Business Card Design

[odizzle]

This is my first time to post on here, but I've been reading for a couple months. I am about to graduate school and in preparation of that I have to design a self identity and business card. I am looking for some feedback on what I've come up with so far before I spend the money to have them printed. Here's what I've come up with:

Front:
http://www.olenduncan.com/BusinessCard_Front_Web.jpg

Back
http://www.olenduncan.com/BusinessCard_back_Web.jpg

I still not sure how I'm going to have it printed, but I would like to do something that is eye-catching and unique looking. So if anyone has suggestions on different printing techniques or finishes I could look into, I would appreciate that. Thanks!

[Riya]

Nice. Get it printed on metal.

[CkretAjint]

This is going to sound REALLY anal retentive, but...

I bothers me that your 'wrench' is going onto the bolt wrong and will strip it. Plus the wrench is to large for the 'bolt'. I know, stupid and petty... But I am a wrencher on the weekends, and that irks me. :p

[budafist]

The first thing that jumps out at me is that the O isn't centred on itself.

Here's a diagram of what I mean. See the 2 green circles? The top circle fits the blue space. The bottom circle is the same size as the top circle, but the blue space is too big. The orange arrow shows the extra space.
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5012/circlessy4.jpg

I can't see any reason why the grey shape isn't centred on the blue shape.

The logo makes me think of tools. Namely a wrench and a bolt. Is this intentional or just a coincidence?
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2113944/2/istockphoto_2113944_wrench_and_bolt.jpg

I'd increase the leading for the contact details just a little.

Apart from these things, I like the design. It's clean looking, but not boring at all.

[budafist]

CA is a wrencher in the weekends? Learn something new every day...

[CkretAjint]

CA is a wrencher in the weekends? Learn something new every day...

Yepp, for fun in my spare time. I am a big car nerd... :o

[odizzle]

Yeah, I made it "off" a little on purpose, to make it a little more dynamic. I had some other designs that were perfect fits, but I found them to be more boring. Here's some of the other variations of this same concept:

http://www.olenduncan.com/logo-designs.jpg

[vtwin_gary]

if you are going to make it off on purpose make it really off so it doesn't seem like a mistake.

i like where this is headed but i think you should look at the photo of the nut & wrench & work toward something like that.

[Ned]

I personally like the one you have in the middle-right of those concept ideas.

[odizzle]

The logo makes me think of tools. Namely a wrench and a bolt. Is this intentional or just a coincidence?


To make it look like a bolt and wrench wasn't intentional. I was just trying to do something interesting with my initials, but the more I worked on it the more it looked like a wrench and bolt.

[jpic.etre]

I personally like the one you have in the middle-right of those concept ideas.

I was thinking that, too, it has a really clean, simple look to it...I might make either the "wrench" part or the "nut" part in a slightly lighter shade of gray from the black of the other...

I wonder how the texture of card stock will affect the feel of these designs...I guess that's another thing to consider. Thanks for sharing!

[YNOT]

I personally like the one you have in the middle-right of those concept ideas.

Yep...I also agree. That one is very clean and crisp. I like the concept. I think it's 'absract' enough to not look too 'mechanic-y'. Makes me think of you as a designer who builds things...files, logos, etc.

Very nice work...can't wait to see how the card ends up. In my opinion, I'd keep the card very clean and simple...2 colors max. The blue and grey in your initial card isn't bad really.

Good luck!

[Gregory]

I can see that blue as a metallic ink (if you've got the budget).

[odizzle]

Everyone seemed to like the cleaner logo, so I thought I would try it on a business card. I think I like it better now too. Here it is:

Front:
http://www.olenduncan.com/BusinessCard_Front2_Web.jpg

Back:
http://www.olenduncan.com/BusinessCard_Back2_Web.jpg

For printing, I was thinking of doing a Spot UV coat on either just the blue or the grey. Or on both the blue and the grey, and leave the card matte. Here's (http://www.nexcards.com/spot-uv-business-cards) where I was gonna get them printed. What do you guys think?

[chompiraz]

I like the final OD, I think the nut/wrench could be part of the concept: "the right tool for the job". But that should be where you begin, the concept. Even for a personal logo there needs to be some sort of idea or direction, so take what you have and play with it more, maybe try to add more "tool" cues, just make sure the final is something that more than says your initials, after all it is going to be a graphic representation of your style. As far as what you have decided on in the final, I think that maybe the d/wrench could be thicker. If you thickened it up a lot you could have some nice contrast with the type face, right now I think the typeface and the d conflict. I'm actually designing a personal logo for class myself right now, I just can't seem to "crack", if you know what I mean.
Good Luck

[odizzle]

I hear what you're saying, but I'm not trying to brand myself ,with a tag line, like a company. I will be working for a company doing design, so for now, I just want something to give to possible clients for projects on the side. I think this mark represents my style very well. I do clean and simple designs. I'll play with the thickness on the D and see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestion, and good luck with your personal logo!

