bus. card

[mar1300]

hey,

here's a bus. card I'm working on. My solution was to come up with a soft gentle warm look. Nothing to fancy.

love to here your thoughts.

[Craig B]

Nuts of Passion? Sorry, I'm just having trouble getting by that. Seriously though, at a smalelr size, I think that "nuts of passion" will get "lost" .... have you printed it at 100% size to see how readable the text is?

[balou]

"Nuts of passion" - oh please tell me that's not a real business name.

I like the image and layout but I agree - the type is going to get lost when printed.

What kind of paper are you using? Would look cool on vellum or plastic.

[sally_ann6]

Nuts of passion lol. is yr market lonely ladies?

[EC]

Nuts of Passion? Sorry, I'm just having trouble getting by that. Seriously though, at a smalelr size, I think that "nuts of passion" will get "lost" .... have you printed it at 100% size to see how readable the text is?

Ditto.

[cjoe]

I have to agree the type needs work. The type on the right hand side is very ordinary, it doesn't look considered. I think you can afford to experiment with different typefaces.

[vtwin_gary]

agreed...mine aren't very passionate.


ec, i just noticed you are in anchorage. damn i was just there if i'd know we could have got together.

*sorry didn't mean to highjack*

[mar1300]

lol yea that's the name...... I haven't did a print test yet.

i'm not sure what kind of paper yet..

ok i'll work on the font

[EC]

ec, i just noticed you are in anchorage. damn i was just there if i'd know we could have got together.

*sorry didn't mean to highjack*

You're kidding. Bummer!! I would have bought you a beer ... you missed free beer dude!! What brought you all the way up here?

[lesliegraphics]

The "Nuts of Passion" is in a beautiful font, but it should be bigger, but not as big as the nuts. . . . exactly what kind of business is this anyway, I am I just not sure, do they sell nuts or am I missing something here. . .. . . . . . . .?

[vtwin_gary]

You're kidding. Bummer!! I would have bought you a beer ... you missed free beer dude!! What brought you all the way up here?


check out the good, the bad, the february (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14360)

[markf]

Nice picture. Ok here's some ideas:

Remove the text "address", "phone", "email" - everyone knows what these items are.
Now right-align that text.
Move the text up and to the left a little so that it doesn't sit too close to the border (notice the distance from the top left of your "nuts of passion" text - try to get the same spacing, or experiment)

You should maybe try an alternative font for the bit at the bottom right, but see how the changes above make it look...

[markf]

Sorry - an update on that last post, just went back and had a look. I see you've got that darker area at the bottom which will limit you when you try to move that text block up. Instead you can move it from the right a little to give a bit more space on the right margin, but still leave it low. Reduce the line spacing a little between those 4 lines and experiment with moving the name into the darkened area (not sure how this will turn out - you'll have to see it to see if it is an improvement or not). Again - changing the typeface here might change the whole effect - try it and see.

[mar1300]

yea they sell nuts but the nuts are seasoned with sugar and a bunch of other sweet stuff.

[balou]

IMO not a good choice for font change on bottom right.

Are you flexible with the Nuts of passion? Is it not their company logo?


(LOL! love the avatar markf!)

[mar1300]

They don't have a logo. It’s a home business. They just want to throw some business cards out and try to make it something big.

I'll work on the bottom text

[cjoe]

please not brush script :(. I think you are going in the right direction, but brush script is a very generic font. I think you can experiment with the placement of your details type, also. (your text is also very close to the bottom edge, your printer may not like this)
Also i think you mean; "a bunch of other sweet stuff" i wouldn't really want my nuts with any sweat stuff on them, thats pretty disgusting, lol.

[mar1300]

i guess i should stick to a sans seirf font for the bottom

[cjoe]

i guess i should stick to a sans seirf font for the bottom

well they are generally easier to read, than most script typefaces.

[mar1300]

ok i'll work on this tonite and keep u guys updated

[markf]

By the way - I preferred the way you had "nuts of passion" on the first design, i.e. before you added that big chocolate coloured oval to it. You had the words positioned over a very light part of the picture, so the dark text and the light background worked well. To improve the effect you could also try to increase the font weight of that text.

