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09/16/2007 02:29:14 AM · #1 |
Here is my first attempt at a business card. What do you think?
This will either be the first of two business cards or the front side of a two sided card. I am considering making a second card or putting on the reverse side the other types of photography that I am interested such as outdoor portraits, sports, and kitesurfing and other water sports.
This will happen later. For now, I need to start handing out business cards to some of the stores, clients, and galleries that are interested in my work.
Don't pull any punches. I can handle it. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly so that I can refine this card as much as necessary before ordering them.
Thanks |
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09/16/2007 03:21:51 AM · #2 |
The drop shadow doesn't really work for me - I prefer flat text. Ditto for the bevelling on the text as well.
Originally posted by yakatme:
Here is my first attempt at a business card. What do you think?
This will either be the first of two business cards or the front side of a two sided card. I am considering making a second card or putting on the reverse side the other types of photography that I am interested such as outdoor portraits, sports, and kitesurfing and other water sports.
This will happen later. For now, I need to start handing out business cards to some of the stores, clients, and galleries that are interested in my work.
Don't pull any punches. I can handle it. I'd like to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly so that I can refine this card as much as necessary before ordering them.
Thanks |
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09/16/2007 03:21:52 AM · #3 |
hopefully this isn't too blunt.
typographically, it's all wrong.
which system are you using, Mac or PC?
I'm going to guess apple, considering the font choice (garamond), however, that could be misleading since i believe it now comes with adobe CS3.
enough of that.
here are some "dont's"
bevels and embossing don't show professionality. go look through most major logos/type.
due to the large variation of color in your choice of photograph, you're going to have a hard time with anything other than a solid black, or solid white. not really a big deal, just food for thought.
back to type choice... multiple fonts would be a blessing here. your name and contact information should be different than your logotype... otherwise it shows a lack of creativity/effort.
alignment isn't bad, however, i would consider changing the kearning on some of it. (kearning = the negative space between the letters).
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in all honesty, i feel that you're starting off with a bad base image. ... not photographically, it's a nice silhouette/sunset... but this doesn't scream fine art to me. i feel this is more landscape oriented. maybe it's just my novice idea of "fine art"... but to some extent you have to play into a customers idea of what your profession is.
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09/16/2007 10:25:15 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by SbR06:
hopefully this isn't too blunt. |
Well, I challenged you to rip it apart, but damn! Just kidding. I thought that this was a very good start on my business card, but the two replies have pointed out some things that I just didn't realize. I very much appreciate it.
Originally posted by SbR06:
which system are you using, Mac or PC?
I'm going to guess apple, considering the font choice (garamond), however, that could be misleading since i believe it now comes with adobe CS3. |
PC with CS2
Originally posted by SbR06:
bevels and embossing don't show professionality. go look through most major logos/type.
due to the large variation of color in your choice of photograph, you're going to have a hard time with anything other than a solid black, or solid white. not really a big deal, just food for thought. |
Originally posted by Simms:
The drop shadow doesn't really work for me - I prefer flat text. Ditto for the bevelling on the text as well. |
So, two out of two users don't like beveling and one doesn't like the drop shadow. I still think they look good but I am seriously doubting using them with this feedback. I'd like to get some more ideas on creative and attractive font.
Originally posted by SbR06:
due to the large variation of color in your choice of photograph, you're going to have a hard time with anything other than a solid black, or solid white. not really a big deal, just food for thought. |
I really don't like that look, but maybe I am not just seeing it the way you do.
Originally posted by SbR06:
back to type choice... multiple fonts would be a blessing here. your name and contact information should be different than your logotype... otherwise it shows a lack of creativity/effort. |
The first change I'll make is the font for my name.
Originally posted by SbR06:
in all honesty, i feel that you're starting off with a bad base image. ... not photographically, it's a nice silhouette/sunset... but this doesn't scream fine art to me. i feel this is more landscape oriented. maybe it's just my novice idea of "fine art"... but to some extent you have to play into a customers idea of what your profession is. |
No, maybe it's MY idea of fine art. Maybe I'm pushing that definition a little too far. Lately I have been selling my landscapes without really trying. Mostly 12" by 18" prints and I have one client who wants a shot from inside Antelope Canyon (more abstract than landscape) printed on 4' by 6' stretched canvas. I'm calling this "fine art" and maybe I'm stretching it a little to do so. It sounds good, but if it's not technically correct to call high quality, mostly landscape, shots fine art then I need to come up with another description of what my product is. - - - HELP!!!
Considering the criticism that I have received so far, can anybody specifically suggest what I should do from here? |
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09/16/2007 10:29:32 AM · #5 |
Bevel and drop shadows.. ouch. I like the photo, but wonder how well it will traslate to print on a card.
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09/16/2007 10:44:15 AM · #6 |
Not a big fan of manipulated text on business cards. No bezel, and if you want a drop shadow try to keep it very tight so that no background peeks between the letter and the shadow.
I do type layout in Illustrator (not Photoshop) and when I want a drop-shadow I duplicate text (copy, paste in front) and nudge the shadow layer manually rather than using the built in. No blur. But I don't think there is enough room on a business card.