[tZ]

Another direction you could explore is a ball going into a hoop to reinforce your last name. Your current direction doesn't seem as if you have a concept in place. The typography and "happy accident" is nice compositionally but logos should be packed with purpose. Therefore, I don't think this is there yet. Nice direction but I would like to see some meaning beyond the obvious.

[CkretAjint]

Ahhhh.... So much better *happy sigh* :o

[graphicsmama]

Another direction you could explore is a ball going into a hoop to reinforce your last name. I disagree...so many designers are doing this now that I think it's almost becoming "cutesy" because they're trying too hard to derive a concept from their name. When it works it really works, but when it doesn't, it reallllly doesn't. I'm not saying don't explore the idea, I'm just saying be careful that you don't over-reach it if you do....

Just my 2 cents. On another note though I do agree with the happy accident comment. To me, when I see this card, I don't think design...and perhaps this is because all of the wrench comments have skewed my mind into thinking more industrial type of work. My first initial reaction (just gut level reaction) was it didn't say design to me, it just looked like shapes put on for some undetermined purpose. I like where you're going, but perhaps what chompiraz said about using some tagline to define what the logo MEANS would help. This doesn't mean you have to brand yourself as a company, but it would help give your logo a purpose....

just my other two cents...

I do think the newer concept you posted is a lot better....

[odizzle]

So you think I should work in some sort of tag line into the business card?

[budafist]

So you think I should work in some sort of tag line into the business card?

Only if it's witty or humourous. Otherwise, don't bother.

What ideas have you come up with?

Taglines help to reinforce what your business does, make you more memorable etc. But if it's boring and not memorable, then it's just taking up valuable space on your card.

[PrintDriver]

Everyone always thinks too literally here.
The logo does not have to scream DESIGNER HERE TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!!! any more than my usual underwear store example is gonna have a screaming pair of undies on the sign (that would be annoying to the neighbors :D).
It has to be unique to it's owner. And have a brand link. The latest post pulls that off remarkably well.

A word of caution to the OP. Sometimes, having a logo on your resume or portfolio can be detrimental to getting hired in-house. Play it down if it appears the interviewer is concerned you won't give your work your complete undivided attention. Some places even frown on freelance moonlighting.

[budafist]

I don't think this logo screams designer here trying to get your attention. I don't think it needs to either.

This is a monogram logo to me.

[frankster]

Your logo is pleasing and I like your colour choices too. I think your design would benefit from more space to breath. It seems too large for the card at the moment. It also frustrates me when I see such straight forward text layout when you could have so much fun with this. For example, your text is very suitable for mimicking your logo with an octagon shape, and thinking outside the horizontal would add interest too. I hope that you'll continue to work on the design and finish with something that stands apart, after all, it's your mini canvas to sell your skills.

Your text is octagonal
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/3343/buscardoctagontextkr6.jpg

or try a few designs at angles
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/3294/buscardtiltedlogobp7.jpg

Your logo is one that I could see working beautifully as a minimal blind embossed card.

[budafist]

Really classy designs use blind embossing. I love blind embossing. Beautiful.

[odizzle]

I agree with PrintDriver, I don't think logos have to be literal either. Frankster: those are some good suggestions, it probably would look much better with a little more white space. I'll also try playing with the text some more to add interest. I like the idea of embossing too, but wouldn't the emboss show on the backside where the text is? I've never really done any printing with special finishing, so I don't really know much about it. Anyone suggest a printer I could use?

[frankster]

I honestly don't think you need a two sided card. I think with your logo and the small amount of text, it's possible to arrange a really slick one sided card.

[graphicsmama]

oooh, or a sculptured blind emboss....yeah :)

[odizzle]

I tried a few of the suggestions, I can't decide which one I like best. What do you guys think?
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9625/selfbcdesignsoe6.jpg

I think you're right, a one sided card will be fine and getting the logo/name embossed would look pretty sweet. Hopefully it's not too expensive.

[graphicsmama]

Well, I'm not sure what the difference is between 1 and 3 except the logo looks slightly bigger, but I like number 2 the best.

[CkretAjint]

Number 2 is pretty bitchen...

[cjdevlin]

I like it, maybe play up the "OD" to be "Original Designer", old school but still trendy enough to have pop culture relevance.

[Chaotik]

Well, I'm not sure what the difference is between 1 and 3 except the logo looks slightly bigger, but I like number 2 the best.

It looks like in #3, there is more even leading between his name, title, and contact information.

I like the second one best too. Maybe the contact info could be left justified instead of right?

[BryanWinds]

i like number two, the rotation makes it interesting to the eye...