Regarding the text on the bottom right - you're right - sans serif is the way to go there!

[mar1300]

well i think this will be my last attempt for the nite..

[rockem]

I think your going the wrong way with these the type is getting worse, pick up a book and study up on typography, do some research on some well designed cards

[balou]

By the way - I preferred the way you had "nuts of passion" on the first design, i.e. before you added that big chocolate coloured oval to it. You had the words positioned over a very light part of the picture, so the dark text and the light background worked well. To improve the effect you could also try to increase the font weight of that text.

Regarding the text on the bottom right - you're right - sans serif is the way to go there!

/\ ditto /\

[LancasterJohn]

I know I'm coming into this late in the game, but here's my opinion: lose the photography of the nuts and come up with something more graphic for a visual. In doing so you may arrive at a better typographic choice and a more "sincere" looking design. Right now the nuts are looking too pornographic.

[mar1300]

maybe your right....it's time to scrap it and move on

[balou]

I like this last one.

[LancasterJohn]

The photography of the nuts may be better served in a print ad or Web banner -- never on stationery or biz cards. Think of photography as a crutch and you will come up with something better. Pencil and paper. Think conceptually.

[Epectasis]

ok, i just want to mention about paper...

if you plan on keeping the picture, your choices in terms of paper will be seriously limited, frankly, i think you'll be left to either a gloss paper or possibly a non-gloss paper with a varnish finish. That's the only way to make photos like that stand out.

And i agree about the whole "Nuts of passion" thing...some people will say "ugh, grow up" but let's face it, that'll be like 90% of people's reaction...it's hard to design something good when you've got such an "interesting" business name...

(btw, saw that rockem was at it with his antics again :P )

[typographics]

mar1300,

first of all, i think "nuts of passion" is a great name. i got a good laugh out of it. i disagree with the idea that people will be turned off by the name. you know why? because they sell nuts. when you sell something like that, i think you can get away with having some fun with your name. who takes nuts seriously?

secondly, i really like the picture. it definatly has that soft-porn look to it. again, its funny but not in a gross way. i dont see anything wrong with poking fun at yourself. if my company was "nuts of passion", this is exactly the kind of business card i would want! i think it works perfectly with the name and as long as it is a high quality image, it should print just fine.

remember, you want to look at it from the viewpoint of the target market. if i am the kind of person that really enjoys nuts, and buys them in bulk, i think i would get a kick out of this business name. especially if the nuts came in a decorative bag, with silk underlining and rose flower pedals...you know, romantic crap. the entire business concept is really fun in my opinion.

i just wanted to make those two points. good luck with it!

matthew~

[lesliegraphics]

I agree, the word passion in combination with the photo of the nuts just kind of confuses; you don't want someone saying : what kind of business is this?

[Loner]

I don't think the black area goes with the whole thing, have you tried other light smooth colours? To make sure that black is the correct/best colour with the image of the nuts

[JaCkinbOx]

I've got your nuts of passion, right here!


Sorry, sorry.

[mar1300]

lol......i didn't think these "nuts of passion" would cause so much excitement

Here’s another attempt

[EC]

I think I like this better. Just a couple of comments ...

Your capitalizations are inconsistent. The title is in lower caps, the "Nuts of passion" is first word capitalized then "Brooklyn New York" is all initial caps.

I am not sure what that pink line at the top is doing. But I like this better.

I think maybe they need a tagline.

[mar1300]

thanks

yea they're tryin to come up with one. (tag line)

I'll work on the capitalizations

do you think i should lose the pink line? (i thought it would help lead the eye visually)

[Navian]

I think I like this better. Just a couple of comments ...

Your capitalizations are inconsistent. The title is in lower caps, the "Nuts of passion" is first word capitalized then "Brooklyn New York" is all initial caps.

I am not sure what that pink line at the top is doing. But I like this better.

I think maybe they need a tagline.

I agree, maybe take the little pink line and move it to align it with the text below, have it just above the name.