I do like your text layout, and how you kept it to the absolute minimum of info |
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09/16/2007 10:52:49 AM · #7 |
| I agree with the font suggestions .. the bevel and drop shadows don't work for me either ... I think that using 2 different fonts to separate your company name from the other infomation might look good also ... |
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09/16/2007 11:25:00 AM · #8 |
Most business cards only receive a glance. In that second or two, anything important to communicate must be instantly obvious and easy to grasp. Making that happen is not easy.
Font: The drop shadows and bevel make the name of the business more difficult to read. The typical reader will either skip it, or develop a subtle sense of being annoyed without exactly knowing why. Either way, you probably would not want that reaction.
Contact information: You want your card to be good at helping people connect with you/your business. Take a look at the thumbnail in your original post. Can you see your phone number, email address, or web site address? Use that as a guide to how easy or difficult it will be for the reader to retrieve crucial inforamation without having to work hard to do so. In this case, do something to help the information stand out from the background, and give serious consideration to including an email address.
Image choice, level of detail: The thumbnail images on DPC often don't show the detail and impact of the larger screen image, which typically is 5 to 6 times bigger. That is an issue with resizing for a business card too. What works for an 8.5 x 11 cover page or a medium sized tri-fold may not look as exquisite on that little card. When I look at the thumbnail in your original post, I see as much as most people will see glancing at your card. The fine detail of waves and edges and subtle transitions vanish. Many cards rely on images with less detail for that reason. I don't see your selection as a fatal flaw, but it is worth critical review by you.
Image choice, subject: I agree that sunsets make me think of landscape/nature work more than fine art. Your portfolio shows nature and florals, so this image might fit. Your Rainforest image demonstrates strong graphic design elements, making me think you might have images better highlighting your fine art side. Your web site is down right now, so I can't comment on the match of the card to your body of commercial work. Again, your example is not necessarily bad. In the end, it is up to you to decide what image will best attract people who might be interested in buying what you sell. Make it part of your ongoing market research. Ask people who contact you how they found out about you and whether they have your card. If the card is not doing the job, you can always change it later.
Best wishes for ongoing success.
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09/16/2007 11:35:36 AM · #9 |
Not yet reading the reply by  bob350 (I was working on the revision) I have reworked the business card.
The beveling and the drop shadows are gone except for the phone number and URL which I think have minimal drop shadows. "Fine Art" has been replace by "Photographer".
How about now?
Message edited by author 2007-09-16 11:38:56. |
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09/16/2007 11:40:52 AM · #10 |
I like the new one much better!
I'd also suggest printing one out. Sometimes things look great on the screen, but quite different on paper, especially because of the very small size of a business card. |
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09/16/2007 11:49:14 AM · #11 |
Better. Type is more readable. May want to put your email address on the card.
I took a look at your website (which was down for maintenance) so I couldn't see much except for the banner heading. But I noticed the typeface and colors there were different from your card.
Your business card is part of your brand. Your web site is part of your brand. Packaging you use to deliver your photos is part of your brand. Stationary you use for correspondance, billing, quotes and proposals is part of your brand.
I'd encourage you to think about your "brand" generally and make sure all manifestations of it work together.
Best of luck.
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09/16/2007 11:54:28 AM · #12 |
| I like the new one a lot better than the old one! |
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09/16/2007 12:00:00 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Wenders11:
I like the new one a lot better than the old one! |
yep |
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09/16/2007 12:06:29 PM · #14 |
The latest and greatest....so far. By the way, thanks again for all of your help everybody.
I added email address and moved phone number over to the right where there is more space for the two lines of consolidated contact information. |
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09/16/2007 12:08:36 PM · #15 |
| Now I think you have an overkill. There is no need for a website AND an email address to the same website. |
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09/16/2007 12:10:34 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Dr.Confuser:
Better. Type is more readable. May want to put your email address on the card.
I took a look at your website (which was down for maintenance) so I couldn't see much except for the banner heading. But I noticed the typeface and colors there were different from your card.
Your business card is part of your brand. Your web site is part of your brand. Packaging you use to deliver your photos is part of your brand. Stationary you use for correspondance, billing, quotes and proposals is part of your brand.
I'd encourage you to think about your "brand" generally and make sure all manifestations of it work together.
Best of luck. |
As the owner of two businesses, one of which advertises a lot, I understand the importance of branding and a repeated, consistent look. However, I applied the banner from my website and the color combination was horrible. So I started from scratch and imitated the font style as much as I know how to but without the blue color.
BTW, the website is almost finished (hopefully by the end of the week). |
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09/16/2007 12:15:18 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
Now I think you have an overkill. There is no need for a website AND an email address to the same website. |
That's why I didn't include my email address initially. But several people suggested that it is important to put it on the card. I chose only to put my website address on the card because, of the two, the website address is the most important.
I expect most of my sales to be through the website. I didn't include my email address because I also thought it would clutter the card to much, and besides, most people know that they would expect to see the contact information on the website. |
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09/16/2007 12:36:16 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by yakatme:
... I applied the banner from my website and the color combination was horrible. So I started from scratch and imitated the font style as much as I know how to but without the blue color ... |
Maybe another image would better integrate your brand. I like the one you used but perhaps you have another that would be as good or better choice, the entire brand considered.
