Show us your business Card!

Shay Stephens · March 22, 2006

Here's an in-betweener
Mixed things up a little to try and keep a visual balance while simplifying it:

You are right that the company name is Shay Stephens Photography, so that needs to stay I think.

{edit} I flipped the image back to normal (most probably did'nt see it reversed) and moved the text back to the right as Angelo suggested.

DavidTO wrote:

Somewhere in between, Shay. First one was too busy, this one too sparse. I too liked the photography under your name. That's your company's name, no?

Anyway, you're darn close, IMO.

DavidTO · March 23, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Mixed things up a little to try and keep a visual balance while simplifying it:

You are right that the company name is Shay Stephens Photography, so that needs to stay I think.

{edit} I flipped the image back to normal (most probably did'nt see it reversed) and moved the text back to the right as Angelo suggested.

Very nice. My only nit is that you now have 3 fonts, all different types. Handwritten, serif and non-serif. Think about making the non-serif a serif font, it might unify the card more.

Angelo · March 23, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Mixed things up a little to try and keep a visual balance while simplifying it:

You are right that the company name is Shay Stephens Photography, so that needs to stay I think.

{edit} I flipped the image back to normal (most probably did'nt see it reversed) and moved the text back to the right as Angelo suggested.

very nice and I like "photography" reinstated now that the bar is gone.
I agree with David... clean up the fonts.
I still don't like your name appearing on the card twice. (I understand it, I just don't like it.) pheh!

DavidTO · March 23, 2006

Angelo wrote:

I still don't like your name appearing on the card twice. (I understand it, I just don't like it.) pheh!

The name on the bottom could be smaller, since you've got the large name up top...

Shay Stephens · March 23, 2006

Ok, after chewing on this a while, how about this:

I got rid of the redundant name as much as possible. I also decided to rotate the logo/contact info since things just were not fitting right. There is a visual contrast in the two rotations that I find interesting.

Angelo wrote:

very nice and I like "photography" reinstated now that the bar is gone.
I agree with David... clean up the fonts.
I still don't like your name appearing on the card twice. (I understand it, I just don't like it.) pheh!

Sam · March 23, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Mixed things up a little to try and keep a visual balance while simplifying it:

You are right that the company name is Shay Stephens Photography, so that needs to stay I think.

{edit} I flipped the image back to normal (most probably did'nt see it reversed) and moved the text back to the right as Angelo suggested.

OK, I like this version much better. My 2 cents worth would be to delete your name on the bottom right (it's on the card three times with your first name on it four times), and increase the font size of your web site, as well as maybe adjusting your borders a little. Printing can chop off up to 1/16" (I think).

Sam

Sam · March 23, 2006

brandofamily wrote:

My only question shane is why is the lettering on the lens a mirror image? Not a biggy, but it caught my eye as wierd.

I hate people with sharp eyes!

But with a little work all you need to do is flip the image, select the now correct lens image, copy paste, size etc. and the lettering is no longer reversed.

Sam

Midnitsage · March 24, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Ok, after chewing on this a while, how about this:

I got rid of the redundant name as much as possible. I also decided to rotate the logo/contact info since things just were not fitting right. There is a visual contrast in the two rotations that I find interesting.

I love that you are truly working this out and designing multiple layouts here! A few problems I see with the layout is that vertical type is hard to read to begin with but, if you notice on book spines it goes the other way, so with this you read from bottom to top, not top to bottom as we do naturally. The other issue is this layout take the viewers eyes right off the card. The eyes are then blocked with this strip of black text so it makes it hard to come back into the design/image. This also creates a very strong separation of ,This is the image and This is the information.

Keep working it Shay!

Oh also I wanted to say that I really like the simplified information on the card. Especially if you are the only photographer in your studio.
It looks like it is, but I'll ask to make sure, Is all the type information evenly? Too keep that clean look be sure that both side are lining up with the P and Y in photography. One thing that loses the effect tho, it could just be the image, the numbers in the phone number seem to have different baselines. If this is the case maybe looking into a serif font that looks like the word Photography, too keep consistant.

vangogh · March 24, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Ok, after chewing on this a while, how about this:

I got rid of the redundant name as much as possible. I also decided to rotate the logo/contact info since things just were not fitting right. There is a visual contrast in the two rotations that I find interesting.

I like this, there's a lovely feel to the couple dancing, the dark of the figure of the groom is balanced by your name on the right, there's plenty of white "breathing space" around the text & its not too close to the edge! And you've balanced the fluid style of your name with a more "Classic" font style for the remainder of the text!

Angelo · March 24, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Ok, after chewing on this a while, how about this:

I got rid of the redundant name as much as possible. I also decided to rotate the logo/contact info since things just were not fitting right. There is a visual contrast in the two rotations that I find interesting.

Shay - I like this version. I think you've done a great job. 2 little nits. The length of your URL and telephone number run longer than your title. Reduce the font one point or realign to reduce a space. Also, the phone number font is causing a "crooked" line. This is fairly common in the numerals table of a lot of fonts. Choose a font with a consistent baseline and use it for both the number and URL. "Goudy" is a family of fonts that will give you consistency and balance in the styles.

Khaos · March 24, 2006

I decided to go from bleeding eyes to keep it simple, stupid.

Shay Stephens · March 24, 2006

Ok, here is a question. My business card is being designed in conjunction with my website redesign (not yet launched). Should I be concerned about keeping a consistancy of fonts for both the card and the website? Or does that not matter?

When I dropped the arial font of the card, I did the same thing on the website. I have to work with that for a few days to see if I will get used to the new look.

