Critique of a Business Card

[waffles]

I'm getting tired of writing out information whenever I need to share it with someone, so I've decided to print some business cards.

Before we get into anything else, I've looked at where people on DPS get them printed and I've decided that printing myself is the way to go, at least for starters. I like the idea of being able to have them instantly, and if things go over well then I'll start looking more seriously So while that information might be helpful, please keep in mind what I've already decided and don't overload me with that sort of help.

Alright, here's the card as it is now.



1 - The black border really is there.
2 - I like the yellow around that red box. I also have another layer without the yellow, so changing that is just a one click fix.
3 - I really like the font for my name. But it's also not the most professional thing in the world. Does that matter if the rest of the text is in Arial?
4 - I really felt like I needed something to go where the camera is. Was the camera a good choice? Was it executed the way it should be? Is there anything that would work better? I'm really trying not to pain myself into a corner here by putting something from a specific sport.
5 - Any other comments are perfectly welcome.

[oldwolf]

how about a picture of you taking a picture instead of the camera? would give them a face to a name.

i'd also minimize the amount of contact info on there. one email addy and one webpage to look at. that way the customer isn't wondering which email will work and which email you'll check first.

can't comment on the color scheme much because i can't put my finger on it. it just seems a bit off. i guess the red and yellow would be ok if they were your team colors or something but i think those colors along with the black border throws it off for some reason.

just my 2 cents.

[lputman]

Is the black border necessary? Can the yellow border be thinner?

I like the font for your name also and I think it's fine. I'd probably not have the text in bold...it looks like a bold font and when printed, it might be too much.

Are both email addresses needed? It gives me an impression of indecision.

I think the camera works very well. One thing that could work well to is to overlay something sports related, pieces of a goal, basketball, soccer ball, etc. I made some cards for my husband as a coach for an AAU basketball team and the background looked very well with that type of collage effect.

[AnneWynne]

My 2 cents:


1 - The black border really is there.

Don't like it. Makes the card too busy. Remember that when you print out your card it will be smaller than what we see posted. I also think the the black and red make the card look heavy.


2 - I like the yellow around that red box. I also have another layer without the yellow, so changing that is just a one click fix.

The yellow around the red box might look better without the black border

3 - I really like the font for my name. But it's also not the most professional thing in the world. Does that matter if the rest of the text is in Arial?

Name font is fine. One thing you might want to think about is using the same font in your headers on your web page and other items that are associated with your photography...kinda like name branding.....

Arial is a good choice. When you print the cards the Ariel font will come out crisp and clear because it is a sans serif style font. You might want to use the same font for the "sport photographer" as you did for your name. Change the font size
4 - I really felt like I needed something to go where the camera is. Was the camera a good choice? Was it executed the way it should be? Is there anything that would work better? I'm really trying not to pain myself into a corner here by putting something from a specific sport.

There is sometihng about the camera I don't like....can't really put a finger on it. It may be too large/heavy an image. It may be that the contact information is left justified (I would suggest right justification of the contact information).

5 - Any other comments are perfectly welcome.[/QUOTE]

minimize the contact information.

You might want to go to some biz card sites and just play around with their formating to see how a card can look. Vista print is who I use. There are plenty of others out there for when you are ready to have cards printed in the 100s.

I have decided that I am going to customize my cards for specific settings I am marketing to....one style with a pet photo, another with child photo, another with generic photo. That way when I hand people my card, I can give them a little taste of what I do. When you print your own cards, you can change your graphic to fit the sport you are photographing...

My 2 cents....I think you do have a good start.

Regards,
Anne

[edmDusty]

I'm going to join the chorus here and agree that this card is too busy. Think simplicity. People like to look and simple things and they are repelled by complicated and busy things. This is something I think about every day when taking pictures.

May I suggest moo.com. I use the small moo card (it's about .5 the size.) and people really like them. The front I just have one of my favorite photos and on the back I have my name, email, and website. All written out in a simple font.

I like the idea of putting a photo on the card then people know what you can do. I've had people contact me saying, "I found the card in my purse and I really love the photo. Can I buy it?" Additionally I have differnt cards for the target market I'm going after. ie a baby for mothers, wedding for younger couples, and an urban shot for younger people (and cute girls )


I hand the cards out everywhere I go to anyone who'll talk to me. The moo cards cast 20 bucks for 100 and so I figure if I get one job per 100 it was worth the cost.


Eidit__________
Here's the email I got~~

Hi Dustin,
Somehow I ended up with your business card in my purse and was blown away when I finally went online to look at the photos. I have been searching for some great interesting photography to put in my room. I want very, very large prints and was wondering if you sold your work (if it is able to be printed largely) and what I would have to do in order to make it happen! Thanks so much. Great work and I hope to hear from you soon,
Tessa

Also, on the business card of yours that I have is the photo of someone biking through the city, which is really what caught my eye, is that one also available? I don't remember seeing it on flickr. Thanks again,
Tessa

[imagesbyjk]

I think one email and one website would suffice. You can link to the other not mentioned online. I'm also a big believer in if you're a photographer you should have a photograph on your card. Pick a killer shot and use it on the card. There's nothing on the card that says SPORTS on it. And nothing on the card that leads me to believe you'd be worth calling about sports photography.

[kirbinster]

Agree one set of contact data. What about a phone number?

While I like the overall look, the font is too large for the contact data, it takes away from your identity.

I know you said you are going to print them yourself, but why not use something like Vistaprint.com which will actually print something like 100 for free with shipping of only $4.95 - it looks more professional than home printed.

[Heidilyn]

I also agree - less is more.

I would use just one email and one website address, and add your phone number.

I'm not a big fan of the camera either...not sure why...

Are you set on using the dark colors? What about using the same colors that are on your site?

I also agree with doing maybe a pic/pics in the bg perhaps...to break it up a bit.

The font Arial is fine, nice and clear, easy to read.

[OsmosisStudios]

I definetly advise against using a border around a business card: when it's printed there's NO way it's going to be constant from card to card or side to side. It's just not possible, and it makes the card feel smaller and constrained.

Im not a fan of the yellow and red, but that may just be me. It also definetly needs a bit of a redesign. Google some simple business cards and see. There might be something that interests you.

If you absolutely must have the camera, why not just show the front of the lens coming off the corner. I can have an example if youd like.

[Daisie]

I'm not going to restate what everyone else said, but I agree with it. Whether it's fair or not, a potential client will judge your photographic "eye" based on your eye for design. I would, at least.

The camera looks heavy and kind of... old-fashioned, or not very chic. I realize that you may be going for a classic look, but it's probably better to put a modern spin on it. And forgive me, but the http:// stuff in the web addresses looks like you cut and pasted from your address bar without thinking about it. IMO, it would look much cleaner if you left that off. The sans serif font is nice, but is there something besides Arial you could use? The Arial sort of screams "default" to me, even if it wasn't really, and it's probably what everyone else is using. Remember that you want to stand out.