Advise on New Business Card's

[ATLien]

I am about to send off for a couple 1000 business cards. Before I did that, I wanted to post my business card publicly and get some feedback on it.

They will be double sided, matte finish. All feedback, positive or negative is appreciated.

[kristeejo]

dig the font - do the circles mean something?

i hate the word 'founder'

[ATLien]

Originally Posted by kristeejo

dig the font - do the circles mean something?

i hate the word 'founder'

The Circles are my company logo.

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

Hmm, can't say it strikes me in the least.

[kristeejo]

i like the color scheme alot

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

Originally Posted by kristeejo

i like the color scheme alot

The four dots of color or the grey and white background?

It honestly reminds me of half a dozen similar 'bleak background, spots of color, business name' cards I'd find at the bottom of a swag bag at a trade show. Very... unassuming. No distinct, style or attempt to stand out.

If that's what you were going for, you nailed it. I have a couple of demo cards from my printer that stand out more and have had more effort put into them though.

ATLien, what is it about this design that you feel speaks 'your company and its effort' ?

[Atom]

I'm turned off by the gray color. I don't know why.

[ndundux]

Great design....try to change the background color....dark red (#470000) maybe...

[Brian]

When it comes to business cards, I find simple to be boring. It's one of those things where it needs to stand out because this could be the first thing a potential customer sees, and first impressions are everything.

I stumbled upon this recently, here's a link to give you a few ideas of people thinking outside the box with their cards.

[blazin1]

I like the colors but it's a bit boring IMO for a designer. Everyone is different though so if you like it a lot go with it.

[zeruel]

Having the title of a web "design" and development, you should somehow showcast your "design" ideas on your card by making it more attractive than what you have right now. Honestly speaking, it is really very plain and simple when I believe that you can do better than that.

[moni]

here goes. As for the design you've come up with, I have to agree with some of the people above, it's lacking, almost everything. It's just plain old boring, way boring, and it says your company wasnt even bothered or creative enough to create even a unique simple design, if simplicity is what you were going for.

I agree, and disagree with most people who posted before me too, like Brian for example. I disagree that a 'simple' business card is boring, but agree that one must think outside the box.

Simplicity can be beautiful, it can be artistic, unique and very, very powerful. But i do see what Brian was trying to get through with his post and the link, but I mean, just look at some of those 'creative' ideas. Things like the cards with vegetation sprouting out from the top...as creative an idea as that is, where will the card end up when the vegetation dies? Trash. Granted, the design you currently have has more of a chance of ending up in the trash, but do you see what I'm saying here? It's not only about first impressions, it's about usability, whether that card can be filed for future use, slipped into a business card holder or into a wallet!

Regarding that link, there was a wooden clothes peg with the contact details printed on, as amazing and creative an idea that is for say, a laundry service or something, I can't see a potential client walking around with a peg on them, or on their desk...just saying, those are great to give you an idea, but that's about it.

Many designers today seem to be focused on doing something no other 'designer' has done, a lot of these designers seem to have missed the point of a successful business card design. The ones in that link are just about creating a Buzz, to get people linking to them and blogging about how genius they are, but that's it. They're by no means to be taken seriously as effective day to day business cards.

Just felt like I had to address that so others didn't get confused or misled.

A good business card is about initial impact and then practicality. It should be professional, portray what you company is all about and effectively get the message through to your client. If you want to put a twist and use a multifunctional business card, be sure it's actually usable and practical

That's how I see it, if it can't fit in your wallet, then you're most likely going to drop it in the nearest trash can when the designer/person hands it you turns their back. Either that or hang up your underwear with it if it's in the form of a wooden peg like one of those examples in the link Brian provided!

What's wrong with simplicity? Yes too simple can go very wrong, but I think it all comes down to the design. If you're talented enough you'll create something usable, beautiful, practical and worthy of representing your business and you as an individual.

Side Note: Consider re branding yourself, your logo is far too generic and weak. Also, if you don't have quality work to put in your portfolio, don't put anything at all. Seriously, things like this will only scare potential clients away...eek!

[Brian]

Originally Posted by moni

But i do see what Brian was trying to get through with his post and the link

...

Glad to see someone checked out the link Obviously there are some cards on there that aren't going to fit nice and neatly into someones wallet, but the overall point was at least made (I particularly like the divorce lawyer and divorce counselor cards)

BTW I didn't say simplicity was bad - seems you misunderstood that or maybe I didn't explain it enough. No worries, my fault.

Simplicity is my friend and goal whenever I'm designing something. I just don't care for it on business card designs - those are the ones that go in the trashcan for me. When talking about simplicity for business cards, I'm talking about designs like the OPs. Any design with a little more going on I'd be in favor of. I think that's what we're saying here

Hope I didn't confuse you more. I should work on my communication skills

[moni]

I see, simplicity when it comes to business card designs, well I agree, most of the 'simple' card designs out there are pretty much boring, but that's not to say all are!

Like you, I too love simplicity, it really does speak volume when it's done right, just breath taking. I'm a little passionate when it comes to design, more so after a few bong hits, but all in all I think hot simple biz card designs exist, and can be achieved rather easily if you can cook it up. example of a simple/hot biz concept, it's not the best, no way, just saying, it doesn't have to be elaborate or shoot fire out of its arse to stand out

Thanks for clarifying though Brian

PS. my business card is sickeningly simple, so simple it has people flipping it over back and forth and staring at me blankly when I hand it them

[Brian]

Originally Posted by moni

Like you, I too love simplicity, it really does speak volume when it's done right, just breath taking.

For sure! Simple designs are what inspired me to become a designer. I was amazed at the examples I was seeing where something so simple showed so much and decided I wanted to give it a shot, too

Originally Posted by moni

I'm a little passionate when it comes to design, more so after a few bong hits

Give me some sour diesel or some purple haze and I'm right there with ya

Originally Posted by moni

Thanks for clarifying though Brian

No problem and thanks for this discussion, I like your insight

[3ncryptabl3_lick]

Originally Posted by moni

PS. my business card is sickeningly simple, so simple it has people flipping it over back and forth and staring at me blankly when I hand it them

Same here.

Common front:


Back1


Back2


Well maybe not *that* simple...

[HighStatus]

I think it is to simple.

The "Web Design and Development" can stay, but the "Collective Core" is a bad font, also check the space between the letters, the "ct" is a lot closer then "ll"


Try to resizing the circles to 250% and let the orange circle be cut a little bit.

Also take 2 white lines, 0.5 cm from the top, and another line 0.5cm from the bottom, make it to %30 and take a soft brush and delete the ending points so it looks like its fading in and out.

[louiseq]

I think more is less with business card nowadays.
The less you put on the higher your status.

Ever heard of Simon Waterfall?
Chairman of D&AD (British Design & Art Direction) and owns the agency Poke London.

A friend of mine met him once, and he gave him a business card.
All it says on it is "Simon Waterfall"

Black 10pt arial in the top corner
Nothing else on it front or back..

Part of me likes that.. part of me wants to slap him..

[louiseq]

oh. my old company used to used a credit card CD rom..
Had the company flash presentation on it.

abbandoned later as they were costing too much.

like these
http://compactdiscreplication.com/cr...inesscards.jpg

[andr97]

Personally for me it's too simple.But simplicity isn't bad in fact!