New Card, Want Feedback
Here are 3 of several variations on the same card:
#1 Baseline card
#2 18% Colored background
#3 Same as #2 but with slight white lines between images
I would like feedback on white vs grey background and having the photos bleed into each other or broken up by the white line. There are several other versions (#1 with lines between images, etc) but you get the idea.
Since I can get this printed ganged 8 up in any combination, there are different versions with different images emphasizing landscapes, music/urban, kids/sports, and 'general purpose' card (above).
"Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to. Oh well."
-Fleetwood Mac
Here are 3 of several variations on the same card:
I don't care for the white lines, but that could be because they're on a gray background. If you're going to use a rule to break up the images, have it be the background color, IMO. But I do like them unbroken.
I like the card overall, but I think that your name and "photography" are floating a bit awkwardly up in the corner. Not that you should move them from the corner, but it's something to do with the font size/leading/spacing. I guess that your name and photography are not different enough. They don't contrast enough in size and weight. A kind of neither here nor there thing. Also, what kind of photography? Are you selling services? If so, I want to know which ones. If it's just a calling card for a hobbyist, then no detail is needed.
Why is your domain a different color than the other type? It makes your logo not special and confuses your message about what is your contact info and what is your artistic flair (logo).
If you're going to do the gray background, I would make the logo darker, or make the background darker and make the logo white, or off-white. Again, more contrast, but this time I mean contrast like we mean in photography, in color values.
Overall, I would go for the white background, make the URL the same as your other contact info, and fix your name/photography in the upper left so they feel more designed, more intentional.
I don't care for the white lines, but that could be because they're on a gray background. If you're going to use a rule to break up the images, have it be the background color, IMO. But I do like them unbroken.
Thanks for the feedback. Points all well taken. The word Photography was originally the thinner line of that font, but I see what you are saying about no differentiation. I concur on darkening the logo if a gray background is used. The intent on the matching color for the logo and web URL was to tie them together. Earlier versions had the URL match the other contract info.
I have something like 24 variants (down from MANY more) and after awhile you just end up being too close to the process
Here is the white background/white rule version.
Thanks for the feedback
"Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to. Oh well."
-Fleetwood Mac
Help, please
Hey David,
I was looking through the posts about business cards and came across yours. I have been working on mine for a few days, but I'm still not happy with it. I was wondering what program you designed yours on. I love how you were able to showcase multiple photographs, and I would like to do something similar. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best, Kristen :-)
quote=DavidTO]I knew there was a reason that I put this up here.
So here's two more. I like the idea of getting rid of the big friggin' name, I mean, who really cares, anyway? It's in the URL, right?
First is Trajan, the font on my site, the second is Optima, stretched out a bit.
My attempt
I'm trying to come up with a new clean modern swirly fun yet elegant look...
These are still in the work it out stage so any honest critique appriciated.
Front attempt:
Note the sun/star between Inspiring Designs... not sure I like it but that's kinda the element I"m leaning towards.
Back side attempt 1:
I have the computer gal with camera in color or black N white... I lean towards liking the color better.
Back side attempt 2:
Did this one simply cause it better matches my current smugmug header... but I do not like my current one and if I change my look to the above then I'll create a header to match it better.
I'm trying to come up with a new clean modern swirly fun yet elegant look...
These are still in the work it out stage so any honest critique appriciated.
Front attempt:
Note the sun/star between Inspiring Designs... not sure I like it but that's kinda the element I"m leaning towards.
Back side attempt 1:
I have the computer gal with camera in color or black N white... I lean towards liking the color better.
Back side attempt 2:
Did this one simply cause it better matches my current smugmug header... but I do not like my current one and if I change my look to the above then I'll create a header to match it better.
Honestly, I think the front is WAY too busy, but I don't care for 'swilly things' anyway. The whole look (front/back) doesn't say 'clean or elegant' to me. It looks a bit 'urban/street/amateur' to me.
Hey David,
I was looking through the posts about business cards and came across yours. I have been working on mine for a few days, but I'm still not happy with it. I was wondering what program you designed yours on.
I too use Vistaprint and have been very happy with the cards I recieved from them- They send rather a lot of junk mail though, how many cases of customised stationary do they think I'll order
Here's my card. I did double-sided to avoid cluttering up the front (edited my tel# here)...
I was going to use Overnight Prints until I found out that they rasterize everything as TIFFs, even if you submit a sharper quality vector/Illustrator file! I figure why submit the cleanest version of my text (esp. for business card size), to only have them downgrade the quality? I use Adobe Illustrator and wanted to submit vector format / text as outlines to keep the text clean and sharp, not bitmapped.