DavidTO · March 24, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Ok, here is a question. My business card is being designed in conjunction with my website redesign (not yet launched). Should I be concerned about keeping a consistancy of fonts for both the card and the website? Or does that not matter?

When I dropped the arial font of the card, I did the same thing on the website. I have to work with that for a few days to see if I will get used to the new look.

I don't think you need to be real strict about the two matching. Mine don't. (Then again, I'm not in business!)

Midnitsage · March 24, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

When I dropped the Ariel font of the card, I did the same thing on the website. I have to work with that for a few days to see if I will get used to the new look.

i wouldn't completely ditch the Sans serif font for you email and phone number. It's a nice compliment to your business name. Just try to find one that the number sit on the baseline.

pat.kane · March 24, 2006

Shay, beautiful card you have there!

I think it would benefit slightly from leaving a little more room to the left of the groom. He looks like he's about to fall off the edge.

Shay Stephens · March 25, 2006

Back from the drawing board
Ok, as I like to say, if one thing doesn't work, try another. I dumped my design in favor of a two sided card, dumped the logo in favor of a new one, and generally continued the simplification idea.

Here is the new front:

And here is the back:

...annnnddd...I'm spent!

Thank you all for your feedback.

DavidTO · March 25, 2006

Very, very nice, Shay. I like it a lot. You're done.

LiquidOps · March 25, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

Very, very nice, Shay. I like it a lot. You're done.

hmmmm

I do like the concept... nice, simple, to the point...

however... my eye first went to the huge logo and the word "Artistic"

I read SARTISTIC

just seems weird that the S has a cool shadow, but the P doesn't...

maybe i'm too picky... but oh well

gotta love me anyway

Steven

Antonio Correia · March 25, 2006

Shay: Your card is Very very nice.

Best regards

DavidTO · March 25, 2006

LiquidOps wrote:

hmmmm

I do like the concept... nice, simple, to the point...

however... my eye first went to the huge logo and the word "Artistic"

I read SARTISTIC

just seems weird that the S has a cool shadow, but the P doesn't...

Shay Stephens Photography

Shay Stephens · March 25, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

Shay Stephens Photography

The sharp-eyed man gets the prize!!!

:D:D

I like some visual conflict in a card that makes the viewer have to stop and think about the card for a second. In this case, the stylized SSP.

DavidTO · March 25, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

The sharp-eyed man gets the prize!!! :D:D

I will PM you my addy so you can send the prize on...

Shay Stephens · March 25, 2006

Thank you
I just wanted to say thank you to those who offered advice and comments. I also wanted to thank specifically the following (in order of appearance):

Gus - your card rocks, inspiration for me, breaking the rules.

Angelo - Your card was an inspiration in white space. Also thank you for your suggestions.

W.W. Webster - Your book suggestion was a good one. It helped me a lot. And your criticism and input in the thread was appreciated.

Brandofamily - Your "bi" logo was inspirational to me. I had been looking for a way to make a square logo for some time, and your idea helped me.

ian408 - Your example of white space was inspirational to me.

vangogh - Your bold design was inspirational.

AprilVisel - Just flat out beautiful and elegant. Very inspirational.

Midnitsage - I really appreciated your criticism and posting the tips, they were very beneficial to me.

DavidTO - Thank you for your herculean efforts at providing continued good advice in this thread. It helped me a lot.

I am sure there are others I am forgetting to mention, to them thank you

DavidTO · March 25, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

W.W. Webster - Your book suggestion was a good one. It helped me a lot. And your criticism and input in the thread was appreciated.

FYI to all: there's a review of the aforementioned book here. It's a great book.

Andy · March 25, 2006

Angelo wrote:

I love this!
c) I dare you to lose the word "photography"

This is such a cool concept

LiquidOps · March 25, 2006

DavidTO wrote:

Shay Stephens Photography

I realize what it stands for... that was never a question...

I was simply stating what my mind first wandered to.

yes... it made me give it a second look, but a lot of times, you're not gonna get that second look. Sometimes first thoughts are all you get.

Maybe i'm too picky for my own good, but it still bothers me....

Steven

Shay Stephens · March 25, 2006

Does this help?

LiquidOps wrote:

I realize what it stands for... that was never a question...

I was simply stating what my mind first wandered to.

yes... it made me give it a second look, but a lot of times, you're not gonna get that second look. Sometimes first thoughts are all you get.

Maybe i'm too picky for my own good, but it still bothers me....

Steven

LiquidOps · March 25, 2006

Shay Stephens wrote:

Does this help?

I definately think it adds more seperation... I like

from me

Steven

DanielB · March 26, 2006

so i thought about it, came back to it, came back to it, and thought about it. and decided i didn't like that other card i made.... so heres my new idea. linda went off 408|views style.

any comments, critique? and i'm wondering, should i just leave off my name, and write it on there with a potential customer?

i know andy uses this technique with his e-mail.

DavidTO · March 26, 2006

DanielB wrote:

so i thought about it, came back to it, came back to it, and thought about it. and decided i didn't like that other card i made.... so heres my new idea. linda went off 408|views style.

any comments, critique? and i'm wondering, should i just leave off my name, and write it on there with a potential customer? i know andy uses this technique with his e-mail.

It's all in the details, Daniel.

The space between images is uneven. The text bottom right should align with the image above (right justified-wise). It should also align with the bottom of your name. Everything aligns with something else! Move your name in to align left with the image above.

The placement of your logo isn't right. I'm not sure if you should center it (move it right and down), make it larger, or what. Play with it.

Show us your business Card!

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