Message edited by author 2007-09-16 12:36:33.
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09/16/2007 12:38:51 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
Now I think you have an overkill. There is no need for a website AND an email address to the same website. |
I agree. It adds too much clutter, and anyone willing to contact you via computer will have no problem going to your website to do it. Actually, I wonder if "Photographer" is even necessary. Isn't that obvious?
Other points:
ΓΆ€ΒΆ Keep type at least 1/8" away from the edge at actual size. Cards shift slightly with printing and trimming, and you don't want to end up with type right against the edge on one side and a huge gap on the other. I'd move everything in a bit and line up ProShot along the left.
ΓΆ€ΒΆ If you're going to use colors from the photo in your type, use the lighter yellow rather than orange. Thin, small type won't be legible enough at actual size in orange (squint at the image to get an idea). |
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09/16/2007 01:00:09 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Actually, I wonder if "Photographer" is even necessary. Isn't that obvious? |
This is an important part of the card in my opinion and I need to really find out what will work best. "Fine Art Photography" has been determined to not be the best wording, however, to not include some sort of clarification as to what my services/products are would be a mistake. So I chose to add the word "Photographer" because I think the card needs something other than the business name to convey, concisely and quickly, what I am trying to communicate. I could really use some ideas on this.
Originally posted by scalvert:
ΓΆ€ΒΆ Keep type at least 1/8" away from the edge at actual size...I'd move everything in a bit and line up ProShot along the left. |
I moved everything in a little, but I'm not sure that I care for ProShot lined up on the left.
Originally posted by scalvert:
ΓΆ€ΒΆ If you're going to use colors from the photo in your type, use the lighter yellow rather than orange. Thin, small type won't be legible enough at actual size in orange (squint at the image to get an idea). |
I changed the colors to yellow but it was too much a bright yellow and looked tacky. In this latest version I brightened from orange to a little more yellow.
Here's the latest incarnation...
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09/16/2007 01:20:10 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Other points:
ΓΆ€ΒΆ I'd move everything in a bit and line up ProShot along the left. |
Ditto. I'd make the logo smaller to get it to fit the upper left-hand corner of the Golden Mean better. It's more dramatic in this designer's opinion ;) Like dis:
[thumb]587655[/thumb]
Message edited by author 2007-09-16 13:20:38. |
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09/16/2007 01:28:02 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by yakatme:
This is an important part of the card... I could really use some ideas on this. |
Call it ProShot Photography. Problem solved. ;-) |
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09/16/2007 01:42:48 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by yakatme:
This is an important part of the card... I could really use some ideas on this. |
Call it ProShot Photography. Problem solved. ;-) |
I have the business license and the domain name of ProShot Images. Coming up with this name was primarily a result of searches for a domain name in the first place. After all of the work that has gone into the name it's going to have to stay.
I moved the name to align with the left side of the card, made the phone number and URL a brighter yellow and used bold font because it was difficult to read when I printed it out.
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09/16/2007 01:45:19 PM · #24 |
Maybe use a different background image? have you considered that? To me it isn't a WOW image by any means. You want this card to stick in peoples minds and stay in their wallets/purses. Another reason is, its unlikely people will want to hire you to shoot landscapes, they will more than likely (99% of the time) be after weddings and portraits, thats what they want to see.
Sorry if I sound harsh, but you want the truth.
Message edited by author 2007-09-16 13:46:10. |
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09/16/2007 02:15:27 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Maybe use a different background image? have you considered that? To me it isn't a WOW image by any means. You want this card to stick in peoples minds and stay in their wallets/purses. Another reason is, its unlikely people will want to hire you to shoot landscapes, they will more than likely (99% of the time) be after weddings and portraits, thats what they want to see.
Sorry if I sound harsh, but you want the truth. |
No problemo, you don't sound harsh at all. Your opinion is what I asked for and I greatly appreciate all who take the time to reply.
Regarding the choice of image and it not being a "WOW" image, I get a lot of feedback to the contrary. Certainly it doesn't appeal to everybody but it definitely gets a lot of attention. Then again, maybe it has a lot less impact in business card size.
edit to add----> It is also a local scene that will be recognizable to the South Florida locals who will mostly be the ones to get a card.
As far as hiring me to shoot weddings and portraits, this isn't intended to promote that kind of photography. I'm primarily interested in having a business card available when I am showing my prints for sale. I sell a lot photographs of kitesurfers and I am contemplating a reverse side of this card for that purpose, or a seperate card altogether. Another type of photography that I feel that I am good at is outdoor portraits, especially using the local beaches and deserted coastal areas nearby. Eventually I may delve into studio portraiture, but that is something that I haven't even started to learn or equip myself for. Weddings are out for now until I get some experience assisting someone else for awhile, but I'll probably decide to never take the weekends away from my son until after he goes to college in five years.
So for now, this business card is meant to promote the sale of my prints in person and through my website (coming soon).
Message edited by author 2007-09-16 14:24:47. |
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