!

[Cathy]

Looked at the new site, the link to my site works fine, but still waiting, no login, password etc,

[Moglet]

At first glance, I can't see where the €50K went.

[gesso]

Just got a reply saying they are away till the 23rd alright for some

[gesso]

At first glance, I can't see where the €50K went.

50k did mine for £50!

Considering they are an "Arts" related org theres as much creativity in there as an accounts conference on a wet afternoon in Grantham. ......50k

[RobinC]

Excuse me - I was born and brought up in Grantham!

(Mind you, I moved out as soon as I was 18!)

RobinC

[gesso]

Excuse me - I was born and brought up in Grantham!

(Mind you, I moved out as soon as I was 18!)

RobinC

Brought up or chucked up?

[Cathy]

for the cost of it, well not too bright , s*d it I'm going out for some sword practice, beat the lads up a bit then I might feel better

[prospero]

Excuse me - I was born and brought up in Grantham!

(Mind you, I moved out as soon as I was 18!)

RobinC

I have only visited Grantham once. I spent a fortnight there one afternoon.

[markw]

How embarrassing - From the md - Rosie signature. 50k and the md doesnt check her own page........ and whatever happened to paragraphs and hyphenation - it rambles like a demented old woman - oh well...

Its not exactly state of the art - on my laptop I can hardly read it as it fails to make use of even the basic amount of space at this size - two much happening that's irrelevant to the page your on - search facility is very poor. 3/10 - with detention for the md for failure to do the final check properly.

Im tempted to say the old site was better than this one - at least the search facility worked well and was easy to use. I cant for the life of me see where the 50k went.

[markw]

Not sure this definition applies to the FATG terms for limited editions anymore - different sizes - canvas editions etc can all be seen as legitimate - no mention of this under print standards as quoted below. What does "The Fine Art Trade Guild print standard sets a maximum edition size and recommends edition sizes of no more than 850" mean? does it set a edition size or does it recommend?

4. Limited edition reproductions

Limited edition reproductions are produced in limited numbers; smaller print runs make the image more exclusive.

The market price can rise over time, if demand outstrips supply. Edition sizes vary but are limited by market forces, not by the physical constraints of the printmaking method. The Fine Art Trade Guild print standard sets a maximum edition size and recommends edition sizes of no more than 850 although, in 2008, this would be considered a large edition, the trend being for many smaller edition print runs. Most limited editions are signed and numbered in pencil by the artist with a commitment that no other reproduction of the image will be made. However, check the authenticity certificate for comprehensive disclosure.

[Roboframer]

Well, after a quick look through the first impression isn't very good - uninspiring and not the most user friendly. Homepage looks like a magazine page or cover, but not a very good one!

Link - http://www.fineart.co.uk/

Just a couple of copy and pastes from the site

"Out of the light

Try not to hang pictures directly opposite large windows as sunlight fades colours and discolours paper. Special UV-coated glass can help to slow this down."

Incorrect! Well, correct that opposite windows is maybe not the best place to hang pictures, but UV glass does not protect from sunlight!

"TO JOIN NOW: Please click the link below that reflects the main business you operate to download an application form. Print this off and return to the Guild office."

Isn't this a bit archaic or is it because a real signature is required? It's easier to join and pay on line than use snail mail.

[markw]

Whats Uv coated - is that Uv filter coated. They had long enough to get things like this right - but didnt.

[The Jolly Good Framer #1]

Having had a chance to look at the new web site in more depth I would like to make some criticism. Hopefully any one from the FATG hierarchy will find it constructive.

•When you get to the home page it is not at all obvious what it’s about. The first thing that I noticed was the add for the ‘Art Retailer of the Year’. If I had no idea what or who the FATG was I would be struggling to know what it was I was looking at.

•The Favicon is for the web design company NOT the FATG.

•To order books from the guild book shop you need to ring up to order. WHAT? RING UP? If I found a book there that I wanted to buy but it was out of office hours, I would not wait I would go and buy it elsewhere. Online shop needed.

•I’m afraid, with the best will in the world, members of the guild hierarchy are not the best people to have in an images on the home page. I’m sure that Barry Leveton is a highly knowledgeable gent and widely respected within the industry but a photo of him holding a board is not very um… dynamic, inspiring…

•Find a Member? Oh dear. I don’t want to find a member, I want to find a picture framer or an artist or a printer or a supplier. Not JUST a member. Interactive maps would have been good. First in regions and then pin points on the region. If I was a member of the public I would have soon lost interest and looked else where.


