Buisness card help - Graphics help

[AndyL]

Looking for a little help :) Wife and I are arguing over this one...

Wife thinks plain buisness card is better... I went a bit more creative :)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/buisnesscard.jpg

Opinions? I really like the b/w picture and white lettering - wife thinks it's hard to read. Printed out, it seems pretty clear to me, but - figure I'm no graphics designer - maybe one of you has some input?

[thrasher22]

Creative is memorable :thumbsup:

If its a bit hard to read, I'd just darken it up behind the lettering, or put a subtle black glow behind the text, if you're in photoshop its super easy

[adidas]

Photoshop the graffiti out of the pic.

You need better lettering, looks way too plain.

[canadian_hustla]

I agree with ^

get rid of the graffiti

[D911]

you should also keep in mind that most people try to put business cards into their wallets, and thus a square design unless its small enough doesnt work so well.

[AndyL]

No, when formatted onto buisness cards - exaggerates the fisheye a bit more - which I kinda like.

[nich148_9]

Simpler is always better. Odd-sized business cards are horrible. Colour is always a nice option.

Maybe something more like this? (10 mins Photoshop quicky):
http://dznr.org/9vi3

Printed glossy, it would attract more attention, I think.

[AndyL]

Dunno, not a big fan of color buisness cards - they tend to blend into my stacks these days...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/BuisnessCard2.jpg

Bit of a redo...

[95teetee]

personally. I'd use a cleaner picture of a door- just so it doesn't look like old graffiti-covered doors are your specialty


http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7176/spcclearsingledoor.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/spcclearsingledoor.jpg/)

maybe less memorable though:dunno:

[nich148_9]

Originally posted by AndyL
Dunno, not a big fan of color buisness cards - they tend to blend into my stacks these days...

image (http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/BuisnessCard2.jpg)

Bit of a redo...

The typeface is still the major issue – it still looks like a home job. Also, the quote is entirely unnecessary, and the grungy door doesn't suggest "quality".

[bubbley]

i like it, trendy!

[D911]

Originally posted by AndyL
Dunno, not a big fan of color buisness cards - they tend to blend into my stacks these days...


Bit of a redo...

better, but still meh.

The graffiti in the middle takes too much attention, and the important bits, ie your name and details are not easily seen.

the quote is also detracting..unless you wanna just chuck it on the back as something extra.. even then i dunno.

[badatusrnames]

Originally posted by nich148_9
Simpler is always better. Odd-sized business cards are horrible. Colour is always a nice option.

Maybe something more like this? (10 mins Photoshop quicky):
http://dznr.org/9vi3

Printed glossy, it would attract more attention, I think.

:werd:

What would it look like if you restored it to the original black and white (might have to change the font color)?

[Kloubek]

I agree with removing the grafitti. If (and only if) you decide to us the old garage door pic, email it to me at [email protected] and I'll take out the grafitti for you.

I would also darken up the picture behind the lettering so the words stand out more.

[cam_wmh]

I like your original idea, less the grafitti. Simple & creative. :thumbsup:

[nich148_9]

Originally posted by badatusrnames


:werd:

What would it look like if you restored it to the original black and white (might have to change the font color)?

I'm not pleased with it:

http://dznr.org/x9hi

I think the colours I chose help evoke a sense of comfort and safety with the brand. Black and white design with a grungy background make me suspicious of the quality of the brand. There are very few instances where you can get away with that combination.

[ryaraines]

Here's my version, old school but easy to read.

[AndyL]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/BuisnessCard-1.jpg

Heh, when I saw graffiti - I was thinking about the stuff on the column :) In the original picture (yes purchased rights to use) - the left door says Parts - center says Dept. - So I didn't qualify it as graffiti :) Just crappy labeling :rofl:

95TeeTee - there's a bunch of companies here in town who use almost that identical card... So definitely trying to stay away from the 'typical'

[nich148_9]

Originally posted by ryaraines
Here's my version, old school but easy to read.