I wonder how it would turn out if you lowercased everything? Most people dont do that in design, but there are a few who can pull off the all lowercaseings, and the design turns out really sexy.

Sorry the "sexy" term, I used while i did some industrial design stuff. It gets used for a really hot design. I havent noticed many graphic designers use it. BUT I used it in class on a couple (GD) critiques, and it started like an addicted craze, now everyone in class uses it.

[Drorain]

I'm a sick man...but how on earth did i miss this post

all I can think of is some guy using an ink roller on his ________ and then teabagging a sheet of paper

[Navian]

I'm a sick man...but how on earth did i miss this post

all I can think of is some guy using an ink roller on his ________ and then teabagging a sheet of paper

LOL

[EC]

thanks

yea they're tryin to come up with one. (tag line)

I'll work on the capitalizations

do you think i should lose the pink line? (i thought it would help lead the eye visually)

I don't think you need to lose it, but I don't understand it's placement. I think in this case you do need to play it safe and use alignment, align it left with the text maybe. And then take that whole "group" on the right and make sure it's centered visually (vertically) with the logo.

[balou]

eek!:eek::eek::eek:

edit:(eek to Drorain's comment - not the BC)

[EC]

Also, and forgive me if you already know this -- but be sure to check with your printer about how to set your "black" ...

[morea]

bad imagery, dro. :o

[mar1300]

thanks for the quick comments i'll work on that and repost

[Drorain]

yah it was a little 'american pie-ish' wasnt it...you guys should see what some fine-artists are doing...but I wont get into it.

The overall black on this is gonna be real tough on any cmyk printer I think, the plates coating that much consistently...*shudder*

[mar1300]

here's the small caps

and a quick lil made up tag line

[mar1300]

reg. caps

[Drorain]

you'll wanna change the tag line to

"taste buds wanted"

spuds is another name for potatoes

[morea]

that combo of company name and tagline sounds kind of dirty...

how about this... I think this is great... lol!

"Let's Get Crackin' "

[Drorain]

:eek: isnt that a little violent :eek:

*sneaks out of the room*

[mar1300]

thanks....

i changed the tag line.......it's only a place holder for the moment on till they give me the real one

[emmerse]

what about: "You'll love to have our nuts in your mouth"

yes? no?

;) :D

I like the regular caps one best, cept your still need to capitalize the P in passion on the left.

[Navian]

i ment lower case, not small caps. :p

[morea]

are they totally hung up on that name? I'm sorry, I don't think it's the image they want to project...

Possibly an alternative... maybe "Nutty by Nature" or something like that?
I dunno. :o

[EC]

Yeah I agree, I think small caps are kind of hard to read - fine for subheads and stuff, but all the way through it's jarring.

I think the line needs to be longer so there's some sense of symmetry there.

Other possible tags:
"Our nuts are delicious"
"Get 'em while they're hot!"
"What do we sell? Oh, nuts!"
"We must be nuts to have chosen this company name"

[Drorain]

"Nuts on nuts"

LOL I kill me

[flutterby nut]

i like the blatant imagery portrayed by the photgraph of nuts...shows me what i should really be thinking when i read the name...this new direction leaves too much to the imagination to fill in...the nut drawing looks something like a peach pit to me...another question...why pink?...liked the first version better...just thoughts.

[morea]

^ that is an excellent point.

slightly off topic: The other day I was trying to explain to a coworker that designing a logo is more than typing a name and putting a photo next to it. Honestly, can you imagine how much that would do for your image if you were a proctologist?

Please note, I'm not saying that's what you are doing here... although I also liked the first version better. This current one reminds me of a peach pit, too.

If they want to stick with the company name "nuts of passion" (have them try "Passionut" instead, lol! I love puns.) maybe consider using "passion" imagery...

[flutterby nut]

lmao morea!...why'd you have to go there?

[morea]

the other one I mentioned was an OBGYN. :D

[flutterby nut]

i too like 'passionut'..hehe...but wouldn't go down the 'passion' imagery road...danger lurks in them thar woods!

[morea]

lol! I was thinking hearts and flowers.

PASSIONUT! That's a blast.

