Chris, did you mean #3 with the grey background or #4 with the black. I added arrows in. The grey seems blah to me, but I know I don't have an objective eye.
I added #8, which shows that layout with color.
The reason I'm leaning towards a strong color is to have it stand out enough to get peoples attention. I'd rather have it be a little gaudy and be picked up than to have it ignored. I'm trying to keep the potential clients in mind and not my personal preference.
And if anyone REALLY feels I'm shooting my self in the foot by not hiring a graphic designer, feel free to speak up.
Although no photography pro, I have designed my share of business cards and have taken part in numerous marketing workshops. The number one reason people hang onto a business card is because they've used the back to write something they don't want to lose. It's true that some of your fans will keep the cards regardless.
I can't tell you the number of times I've looked through all the business cards that have collected on my desk and ended up putting some back in my wallet because I wrote something I needed on the back.
For that reason, I'd choose 4 with the white, non-gloss back.
carraig wrote:
Although no photography pro, I have designed my share of business cards and have taken part in numerous marketing workshops. The number one reason people hang onto a business card is because they've used the back to write something they don't want to lose. It's true that some of your fans will keep the cards regardless.
I can't tell you the number of times I've looked through all the business cards that have collected on my desk and ended up putting some back in my wallet because I wrote something I needed on the back.
For that reason, I'd choose 4 with the white, non-gloss back.
I like #3. This is great advice. People will hold onto your business card out of a stack if YOU right something on the back, like your Cell-phone or a "special number" which people can reach you at. I need to do this more, but it's very effective.
Just remembering some of the mixers I've been too and sorted out some of the cards I was going to toss away, I can recall now keeping the 1 or 2 on which people had written an email or something on it. Makes it feel like "you cant lose this info".
Of the three that I see currently posted, I like the last one the best. But something that bugs me about all three is the rule between the name and the domain/phone number - it's much too tight in there - you can probably drop that rule entirely, and open the space between everything just a little bit.
The black definately makes the image stand out and the last image looks like the card is two halves image top and design bottom whereas a. the entire thing works together for a more visualy pleasing look.
Edited by Chris Fawkes on Apr 07, 2008 at 07:38 AM GMT
I've updated the list down to two and changed up the text on B.
Final vote and comments, please!
It's been mentioned that the name is hard to read, but I think I'm okay with that since I really like that font and they can remember the business name/url. I've tried upteen other fonts for my name and haven't come up with anything else that I like. Again though, I'm not objective. Input welcome.
I like B's layout more, but I find the font to be too busy. Too many font size's. I'd change your name font so that it's the same size and style as "photography by..." If you changed that I would vote for this one.
I also think A would look better with the same name font suggestion and bringing the domain and phone number below the picture. (BTW which I don't know if you noticed is off centre)
Your name is important, why put it on there if people have a hard time reading it. I would have a hard time reading it if I didn't see your user name here on FM.
As others have suggested, keep the picture, it fit's well with the cards style
sboerup wrote:
I like #3. This is great advice. People will hold onto your business card out of a stack if YOU right something on the back, like your Cell-phone or a "special number" which people can reach you at. I need to do this more, but it's very effective.
Just remembering some of the mixers I've been too and sorted out some of the cards I was going to toss away, I can recall now keeping the 1 or 2 on which people had written an email or something on it. Makes it feel like "you cant lose this info".
That's a great point Spencer. Back in the day when i sold cars I would use that to my benefit. I had some business cards I deliberately made with my office phone only. Then, when I would give a card to someone I would say something along the lines of "I'll tell you what. Even though it's not listed on the card, I'll go ahead and write my cell phone number on the back to ensure you can reach me any time." or something along those lines.
It will make your client feel special, and because they have "secret" information they're not liable to throw the card out.
Personally I like the second one better, but I'm going to use the first one. It'll work better for a display sign at a bridal stroll and I want that to be the same as my business cards. I'm going to keep the signature font but went with plain text on my postcards. Funny thing is, if I used my actual signature, there wouldn't be anyone would could ever read it, even if they knew me! At least the script is an improvement over that.