This is better. Serif typefaces are more trustworthy because they convey a sense of establishment.

[AndyL]

Originally posted by nich148_9


This is better. Serif typefaces are more trustworthy because they convey a sense of establishment.

I must be dense :) Serif vs Sans - one conveys more trust? Must be the aspergers again - because I can barely pick out the difference let alone tell one from another :)

[D911]

Originally posted by AndyL


I must be dense :) Serif vs Sans - one conveys more trust? Must be the aspergers again - because I can barely pick out the difference let alone tell one from another :)

serif fonts have the tails on the ends of the letters. where as sans-serifs do not.

for quick reference arial is a sans-serif while times new roman is a serif.

[EvolizePhoto]

is that a random picture andy L or did you take it? If you took it please PM me

[nich148_9]

Originally posted by AndyL


I must be dense :) Serif vs Sans - one conveys more trust? Must be the aspergers again - because I can barely pick out the difference let alone tell one from another :)

Serif typefaces (Times, Clarendon, Georgia) tend to be used by established companies who wish to convey trustworthiness and respect. Think banks (CIBC, Royal Bank), luxury goods (Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton logo, Burberry) and other established brands.

Sans-serif typefaces (Helvetica, Trebuchet, Gill Sans) tend to be used by newer companies or those looking for a rebrand to be "fresh" and youthful.

There are some exceptions, but generally the mood created by serif faces conveys trust.

I should also point out that even if you want to use a sans-serif face, choose something better. The one you have right now is typographically – uh, what's the technical term? – shit.

[AndyL]

LOL - well this is why I asked for help - never put more than 30 seconds into choosing the typeface. :D

Although thanks ryaraines - yours is kinda growing on me, going to play with that layout a bit more

[95teetee]

Originally posted by AndyL

95TeeTee - there's a bunch of companies here in town who use almost that identical card... yes, I suppose that would definitely be a drawback:D

[AndyL]

I know one manufacturer has a nice version of that one - embossed to match the door embossing... But otherwise they look like sh*t imho.

Stole the general idea from a GC friend - who specializes in custom builds, I'll see if I can scan in the card - abandoned b/w farmhouse on the prairies. Really sharp looking card - and it stands out against all the other builders by being basic/simple.

[Tik-Tok]

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/TykTauk/Andyscard.jpg

[95teetee]

because of the card design I understand Andy questioning my garage door needs in another thread:D

PM sent Andy:)

[AndyL]

Nah this isn't a whoring thread :) those are over in home/garden... Probably have to touch base with kenny/rage on sponsorship soon - but need to get my ass working a bit more first :)

[AndyL]

http://www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/serif-fonts.htm

Help me out - make recommendations :) Left to my own devices, I'm leaning towards wide-glide :)

[copynpaste]

I design peoples business cards for a living and my most important rule that many tend to over look is have your message (which would be all your txt) sent direct as possible. The more visible it is the better your message gets across to the viewer. A card can be all jazzed up and flashy but if the text is not clean, its worthless.

[z2two]

I do some web/graphic design, and to be honest that picture of the garage is terrible. You need something cleaner and not something so dark and grungy.

[AndyL]

I know what you're saying - but at the same time, I disagree :)

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/wideglide2.jpg

Actually the wideglide is kinda cool - very 40s retro lettering :) I like it!

[AndyL]

Ok I'm a dumbass :) perhaps watermarking might be too light - but knocking contrast way down on the back layer... And centering things up more...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/cgyreefer/doors/wideglide1.jpg

[AndyL]

Caught this in my last thread about doing a small run before numbers changed...


Originally posted by roopi
http://www.creativefactor.ca/?page_id=46

Decent quality for what you are looking for.

Kevin at creativefactor is really nice to deal with. Really nice for once not feeling like I'm getting jerked around before I even place the order. :thumbsup: