I need help with my business card

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/10/2005 06:23:10 AM · #1

I find the situations where I want to share contacts fast and easy ever increasing, so I made me a business card. I've never done this before, so I'd be glad on any feedback I could get. Thank you!

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

09/10/2005 06:31:23 AM · #2

I like the title and the logo water mark, though I think the contact info is a bit too large. Possibly have the contact details in a line across the bottom of the card and bring the main title down a bit so it is centered vertically.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/10/2005 06:45:41 AM · #3

I think your card should have some photography on it.

leaf

Canon EF 22-55mm f/4.0-5.6 USM

09/10/2005 06:57:19 AM · #4

i agree. i think simplicity looks very nice and moving the contact info to the bottom would make the card have a more of a clean design.

I don't really like the little icons you have for the contact info. it seems a little taky, by that is just my opinon. I would make the logo perhaps a little larger. I like the water mark in the background though.

Tammer

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

09/10/2005 09:15:40 AM · #5

I do like the balance you have on the card with the watermark and info on the other side. I would keep the type size on the phone numbers, etc. between 9 to 11pt. Anything over that is too overpowering. For me, the icons aren't that bad. Since it is about photography however, you may want to consider using one of your choice photos. Have it be 1/3rd and on the left hand side...since many people read from left to right. I like the font you chose also. part of my job is to design business cards and I think you did quite well, just a few tweaks needed.

Message edited by author 2005-09-10 09:16:19.

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

09/10/2005 09:28:22 AM · #6

I love your logo, it looks like a shutter... smart thinkin'. :) I agree with the suggestions to put photography on it, and yes, typesize should be 9 - 11pt. Even if it looks small to you, it's standard. Pretty much follow what Tammer said, she obviously knows what she's talking about.

Canon EF 22-55mm f/4.0-5.6 USM

09/10/2005 12:19:43 PM · #7

Thanks for the input so far!
I tried one version with the contact detail at the bottom, without icons. V2:

Then I tried a version with a photograph, V3:

I think V3 works better. Now:
1. Should I switch the logo and the headline, thus having the logo on the right side?
2. Does the watermark background still work when there's text on it? Or should I move/delete it?
3. Is the font size about 9-11 now? PSP8 doesn't do sizing right. The original card is 2100x1200px, @600dpi ( =3,5x2 inch, which is a standart according to bear_music). I wouldn't like to have the font much smaller, it's hard to read already.
4. Should I remove the "tail" of the capital Gs and move "Photography" closer to the line?

Tammer

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

09/10/2005 02:17:08 PM · #8

Hey Gloda, I think you got it. For me, it has much more impact showing one of your photos and this will give prospectives a glimpse into your style. I like the photo choice and the fact the eyes are looking in towards the text. The watermark still works. Again for me, the fonts look fine and 3.5" x 2" is indeed standard for a business card. What kind of stock are you putting this on? I think a good, glossy heavy weight stock would work well. Nothing with a laid or linen finish as it will detract from the photo because of the paper grains. YOu're doing great!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/10/2005 03:24:25 PM · #9

If you are going to use a photo and don't need too many cards at first, consider laying them out 3-up on a 4x6 layout and make photographic prints, then cut them apart by hand. At $0.12 - 0.29/print, you have a minimal investment up-front.

Once you have a layout you're really satisfied with (and the customers to justify it) you can have some cards printed up by the more usual processes.

carlos

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/10/2005 06:56:01 PM · #10

I like the first one attempt the better, even with the icons. They don't look that big when zoomed out to a real business card size. Some points,

- Where are you located? No clue from the card. Just imagine I find it on... let's say... Tokyo airport... ;-)

- IMHO you don't need to have a pic on the card. It clearly states you're a photograper, put your portfolio on the web page for anyone interested to see. Only one image, or a part of it actually, will not make your skills justice.

- I'll use the blank space on the right hand side for a embossed logo. Don't know how to name the tool in English (maybe not even in Spanish :). I now what it is and what it looks like, you get a kind of big pliers with your logo engraved on the tips you make on the card by pressing... besides you can use it for your pics, stationery... A classy and personal touch to make your card stand out.

Hope it helps

Bobster

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/11/2005 07:01:48 PM · #11

loose those icons.. icons for e-mail, telephone numbers etc is so early 90's

make the contact details 2-3pts smaller

and put an address ;)

09/13/2005 01:01:25 PM · #12

Okay, thanks for your opinions! I gave it another go.
V4:

Since I didn't like the balance in this one anymore, I came up with
V5:

What do you think of it? Is the leading in the contact info okay? I added part of my adress, I actually want people to be able to contact me but not to have someone I don't even know knocking at my door :)
I cut the icons, I think it works without them. I also reduced the font size for the info.

CorySmith

09/13/2005 01:03:04 PM · #13

waoh!
you have a 352 area code!
thats awesome
my old number used to be a 352 area code too
woot

09/14/2005 08:55:55 AM · #14

Any suggestions, ideas, comments on V5? Thanks!

Jaimeson

Nikon D40

09/14/2005 09:01:10 AM · #15

I like version 4 better than 5, because the inverted GG icon is up with your name. Looks a bit out of place next to the contact info.

BlackDot

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/14/2005 09:06:42 AM · #16

I like 5 best. 4 looks edgy, 5 looks more comfortable, confident and relaxed.

bfox2

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/14/2005 10:02:31 AM · #17

I think v5 is a bit busy, i'm more a fan of v4

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/14/2005 10:20:47 AM · #18

Spot on with V4 in my opinion!

Great stuff....

Bobster

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/19/2005 01:40:27 PM · #19

how about bringig the face up some more and put the logo reversed in the eye?

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/20/2005 12:20:43 PM · #20

What do you mean with "bringing the face up"? I don't understand. Do you mean I should make it larger in size?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

09/20/2005 12:28:35 PM · #21

Originally posted by gloda:

What do you mean with "bringing the face up"? I don't understand. Do you mean I should make it larger in size?

"Bring it up" in a photographic context usually means "make it brighter".

Robt.

09/22/2005 09:15:17 AM · #22

I gave the logo-in-eye a try, it didn't really look good. I guess it's the wrong kind of portrait for that. What's more, at that scale the logo won't be recognizable anymore.

Erin_K

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/22/2005 09:39:12 AM · #23

In cards that I have designed before, I found that adding a drop shadow to the text really makes it "pop out" at you and adds a bit of a 3D effect.

09/22/2005 12:40:34 PM · #24

Erin, notice that the first versions have drop shadow. It sure would be a nice effect, but I'll print them at home, and my printer doesn't make a smooth shade of light grey :(

Bobster