I am looking for some project advice, and advice in general
Background
I started a project where I generate a new imaginary bird using machine learning once a day. The photos and description of the birds are posted to social media as well as to my website Flocking AI - A Blue Star you can read more about this project in this post (2022) Flocking AI - A Blue Star The project has been running for about ~45 days now and is getting a good number of interactions.
I have an art show in 2 months (Eastside Culture crawl) where I am going to show off this project. By the time the event happens I will have published 100x birds (3 months’ worth) to social media.
Question 1 - Print size
The images are square, currently at 6”x6” print quality with 300dpi. I can use AI upscalers to increase the size to whatever is needed without losing quality.
What size should I make the prints?
If the prints remain square, I was thinking of one of these sizes (8x8 or 5x5 or 4x4). What do you recommend?
If I add the name of the bird to the bottom of the print, I could use a more standard size (A4-8.5x11, 5x7, 4x6). The prints become considerably cheaper if they are a standard size. 50% cheaper.
I would really like to keep the size of the prints square if possible.
Question 2 - Making frames
I would like to frame one of each of the 100 bird photos. Finding that number of square frames at a reasonable price has been difficult.
If I use a standard size 5x7 I can get the frames from Ikea “RIBBA with matting” 5x7 for $3.99 each. Alternatively, the Dollarama (dollar store) has nice simple 5x7 wooden frames for $2.99 each.
Although using a standard size frame would make my life much easier, if it is possible, I would really like to keep the frames square.
I was considering making my own square frames. I have never made picture frames before.
Doing a little research online I found this tutorial on “How to make a Frame Jig” Precision Picture Frame Jig | DIY Plans - YouTube and a subsequent video of him using this jig to “Making 141 Picture Frames” Making 141 Picture Frames - YouTube
It looks like a lot of work but rewarding work.
What advice would you give me before making 100 photo frames?