So, I used Vistaprint. They accept and print Illustrator / vector formats, so that sold me, as well as their samples. This was my first time ordering cards online (I usually deal locally). I ordered my cards on a Wednesday night, and they arrived in my mailbox within a day! I got the "overnight" speed, and the print quality I wanted.I was happy with the stock quality as well.
I don't receive any junk mail from them either, thank goodness. I went over each order page with a fine-toothed comb to make sure nothing was automatically selected/checked (re receiving any "special offers", etc).
Cindy - did you realize you have a typo in your 1st two cards (they say "inspirng")
FWIW, I find the front side some what busy. I like the design of the back more, but think the cartoon photographer doesn't fit.
C.
Thank you, thank you as no I hadn't noticed the typo. You'll are wonderful!
I've been re-considering the cartoon photographer myself... seems everyone around here likes her though and says it's so me... camera in hand, coffee and computer nearby... fun at work. Hmmmmm... decisions like these I hate.
Honestly, I think the front is WAY too busy, but I don't care for 'swilly things' anyway. The whole look (front/back) doesn't say 'clean or elegant' to me. It looks a bit 'urban/street/amateur' to me.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for responding. I love swirlies... (could you tell ) but after talking to several people it seems everyone agreed too busy.
After re-reading what I'd wrote and your responce I realized more what I'm after... I said I wanted clean and elegant... but... clean and elegant isn't me... I'm down in the dirt with my sleeves rolled up laughing all the while and having a blast while getting the shots the customer wants.
urban/street with a touch of elegance would be nice but leaves out the country fun loving person in me.
I want my card to say (without words): Fun, down to earth, approachable, at work for you the customer.
Do you feel like the cartoon photographer says amateur? I havn't yet decided whether to keep her or let her go...
Here's a new Cartoon Photographer Card I've been working on along with a matching header for the website. What do ya think? I replaced the fake sun with a star burst.
Should I totally trash this theme or work on it somemore?
Do you feel like the cartoon photographer says amateur? I havn't yet decided whether to keep her or let her go...
Yes, very much so.
Here's a new Cartoon Photographer Card I've been working on along with a matching header for the website. What do ya think? I replaced the fake sun with a star burst. Should I totally trash this theme or work on it somemore?
Honestly the whole card seems 'amateur-ish to me. Sorry.
Cindy:
The art looks great, but to me it looks copy-paste from a clipart gallery. Perhaps a different style of cartoon would be better, or something that filled the card more. I like a lot of the material on deviantart.com if that helps any.
What a great thread! How about this design? I like it, except that it's completely generic and does not hint that I cover sports, events, and corporate. Not really sure how to make it clear in that regard. Any ideas?
Cindy:
How about this design? I like it, except that it's completely generic and does not hint that I cover sports, events, and corporate. Not really sure how to make it clear in that regard. Any ideas?
-Justin
I think it would be more effective if jzazzi.com was a working site.
I really like the comedy factor of the "I shoot people"... it would make me remember it. And that (combined with giving them your contact information) is really the point, right?
Here is my newly designed card. Photography is a hobby, but sometimes it is nice to have
something to give people I meet along the way when photographing sth. It matches the
theme of my website:
I think I'll also need a backside design to make it complete, or maybe I should just leave it black?
“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
― Edward Weston
I think I'll also need a backside design to make it complete, or maybe I should just leave it black?
I would recommend using one of the lighter grays from your design on the back. That would allow people to write notes on the card, where a black background wouldn't.
Cindy:
The art looks great, but to me it looks copy-paste from a clipart gallery. Perhaps a different style of cartoon would be better, or something that filled the card more. I like a lot of the material on deviantart.com if that helps any.
What a great thread! How about this design? I like it, except that it's completely generic and does not hint that I cover sports, events, and corporate. Not really sure how to make it clear in that regard. Any ideas?
-Justin
AWESOME! "hello, my name is....(i shoot people)..." i like that! that's really catchy!
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this site or not, and with 149 pages of posts, I'm not reading through the whole thread to find out.
They do a very nice job with two sided, glossy business cards and postcards and are quite reasonably priced. Mainly marketed to the indie music scene, but heck, why not photographers?
I have been reading this thread with interest. There are some nice card designs and some not so nice.
But all think they should have ONE card design. I disagree.
Personally I have two cards, for two purposes. One as a Real Estate Broker and one as an officer of an unrelated corporation.
Photographers who work in different environments serving different clients should consider the market they wish to sell to and match the card to that market.
Example: Suppose you shoot portraits for a living and your card reflects that. But you love to shoot motorsports and want to get published. Would you give the "portrait" card to the art director at the social event and expect to get credibility? Hmmm....
It seems to me, the biz card can be the first step of a new relationship, it can be an advertisement (stylishly subtle or in your face) and a lot of posters recognize that. But the design can categorize you, for better or worse.
