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07/25/2005 08:15:43 PM · #1 |
Ok, I know when I like something but I have a tough time getting there. I need a simple business card design like the one I've roughed out here...this is just an example of what I want. Refer to it only for the mood/colour and text. Everything else is negotiable.
Who can help me out!?!
Front:
Back:
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07/25/2005 08:23:30 PM · #2 |
I like it. Simple and to the point. Nice color choices and fonts. My only suggestion would be to maybe make the "Photography" text stand out a little more as that is the main purpose for the card in my opinion.
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07/25/2005 08:28:15 PM · #3 |
| This may look TOO weird, but I'd suggest changing the color of the word "photography" on the front... to yellow. It would certianly stand out. That's just my opinion. Other than that, the design is great. |
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07/25/2005 08:28:58 PM · #4 |
First off, unless you NEED both sides, why make your information less accessible to the potential customer (can't tape this in their Rolodex), and in addition, either greatly limit your printing options or increase the cost?
Secondly, what you do is subtle and hard to read for some people--which shouts out "Graphic Designer!" and not "Photographer".
Now, maybe if you went with a white background, black strip, your name in white and "photgraphy" in 10% black (gray), maybe it would work better for me.
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07/26/2005 07:35:54 AM · #5 |
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07/26/2005 08:03:13 AM · #6 |
| I love the simplicity! But I don't like it being two sided! Just MHO |
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07/26/2005 09:05:29 AM · #7 |
I like the simple idea. Its neat and impressive. I agree to the point of needless two sides since its very simple and to the point.
IMHO, How about url in the front main oval area and your name and phone number on top left or bottom right end of the card, no back side needed unless u wanna enlist specifically what services do u offer.
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07/26/2005 09:19:45 AM · #8 |
Our card is 2 sided as well and it works for us. People ALWAYS flip cards - may as well give them something to look at. For us, the printing cost difference is nominal once you are up to 500 or 1000 cards anyways, so...
I like the design, but it does feel a little too simple - if you are advertising your photography, show some. Maybe move the info to one side of the card and put a photo on the other side?
M
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07/26/2005 09:44:45 AM · #9 |
Business cards create a primary form of advertisement. They are more than a way to convey contact information, they convey what your business is about. (I think you know that or you would have just put black letters on one side of inexpensive white stock.)
The soft blue color with rounded white type conveys calmness. The type of mood I associate with a studio or wedding photographer.
The design elements and minimal information are reserved, almost coy. I associate this with attention to detail and pricey-ness. Being two-sided reinforces the impression of higher cost.
What you make your card depends on what you do. This card says only that you do photography under your own name. It doesn't tell me what kind of photography you do...one can only guess based on the design.
Depending on who you hand this to (and why) you might expect some of these questions:
Do you have a website where I can see your work?
Do you have a studio? (But since you left your address off I probably won't ask that.)
Which part of Canada (California?) are you in?
Can you print my black and whites?
It is tempting to try and keep all your options open. A generic card won't seem to limit you to one particular kind of photography. On the other hand, it doesn't support any kind of photography either...it could be too generic. (I don't want to call and ask about weddings if you only shoot studio shots for billboard ads.) A line like "Specializing in weddings and heirloom photo restorations using digital media" might point the way without closing other opportunities. You could add in small type, "All types of inquiries welcome" or some such.
Another way to look at cards is to imagine that you've handed one to someone who said they knew someone who might want to call you. A month goes by and they find the card in their bill pile on the kitchen counter among 5 others they collected. What can they tell from the card? How easy is it to contact you...can they mail you an invitation to show your work? Are you an amature or professional? Did you write something on the back? Did they?
There is so little real estate on a business card you want to optimize it. Use the front well so it can be taped to another item or recognized on a quick flip through a wallet without losing information. Leave the back blank so you or the recipient can add notes. (I usually note the date, location, and question discussed on cards I receive--7/26/05, Toronto, Call for estimate Pear project.)
And most importantly, you can always change your card. There's a reason they're so inexpensive. Get some, try them out, pass them around to friends and relatives (always give people who know you at least 2 cards so they can pass one on). If you find you need to change your card in 3 - 6 months, do it. You have an excuse to pass cards out all over again--here's my new card with my new logo--I've updated my business card--have you seen the new photos on my web site, let me give you a card....
Hope that helps, Mike. Looking forward to seeing your "final" design.