To be honest the look and feel of the website is a bit amateurish, confusing and lacklustre and for the amount of time and money it has taken you would hope that it would have been better, an awful lot better.

I’m glad that it was not my money that has paid for it and nothing I have seen has convinced me to become a member.

If this was 'Britain’s Got Talent' the FATG would have got 3 red X’s and booed off the stage.

[Roboframer]

Seems to me that the homepage is for consumers - great - but what would a consumer be looking for to find it and what would they do once they did?

I put lots of stuff in to Google from 'best UK Framers' to better catchwords like 'RECOMMENDED framers in ENGLAND' - the site never came up.

[Jonny2morsos]

Put "Picture Framer" in the search box and you get 16 results. Shown below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applegarth Framing (Mrs Mary Evans GCF Adv)
High quality framer offering friendly personal service. Special interest in conservation. Also framing training for beginners upwards.

Dromore Picture Framing(Mr Steven McKee GCF Adv)
GCF Advanced Conservation/Textiles/Mount Design and Function. Down School of Picture Framing offers Guild accredited framing courses. Award-winning gallery with original artwork and limited edition prints. Training Conservation ...

Foursticks Framing @ Funky Scottish (Mr Joe Nicholson GCF)
This GCF is not a Guild Member at present

Galerie Lafrance
Over 40 years' experience in conservation and restoration including structural repairs such as lining of oils, paper works of art, including watercolours, gouaches, pastels, drawings, ...

Harlequin Frames (Mal Reynolds GCF Adv)
Complete bespoke picture framing service of all types of artwork, medals, photographs and memorabillia; textile/fabric art framing a speciality. Personal service guarenteed. Guild accredited trainer ...

Ian Dixon GCF Bespoke Framers (Mr Ian Dixon GCF)
All types of framing undertaken including conservation restoration needlework memorabilia and sports kit. Computerised mountcutting service. Giclee printing - art cards to wall hangings. Six-times ...

Imagen Gallery and Creative Framers of Hastings
We do a full range of frame making, from the best-value budget range up to unique hand-decorated and gold leaf frames. We also do hand ...

Lazy Daisies Ltd
Picture framing for galleries photographers. Designers and a retail gallery.

Leveton and Sons (Norwich) Ltd (Mr Barry Leveton GCF Adv)
Conservation restoration and framing studio with over 100 years of experience working for private customers and public museums. Comprehensive service for cleaning and restoring oil ...

Links Gallery (Mr Stephen Banks GCF)
Bespoke framing service. Range of limited and open edition prints and originals.

McCracken Framing Ltd
Customer-focused bespoke framing in classic to contemporary styles. Specialising in hand-finishing natural woods staining waxing and gilding. Original artworks and prints for sale.

Old Masters Picture Framing (Mr Michael Masters GCF Adv)
Michael and Pauline combine bespoke framing with perfection to provide guaranteed quality workmanship. Framing tuition available - with accommodation if required. Training Accommodation can be arranged.

Pelican Picture Framing (Mr Rolf Lawson GCF)
Pelican Picture Framing is a growing business offering bespoke picture framing and mount cutting services to ...

School House Art and Framing (Mr Kim Smith GCF)
Based in the village of Brampton Bryan some 8 miles west of Ludlow, we specialise in framing to the highest standards of the FATG. We ...

The Rhea Gallery (Christopher Walden GCF)
This GCF is not a Guild member at present

Village Framing Ltd (Mr Malcolm Baxter GCF)
Custom picture framing service covering vertually every aspect of the business including textile and memorabilia object framing. We are able to offer a volume mount cutting service or a ...

Why only 16 showing up? Why does it show two framers who are not FATG members! (i.e. they have not paid annual subs. to be included so how come they are on here apart from holding a GCF). Why am I not there when I have paid my subs. I am in the list of Artists/Galleries.

Also on a slightly cynical note anybody notice most of those named are officers of the guild.

Putting "Picture Framer" in the search box should list all members who are framers which can then be sorted by location/name or other criteria.

I will be contacting FATG to ask some questions.

John.

[Roboframer]

I don't get that when I put 'picture framer' in the 'search site' box - This is what I get

[Jonny2morsos]

You get this message at the top:

Guild member or registered trade visitor? Log in to expand the search results

Therefore this is a far as your search gets you!

John.