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this site or not, and with 149 pages of posts, I'm not reading through the whole thread to find out.
They do a very nice job with two sided, glossy business cards and postcards and are quite reasonably priced. Mainly marketed to the indie music scene, but heck, why not photographers?
looks like they do hav pretty good prices! thanks for the link!
I ditched the cartoon computer girl I had previously (thank you everyone) and come up with this.
Because I'm in a rural area 4 miles out of town I've put a small map and driving directions on the back. Here's the front. Thoughts?
I ditched the cartoon computer girl I had previously (thank you everyone) and come up with this.
Because I'm in a rural area 4 miles out of town I've put a small map and driving directions on the back. Here's the front. Thoughts?
Can you really see these six small pictures at 2" x 3"? I can hardly see them on the web. I'm not a fan of pictures on a business card, but if you must have a picture on your card, pick one. I think your recent attempt is better, but it still looks too busy.
If you have a map on the back, them list the address there. I would remove the "Owner/Photographer"...that should be obvious.
Looking for a little bit of help here. I am going to be using these mainly for racing events. I am trying to keep it simple and clean but a little "edgy" or grungey.
These are going to be 4x6 hand out more than business cards. Not going to get into the whole bit of it, not like I would explain it to everyone I hand it out to but, it's really all metaphorical. The card has two sides, one clean, one not so much; a lot like my self. Trying to keep with this, can anyone help?
Comments
Here are 3 of several variations on the same card:
#1 Baseline card
#2 18% Colored background
#3 Same as #2 but with slight white lines between images
I would like feedback on white vs grey background and having the photos bleed into each other or broken up by the white line. There are several other versions (#1 with lines between images, etc) but you get the idea.
Since I can get this printed ganged 8 up in any combination, there are different versions with different images emphasizing landscapes, music/urban, kids/sports, and 'general purpose' card (above).
-Fleetwood Mac
I don't care for the white lines, but that could be because they're on a gray background. If you're going to use a rule to break up the images, have it be the background color, IMO. But I do like them unbroken.
I like the card overall, but I think that your name and "photography" are floating a bit awkwardly up in the corner. Not that you should move them from the corner, but it's something to do with the font size/leading/spacing. I guess that your name and photography are not different enough. They don't contrast enough in size and weight. A kind of neither here nor there thing. Also, what kind of photography? Are you selling services? If so, I want to know which ones. If it's just a calling card for a hobbyist, then no detail is needed.
Why is your domain a different color than the other type? It makes your logo not special and confuses your message about what is your contact info and what is your artistic flair (logo).
If you're going to do the gray background, I would make the logo darker, or make the background darker and make the logo white, or off-white. Again, more contrast, but this time I mean contrast like we mean in photography, in color values.
Overall, I would go for the white background, make the URL the same as your other contact info, and fix your name/photography in the upper left so they feel more designed, more intentional.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Thanks for the feedback. Points all well taken. The word Photography was originally the thinner line of that font, but I see what you are saying about no differentiation. I concur on darkening the logo if a gray background is used. The intent on the matching color for the logo and web URL was to tie them together. Earlier versions had the URL match the other contract info.
I have something like 24 variants (down from MANY more) and after awhile you just end up being too close to the process
Here is the white background/white rule version.
Thanks for the feedback
-Fleetwood Mac
Hey David,
I was looking through the posts about business cards and came across yours. I have been working on mine for a few days, but I'm still not happy with it. I was wondering what program you designed yours on. I love how you were able to showcase multiple photographs, and I would like to do something similar. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best, Kristen :-)
quote=DavidTO]I knew there was a reason that I put this up here.
So here's two more. I like the idea of getting rid of the big friggin' name, I mean, who really cares, anyway? It's in the URL, right?
First is Trajan, the font on my site, the second is Optima, stretched out a bit.
I'm trying to come up with a new clean modern swirly fun yet elegant look...
These are still in the work it out stage so any honest critique appriciated.
Front attempt:
Note the sun/star between Inspiring Designs... not sure I like it but that's kinda the element I"m leaning towards.
Back side attempt 1:
I have the computer gal with camera in color or black N white... I lean towards liking the color better.
Back side attempt 2:
Did this one simply cause it better matches my current smugmug header... but I do not like my current one and if I change my look to the above then I'll create a header to match it better.
FWIW, I find the front side some what busy. I like the design of the back more, but think the cartoon photographer doesn't fit.
C.
***********************************
check out my (sports) pics: ColleenBonney.smugmug.com
*Thanks to Boolsacho for the avatar photo (from the dgrin portrait project)
Honestly, I think the front is WAY too busy, but I don't care for 'swilly things' anyway. The whole look (front/back) doesn't say 'clean or elegant' to me. It looks a bit 'urban/street/amateur' to me.
Good luck!
