My First Business Card - Thoughts?

S

Squiddy

Guest
Just wanted to know what people think of the design, it's going to match the design style of my website, which is also in progress.

Apologies for the large images, but they don't look quite as clear in smaller versions. I assume that scaling isn't so much of an issue here as it's not like people can make text larger or smaller on the business card like they can in a browser...! However, if the text is simply too small then that's something I need to address.

Anyway, let me know what you think please. As per usual, please don't hold back in your (constructive) criticisms :)


Front: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/front.png

Back: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/back.png
 
What size is it?

6pt is getting a bit small, 7/8 is comfortable. When I scaled the image down, it looked a bit too small, I think you could make the information a fair amount bigger without compromising the design at all.
 
The document size is 8.5cm x 5cm (450ppi) and the font size is 4pt. I think I will make the text larger, bear with me a moment or two.
 
Sorry don't like them. They look a bit amateurish, especially the logo, if I'm honest.

You'll ask why does it look amateurish to me so here's my reasons.

Your main LA Design bit basically is a font with 3 'photoshop' filters applied, bevel, gradient and external glow. Your back side looks like LA Design is one word too.

Your texture along with the logo makes it look dated, it makes me think of magnum PI or miami vice with their rolled up suit jackets etc. Also think you'll have issues with it's printing too.

Sidenote: I don't like the background on your site either, it's too light and it makes it look blotchy
 
I'm really not liking the slogan. It's a pretty big promise you are making there... I'd bounce a few ideas about.
 
Post the image at the size it will be printed. I really cant get a feel for the suitability of the font size when it FILLS my screen.
 
OK, well I've taken on board a lot of what you've said and made the appropriate changes.

You're right Levi, I would have asked, because simply saying something looks bad is not what I would call constructive criticism - so thank you for doing so. As for my website, ignore that for now as I haven't uploaded anything new on there for a long time. It appears to be in much the same situation as your own site. Below is what it currently looks like and it is by no means finished.

http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/index.png

Front: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/frontsmall.png
Back: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/backsmall.png
 
I think i would scale the content of the front a wee bit up, about 5-10%. I think that would help out the overall design. As for Levi's criticism of the logo, then keep in mind everything related to design is a subjective matter - and for logos Less is more.

A good logo is a logo that works out in every color scheme and still looks recognizable ;)

//Fredskov
 
Personally I think some of the text is pretty small. You have to allow for the fact that it will be on a small business card and not everyone has 20-20 vision. I think you need to work on it's readability.
 
Yeah, I was worried about that so I just printed them out... definitely needs to be bigger. and Levi was right about the printing issues with the background. I was kind of expecting it, never mind. Back to the drawing board :)
 
Squidy, I wouldn't worry about having to go back and start over. Doing your own 'design' is probably the hardest thing you'll ever do, trust me on that, I've been trying to 'update' my site (along with a rebranding) for around 9 months, I'm onto a new revision to the design as we speak lol
 
Okay, let's try this again.

I've come up with a new concept for the business card and logo. I think I might need to make a few changes but hopefully it's better than the last one and I'm now on the right track.

I was imagining it printed on a heavy textured card and have the logo done in spot uv.

Please let me know what you think :)
 

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Is the big grey border being printed too.....

What's with the 60's inspired swirls in your LA bit and your text on the rear is too tight together in my opinion.
 
Of course the big grey border isn't going to be printed! I just needed something to separate the white tab at the bottom and it looked better than a block colour. I'm just imagining how bad it would look printed with the business card, haha, I probably should have mentioned that.

What is it with you relating everything to prehistoric eras? Lol. I guess I'll just have plain text then. Yeah there is definitely something not quite right with the text on the back isn't there. I'll have another go at that tomorrow.
 
all designers should at least know about the key design periods, it's not like the 60's isn't referenced enough in current fashion design etc lol
 
Okay, I said I'd do it tomorrow but I decided to get it done now.

The "60's inspired swirls" are gone, the text has been fixed, I added some more info the front and the white line at the bottom has been made thinner.

Am I there yet? :)

Front: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/front.png
Back: http://www.ladesigns.co.uk/images/back.png

EDIT: The smaller text is still looking a little dodgy, due to the small image I think, I'll have another look at it later as I'm going out now.
 
I think it's better, small text is still an issue though. Is it the best you can come up with, not sure.....
 
I've been working on my own business card for 3 years.... lol.... I've made dozens of print-ready files, then left the project and came across brand new, brilliant - as I was thinking - ideas... And so on...

I think you may force yourself to make something absolutely different. Another type, layout, maybe in portrait, or something more dynamic. I find this project in a middle. But it should be stronger :)
 
Thanks a lot for the critique guys. I realise my first design was an atrocity now. Not sure why I couldn't see that for myself...

I think, for my own sanity, that I will just use these cards - after I've sorted the text issue. Otherwise It's going to be a constant process of re-doing them. It really does suck up an awful lot of time...

If I stick to smaller print runs then I can always re-design them later on without having to worry about never using hundreds of cards that are lying around gathering dust.

I think it's better to have something that's 'fairly decent' than nothing at all.
 
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