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07/26/2005 04:44:10 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by KaDi:
Business cards create a primary form of advertisement. They are more than a way to convey contact information, they convey what your business is about. (I think you know that or you would have just put black letters on one side of inexpensive white stock.) |
True, I agree completely.
Originally posted by KaDi:
The soft blue color with rounded white type conveys calmness. The type of mood I associate with a studio or wedding photographer. |
Good point. To be fair, I'm not entirely sure how limited I want to be on this card quite yet. Soon, I will be limited to Editorial Photography but I also would like to do some more racing and sports photographer to supplement my income. So perhaps the calmness isn't a good idea...although I really like the professionalism of those colours. Hmm...maybe the same colour scheme but remove some of the roundness?
Originally posted by KaDi:
The design elements and minimal information are reserved, almost coy. I associate this with attention to detail and pricey-ness. Being two-sided reinforces the impression of higher cost. |
Attention to detail and priceyness are ok...I think that's in line with what I want as far as simplicity goes.
Originally posted by KaDi:
What you make your card depends on what you do. This card says only that you do photography under your own name. It doesn't tell me what kind of photography you do...one can only guess based on the design. |
Good point...perhaps Editorial Photography would be better? But again, I don't want to be too limited right now. Hmmm again....
Originally posted by KaDi:
Depending on who you hand this to (and why) you might expect some of these questions:
Do you have a website where I can see your work?
Do you have a studio? (But since you left your address off I probably won't ask that.)
Which part of Canada (California?) are you in?
Can you print my black and whites? |
Well, the website is listed...no studio so I wouldn't mention that. As for getting specific with what I can/can't do (such as prints), I think that the business card might not be the spot for that. I also believe that a business card is like a billboard. It reminds you of the company, it's not normally referred to as far as services, etc. go. That's what a website is for, in my opinion.
Originally posted by KaDi:
It is tempting to try and keep all your options open. A generic card won't seem to limit you to one particular kind of photography. On the other hand, it doesn't support any kind of photography either...it could be too generic. (I don't want to call and ask about weddings if you only shoot studio shots for billboard ads.) A line like "Specializing in weddings and heirloom photo restorations using digital media" might point the way without closing other opportunities. You could add in small type, "All types of inquiries welcome" or some such. |
I'll think about adding a line but I'm not entirely convinced quite yet, because I will be giving these to people that will know exactly what I do (racetrack managers, editors, rodeo photographers, etc.) rather than the general public...
Originally posted by KaDi:
Another way to look at cards is to imagine that you've handed one to someone who said they knew someone who might want to call you. A month goes by and they find the card in their bill pile on the kitchen counter among 5 others they collected. What can they tell from the card? How easy is it to contact you...can they mail you an invitation to show your work? Are you an amature or professional? Did you write something on the back? Did they?
There is so little real estate on a business card you want to optimize it. Use the front well so it can be taped to another item or recognized on a quick flip through a wallet without losing information. Leave the back blank so you or the recipient can add notes. (I usually note the date, location, and question discussed on cards I receive--7/26/05, Toronto, Call for estimate Pear project.) |
More food for thought...
Originally posted by KaDi:
And most importantly, you can always change your card. There's a reason they're so inexpensive. Get some, try them out, pass them around to friends and relatives (always give people who know you at least 2 cards so they can pass one on). If you find you need to change your card in 3 - 6 months, do it. You have an excuse to pass cards out all over again--here's my new card with my new logo--I've updated my business card--have you seen the new photos on my web site, let me give you a card.... |
Another good point. Perhaps one for Motorsports, one for other events, etc. is the way to go...I don't know...
Originally posted by KaDi:
Hope that helps, Mike. Looking forward to seeing your "final" design. |
Thanks, it does help...of course, people have different opinions of what a business card should be and what it should do. Back to the drawing board...I was hoping for some good examples here...anybody!
(oh, and no pictures on my business card...at least not for the editorial stuff...i refuse!) |
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07/26/2005 05:20:17 PM · #11 |
this concurrent thread might be of interest. I know that upon adding what type of photography I do onto my card, that the effectiveness of it skyrocketed.
I concur that having a different card for each specialty would be optimal. Events, Motorsport for starters?
Personally my contacts report that the compelling image helps them remember me and hold onto it longer. I'm not worried that I'll have something more spectacular that I'll feel should replace that image before I use up the cards, a good image is a good image. YMMV depending on how well the one you pick will attract your target market, and your current skillset.
HTH!
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