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Just Photoshop.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I've reworked it many times, trying to improve it more and more.
I want to keep it simple and clean, with as little information as possible.
Any suggestion to help me making it better?
It doesn't even look like a business card.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
I was going to use Overnight Prints until I found out that they rasterize everything as TIFFs, even if you submit a sharper quality vector/Illustrator file!
So, I used Vistaprint. They accept and print Illustrator / vector formats, so that sold me, as well as their samples. This was my first time ordering cards online (I usually deal locally). I ordered my cards on a Wednesday night, and they arrived in my mailbox within a day! I got the "overnight" speed, and the print quality I wanted.
I don't receive any junk mail from them either, thank goodness.
Film/TV Stills Photography
"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." ~ Henry J. Kaiser
Thank you, thank you as no I hadn't noticed the typo. You'll are wonderful!
I've been re-considering the cartoon photographer myself... seems everyone around here likes her though and says it's so me... camera in hand, coffee and computer nearby... fun at work. Hmmmmm... decisions like these I hate.
Thank you so much for responding. I love swirlies... (could you tell
After re-reading what I'd wrote and your responce I realized more what I'm after... I said I wanted clean and elegant... but... clean and elegant isn't me... I'm down in the dirt with my sleeves rolled up laughing all the while and having a blast while getting the shots the customer wants.
urban/street with a touch of elegance would be nice but leaves out the country fun loving person in me.
I want my card to say (without words): Fun, down to earth, approachable, at work for you the customer.
Do you feel like the cartoon photographer says amateur? I havn't yet decided whether to keep her or let her go...
Here's a new Cartoon Photographer Card I've been working on along with a matching header for the website. What do ya think? I replaced the fake sun with a star burst.
Should I totally trash this theme or work on it somemore?
Yes, very much so.
Honestly the whole card seems 'amateur-ish to me. Sorry.
PM sent.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
The art looks great, but to me it looks copy-paste from a clipart gallery. Perhaps a different style of cartoon would be better, or something that filled the card more. I like a lot of the material on deviantart.com if that helps any.
What a great thread! How about this design? I like it, except that it's completely generic and does not hint that I cover sports, events, and corporate. Not really sure how to make it clear in that regard. Any ideas?
-Justin
I think it would be more effective if jzazzi.com was a working site.
I really like the comedy factor of the "I shoot people"... it would make me remember it. And that (combined with giving them your contact information) is really the point, right?
Here is a wedding website I created for a customer as a value-add. Comments appreciated.
Founding member of The Professional Photography Forum as well.
something to give people I meet along the way when photographing sth. It matches the
theme of my website:
I think I'll also need a backside design to make it complete, or maybe I should just leave it black?
― Edward Weston
--- Denise
Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
AWESOME! "hello, my name is....(i shoot people)..." i like that! that's really catchy!
Hi Joe
hey ian! long time no see!
www.clubflyers.com
Not sure if anyone's mentioned this site or not, and with 149 pages of posts, I'm not reading through the whole thread to find out.
They do a very nice job with two sided, glossy business cards and postcards and are quite reasonably priced. Mainly marketed to the indie music scene, but heck, why not photographers?
jon
Jon Lyksett
Take Flight Photography
www.takeflightphoto.com
http://www.takeflightphoto.com
http://www.usdgcphotos.com
But all think they should have ONE card design. I disagree.
Personally I have two cards, for two purposes. One as a Real Estate Broker and one as an officer of an unrelated corporation.
Photographers who work in different environments serving different clients should consider the market they wish to sell to and match the card to that market.
Example: Suppose you shoot portraits for a living and your card reflects that. But you love to shoot motorsports and want to get published. Would you give the "portrait" card to the art director at the social event and expect to get credibility? Hmmm....
It seems to me, the biz card can be the first step of a new relationship, it can be an advertisement (stylishly subtle or in your face) and a lot of posters recognize that. But the design can categorize you, for better or worse.
my .02
Rags
looks like they do hav pretty good prices! thanks for the link!
Because I'm in a rural area 4 miles out of town I've put a small map and driving directions on the back. Here's the front. Thoughts?
Website header is along the same lines however I'm still playing with it... http://www.inspiringdesigns.net
Can you really see these six small pictures at 2" x 3"? I can hardly see them on the web. I'm not a fan of pictures on a business card, but if you must have a picture on your card, pick one. I think your recent attempt is better, but it still looks too busy.
If you have a map on the back, them list the address there. I would remove the "Owner/Photographer"...that should be obvious.
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
These are going to be 4x6 hand out more than business cards. Not going to get into the whole bit of it, not like I would explain it to everyone I hand it out to but, it's really all metaphorical. The card has two sides, one clean, one not so much; a lot like my self. Trying to keep with this, can anyone help?
JBHotShots.com
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