Postcard I am working on

[Vikia]

Background: Society Brunch, Client wants to use PMS 280 and tints (brand colors). Keynote topic: Chartering Creighton's Future...

At first they wanted understated, one or two colors, simple use of Society logo and Academic looking san serif font. But my first proof to them was met with yawns whereupon they decided they needed a bit more.

So I upped the graphics a bit using Illy's flare effect (first time I have used this) to see what it would look like. I think it works in this instance as they are referencing light and shadow. But beware, this effect is memory intensive.

http://www.vikiandersonsites.com/forumimages/Postcard2.jpg
http://www.vikiandersonsites.com/forumimages/postcard2.jpg

[Jason Fraker]

It looks very academic, but also kind of reminds me of an invitation to an exhibit at the local planetarium. Are you telling me that teh whole piece is one color? If that's true, then this is a really strong piece, because it doesn't feel cheap or anything. The typograhy is elegant and easily read.Would it be possible for the center image to bleed? The margins look a little screwy the way it is.

[morea]

^ well said! Love your type choices. The piece has a very dignified feel, imo.

The lack of bleed doesn't bother me. I don't mind the lens flare, either. I think it works for this. ;)

[rockem]

I think the opposite, there are way tomany fonts in the one piece, I dont get an acaaaaademic feel to it at all,The broder around the picture thing is that going to be like that or is it gonna be bled to the edges? The lens flare thing just hurts my eyes,why is it there? All the different fonts are competing with each other on how it should be read. What comes first second third? Your keynote topic that was stated from the client is one of the last things you see.

[defjoe]

it's bright, it's hurting my eyes.

;)

[Vikia]

Oops sorry the bleed is off because I chopped it off short on one side when I made the jpg for this. It is centered on the actual piece.

[Vikia]

it's bright, it's hurting my eyes.

;)

Here, use my sunglasses:cool:

[rockem]

Here, use my sunglasses:cool:

it melted them

[Vikia]

Rockem, actually there is no bleed. My cropping for a quick jpg leaves much to be desired. LOL sorry to hurt your eyes too. Thanks for your feedback.

[emmerse]

does the piece work without the lens flare? if not, you have a flaw in the layout that needs addressing.

the centered text is bugging me, how would a right align look? Not really loving the font, but don't hate it either.

I think the mission statement and the "ed & mary society" part at the bottom need to be flopped. I missed the statement all together at first, and it would be a nice phrase to leave the viewer with at the bottom of the card.

main issue is there is a hierarchy problem. My eyes (obviously) saw the lense flare first, then the info to the right, then the bottom bit... and finally the mission statement last. its an odd path to follow, is that how you want your viewers eyes directed?

[AlexNJ210]

My suggestions, print the card with the lensflare, see what it looks like printed, it does have too much weight on the computer screen. Possibly ditch it. I like the design elements, but as emmerse said you have a heirarchy problem. How is the card SUPPOSED to read? If it is supposed to read from top to bottom, then i suggest toning down the lense flare, darkening the headline of text, attempt a better hierarchy with middle element and make the script type MUCH smaller. The bottom line (society name) is way to large. Let THAT be the last ting read. It is already in the secondary heading in the middle portion of the card. I would also suggest a bold face version of the font style for that 2nd heading.

[Zenobian Grey]

Possible suggestions:

Is there anyway to stylize the entire piece? For instance, instead of a gradients in the lens flare how about shade ascending flat tones? I understand the flare is in context to your piece but I'm thinking you need another approach into giving the impression of light particles.

Realistic lens flares are better left to photography, film and 3D animation. For print work, they hardly ever come out sparkling. Ever since programmers created script for lens flares in software, designers and non designers have been going crazy, a little to ray happy if for my personal taste, it's not natural.

Try limiting your typeface count to 2 max. Any more and things start to get visually tricky for the eye.

Have you tried a border less design? As in bleeding the blue background and graphics off the edges of the paper. There's no visual reason to place a white border, it's not helping the eye lead in or set direction. Bleeding has become popular in modern design and I suggest you give it a try.

Get creative with the placement of your text, use a composition grid or graph so you find the proper line intersections.

Above all, the lenseflare is a bit intrusive to the design.

[danedawg99]

i like the design, and the type looks good to me. The flare i think is fine, but I'd almost want to see it without or with just the circles. Good stuff! :)

[Rocketpig]

Needs more cowbell.

As usual your type choices are right on the money, Vikia.

I'd like to see a print of it... I bet the purple will be a lot less offensive on paper.

[Ieatsox]

I love it! I can only hope to do that one day

[Vikia]

LOL - This is truly how it goes with some clients. ;)

They have a vision and want you to explore ideas like the one I started with at the beginning of this thread.

Then several committee meetings later you get closer to consensus. It just looks nothing like their original vision/ideas.

Version #9 was approved
The font used is Radiant for the Sans Serif
The other font is actually thier logo and I have no idea what script it is.
They went with Victorian photos done in duotone of 280 blue and black.
Their brand color is 280.

http://www.vikiandersonsites.com/forumimages/postcard9.jpg

[AlexNJ210]

Nice compromise, sorry you didnt get to make something you liked.:o