[flutterby nut]

so they majored in OBGYN and minored in proctology?!?:eek:

[morea]

actually, it was entirely hypothetcial... but that would be a hell of a logo. :p

[mar1300]

hhmmmm....."Passionut" I like that... it's a lot better that "nuts of passion" I'm finding that extremly hard to design for. every direction i take seems to be a dead end. I'll bring up "passionut to them.


thanks

[sally_ann6]

maybe Nuts by Nature and focus on the wholefood element.

I know the title wasn't really up for critique but it does lead oneself to go in the direction of filth and although sex sells, i don't consider salted peanuts that arousing.

[Drorain]

maybe Nuts by Nature and focus on the wholefood element.

I know the title wasn't really up for critique but it does lead oneself to go in the direction of filth and although sex sells, i don't consider salted peanuts that arousing.

well obviously you missed out on Dane Cook's lecture about the arousing topic of Cashews and how he was able to catapult it...oh wait...umm I'm not gonna go off topic

anyway watch Dane Cook's opening on SNL, sure you can find it online, for um reference to sex nuts

[reuber1]

Catapulted off his lead singer.

He's apparently going to have an HBO comedy special in a few months. Should be nothing short of hilarious.

Sorry, first thing I think of with Nuts of Passion is some hardcore, "in your face" (so to speak) porn. I really wish that could be reconsidered.

[MD]

yea they're tryin to come up with one. (tag line))

How About:

Our nuts - more than a mouthful.

Just one taste and out nuts will never leave your mouth.

Our Nuts are Salty and Delicious.

Women go crazy for our Nuts of Passion.

[EC]

Funny and all, but I personally wouldn't want my business name to become a joke. There is a fine line between humor/clever and putting people off entirely.

I wouldn't buy a nut of passion, just wouldn't. :(

[MD]

The business name will be a joke anyways. I can see packaging and ads finding their way on Jay Leno and in the Found Porn section of Maxim - might as well roll with it.

[sally_ann6]

I might buy a nut of passion but i bet it would be a disappointment once open.

[reuber1]

I already have two...they're nothing to brag about, really.

[Drorain]

Catapulted off his lead singer.

He's apparently going to have an HBO comedy special in a few months. Should be nothing short of hilarious.

Sorry, first thing I think of with Nuts of Passion is some hardcore, "in your face" (so to speak) porn. I really wish that could be reconsidered.

and apparently I'm going to be in that audience with some mighty fine seats

jealous? I knew you would be

[Drorain]

This reminds me of the SNL skit

Shweaty Balls

[MD]

I already have two...they're nothing to brag about, really.
Sucks to be you roobs - MD's Nuts of Passion are world renowned :D

[EC]

This reminds me of the SNL skit

Shweaty Balls

Good times.

[mar1300]

Well I went back to the drawing board this weekend and came up with this idea.
I also talked to my friend who’s also the client about the name “nuts of passion” she agreed to change it to “passionut” (thank you morea great suggestion) she loved it THANK GOD!


What do you think?

[mar1300]

here's the back

[reuber1]

MUCH better. Love the backside of the card. Nice!

I think the color plays well with PASSION, and the tree is enough to emphasize the "nut".

[sally_ann6]

Me likey.

[mar1300]

thank you! it was so hard to design for the other name "nuts of passion" you guys helped out a lot thanks

[Epectasis]

i agree, this is way better than the thing from before. good job.

[markf]

Nice job. Suddenly a lot of things have fallen into place. Nice alignment with some strong edges, good (but subtle) contrast with your small caps/caps thick/thin font weight. The all small caps did look a bit disturbing before, but they seem to work quite well now. ditto for the typefaces - they did just seem to suck before, seems much better now.

Big improvement - well done!

[reuber1]

Maybe it's just me now, but that O in passion seems a little far to the left of the N in nut; maybe it needs to be nudged to the right just a shade. That's really the only thing I can find at the moment, otherwise like I said before, excellent job.