[odizzle]

Well I sent design 1 to the printer to get a quote. I'm gonna get the blue of the logo and my name embossed with the rest of it printed. I asked around class and asked a couple professors and design 1 seemed to be a favorite. I thought #1 looked a little classier too and will look better embossed like that, now I'm not so sure, heh. I can still send him a new design, he hasn't gotten back to me with a quote yet. Here's design 2 left aligned:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8296/businesscardbackv6lawz0.png

[frankster]

I would think about resizing the elements so that the logo is centered horizontally on the card, because at the moment it's off center, but only slightly and that's enough to make it feel awkward.

[odizzle]

I adjusted it a bit to make it centered...I like the right aligned contact info better

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1479/businesscardbackv6lape5.png

[Chaotik]

It's not bad either way. Then again, I'm no expert in typography.:cool:

[frankster]

Looking better. Have a play to get the O, the D and the G lined up in a vertical line too. That'll make it simpler again. I'd still be looking at reducing the sizes of everything ever so slightly for the love of white space. The contact text is about the right size though, any smaller than that and you'd have ledgibillity issues with it.

[*the girl* ryan]

i love it... very nice. too bad you couldn't spring for a silver foil on the gray instead of the emboss... but good choice, one or the other, not both. very nice work

[vtwin_gary]

i agree #2
much more interesting.

[odizzle]

Well I finally got my business cards printed and I thought I'd share the final product with you all. It was way too expensive to get it embossed like I wanted, so I settled for raised print & spot UV instead. I'm happy with how it came out...let me know what you guys think.


http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/319/businesscardsinglewebhv6.jpg


http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4122/businesscardgroupfn4.jpg

[budafist]

I like it!

[graphicsmama]

lookin good!

[Fredonia2k]

Looks good, but your contact info is all blurry!

[Tea]

They look great! Thanks for posting the final result. I love seeing the process from start to finish. Well done odizzle!

[SM.]

Did you go through the design process to reach this conclusion? It looks to me like you jumped straight in. what does the logo mean to you, and what do you want it to do. I think that the bold typeface works brilliantly but as for the logo, maybe it could go even more abstract. really stretch the boundrys and go for it.

[semioticantics]

I know they're already printed, but I'm not really sure this design fits. Like an earlier poster mentioned, the logo reminded me of tools and construction, but those would usually have a red/yellow/black color so I was instantly a little confused.

The tracking of "Olen Duncan" is very wide and produces a stance reminiscent of a policeman or security guard standing with arms folded and legs wider than shoulder width apart (I make really weird visual/emotional analogies, I know). This is not as personable as a card for you, a person, should be.

As a graphic designer you should be thinking about portraying creativity, skills, and taste, but this card does none of those things. I'm not saying it needs to scream, "designer here trying to get your attention." However, it should represent you and the "you" you're trying to show to whoever sees this card. Mental relationships don't need to be literal, but getting linked concepts is helpful.

Everything is centered, which creates a bland appearance. An earlier mockup on the slant was a little cliche, but much more visually interesting. I can't discern the copy for the blurred portions, so I'll assume it's the same as the domain name. Why did you choose that typeface? It looks very, "default."

[budafist]

This card has been through the crit process on this forum for those that are interested.

[Optimusdinkus]

semioticantics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/member.php?u=20095) vbmenu_register("postmenu_497173", true);
sweet god what a damn name, let alone a statement. offer something constructive maybe?

[semioticantics]

semioticantics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/member.php?u=20095) vbmenu_register("postmenu_497173", true);
sweet god what a damn name, let alone a statement. offer something constructive maybe?
Semiotic Antics is confusing or overly long in some way?

I don't feel I was being destructive, but at the same time I don't feel I can really offer much constructive criticism besides rehashing what I have said. Rethink the concept. Anything I've said could be wrong - the type could represent him in some way I'm unable to discern from looking at the card and reading this thread.

If multiple people are making the 'tools' connection, it's likely something that needs looking at. It's an anagram, of sorts, and if you want to stick with it, perhaps find a way to treat it and still get the cool 'interlocking' feel without touching on 'tools.'

The earlier mock on the slant, I feel, is closer to where he needs to be with it. If possible I suggest looking at the possibility of a die cut on the short edge following the shape of the 'O' jutting from the 'D'.

If you're still interested in pursuing designing the card for the next run (business cards run out quicker than you'd think!) perhaps try spending more time on the basic concept level, and sketching out / mocking things up, and sharing those with the community. It's really quite helpful for all involved.

[odizzle]

I did sketch quite a bit before coming up with my design. I'm sorry you don't feel it is quite what it should be, but I'm happy with it. I think it represents me and my style well. I've also had a great response from just about everyone I've handed it out to, so I think it's working, but thanks for the suggestions.