Point of View: The Screen

Peek-a-boo! I see you! How could something so minuscule as partially covering your face with cupped hands and then emerging toward your little one cause the height of that adorably hearty belly laugh? I recall being fascinated as a little kiddo with taking an object, such as a piece of clear bubblewrap or paper covered with hole punches, and holding it near to one eye and then pulling it away. It caused your eyes to constantly shift focus on objects and perspective through the transparent layers and the placement in space.

Have you ever attempted a cool photo through a lanai or window screen, a chainlink fence, a glass door still foggy from the fading morning dew? It can be an utter annoyance if it defeats the purpose of the snapshot causing the mid and backgrounds to be blurry and the foreground crisp or it may be the cause of a really cool captured image. So was the case in the below snapshot I took of my boy with his remote control car. The distressed chain link fence framed the moment. One of my favorite art classes in college was black and white photography and specifically trying to play with overlays, visual illusions, perspective and superimposition all leading up to the thrill of actually developing the film in the dark room. At that time, it already seemed like an ancient art as I was getting my degree in the digital world of graphic design in which all these design methods (i.e. overlays, superimposition, etc.) were easily achieved with the click of a button using design software. It made me appreciate both mediums.

Let’s peer into some playful design accessories that utilize these screened layers and use of perspective to reveal the same concepts described above and, meanwhile, perhaps it will stimulate your imagination in how you can create visual interest in your home, office, wardrobe, and so on.

Framed handmade prints by Floridian artist Tasha Chapman, such as A View in the Shade in the banner above, are a sure way to introduce overlays of tints and tones and brilliant use of perspective. The approaching seagulls in the foreground crown the billowing waves in the middle ground which frame a stunning beach landscape in the background. Stay tuned - Tasha’s fine art prints are coming soon to Hazel Coasts. Backpacks, shoulder totes, or handbags in woven plastic with mini holes or a woven rattan make ideal beach bags as they keep your contents organized while creating visual interest and allowing for any sand that accidentally gets inside to flow out through the bottom. Check out our handmade bags from Indonesia and Tunisia (see here). Room dividers with some transparent elements are another screen solution to simultaneously conceal a sectioned zone and reveal it partially.

Need more design inspiration? Visit our online store here to browse our handmade products and ideas. Perhaps you have something sitting around your house that could be repurposed or reimagined to both make use of what you already have and to also stylize your space. It’s all about your point of view.