[markf]

Just something I forgot to mention before - does your client really want to have a hotmail address listed on her business card? Now one of the smart things you did was use a name which is a bit unusual, which means that the domains are available for registration. Since they cost something like $7 each don't miss out... When you register a domain also consider the ways people might misspell the domain and register those as well. A domain is also part of the company's image, though because you can't see the domain itself (rather just the website) people often don't give it much thought. Once the business grows it will be one of the more valuable assets they might own...

[morea]

^ that's a great point.

I think your latest version is lovely. Nice progression! Good work. :)

[mar1300]

thanks......

reuber1....I think i see what ur talking about with the "O" I'll give it a lil nudge.

markf......yea alot of things did fall into place well here and I'll talk to her about the whole domain registration thing.

[mar1300]

thank you morea, and thank you for the name suggestion it made it alot more easier to come up with a solution..

[morea]

she agreed to change it to “passionut” (thank you morea great suggestion)

you're welcome. Just have your friend send me some nuts! LOL! :p

Seriously though, it's unique and "fun" but without such a potential for inuendo. I think that this is a much more professional image for the company.

[mar1300]

lol.....will do

[cjoe]

well done mar1300 i think your design has improved dramatically since your initial design, i have to admit, that your first design led me to believe you were an amateur, but you must hav been drunk, or have split personalities because your latest work is great.

[Craig B]

Definitely a much improved concept from the start. Very cool execution, and the back is great.

Not to keep nitpicking over spacing, but the "P" is poorly kerned from the rest of the word and "nut" seems a little tightly kerned compared to the rest of the letter spacing.

Otehr than that, I think it's great. Nice job

[tZ]

like the idea/concept- with the feminate nature through use of the colors.

However, I hate the conmposition of the business card.

I think now that you have established a much more strong concept that the cards composition can be more sucessfull- then just to thrown type on and logo and call it the day.

Perhaps have the typography being sprinkled onto the nuts.

Perhaps have the typography being sprinkled on the back and have the lone logo on the front with the nut... or something to that nature.

This would activate the card area/cpmposition more and allow for an increasingly sucessfull 360 degree interaction- based the concept-

sprinkling the type onto- front
the nut - back

Something to that affect seems liek it would be a better solution then what you have now- in my opinion.

- disregard: I didn't see the page before- ops!

[balou]

What a fun progression to watch! Nice work!

If I were going to snail mail something to her, I'd have to call to get full mailing address/zip code. Unless she just wants people to call or email in which case, take the PO box off. I don't understand what "800 Brooklyn" means.

I love the back of the card - fun!

[rockem]

the back is nice plays with it good, the passionuts confuses me, but if the client liked it oh well,
I dont get the tree thing though, why a tree?
Much better revision still think the type needs to be worked with, kerning leading and tracking, capatilization

[mar1300]

well done mar1300 i think your design has improved dramatically since your initial design, i have to admit, that your first design led me to believe you were an amateur, but you must hav been drunk, or have split personalities because your latest work is great.

That’s such a huge complement, because I still consider my self an amateur. Doesn’t matter what I’m doing I find my first few designs to be always awful, but at the time I think they’re great. Do you guys go through that or is that just inexperience talking?


Definitely a much improved concept from the start. Very cool execution, and the back is great.

Not to keep nitpicking over spacing, but the "P" is poorly kerned from the rest of the word and "nut" seems a little tightly kerned compared to the rest of the letter spacing.

Otehr than that, I think it's great. Nice job

I know my typography is really bad I’m trying to teach myself to become better at it. It’s so amazing how you guys can see the flaws in the type so easily. How do you do it?


What a fun progression to watch! Nice work!

If I were going to snail mail something to her, I'd have to call to get full mailing address/zip code. Unless she just wants people to call or email in which case, take the PO box off. I don't understand what "800 Brooklyn" means.

I love the back of the card - fun!

All that information is made up stuff I still need to get the real information off her.


the back is nice plays with it good, the passionuts confuses me, but if the client liked it oh well,
I dont get the tree thing though, why a tree?
Much better revision still think the type needs to be worked with, kerning leading and tracking, capatilization

The main nut used in this product is walnuts and I wanted to show the nature side of walnuts and since they grow from “walnut trees” what better way to express that.