my first attempt at my business card

[Malice]

Here is my first attempt at my business card. I was trying something diffrent with the gradient, I tried to make it stand out a little more than just using a regular gradient. The green line around the boarder of the card will be cut when it is printed. I'm still personlly on the fence with this one and input from you would be great in what direction to go.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o108/syderbomb/AndreCard_00.png

[Fredonia2k]

What do you mean the green border will be cut?

[Malice]

the green out line around the image was produced when I was adjusting the gradients but I used a template in illy for my card so I knew what would be cut and where to keep all my info on the card so that it looks correct when when it prints.

[Fredonia2k]

But why are you showing it to us with the green border?

[CkretAjint]

That "Stay Creative" Looks WAY small... Be careful with it.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

doesn't really say designer if you are asking.
Seems like you used Scribble twice but it doesn't have a designed approach. Sure the lettering is clean but that is just blah. No hierarchy appears to have been used. Well, sure the name and top line are but it pulls you down, then back up and doesn't feel connected.

not sure that helps.

[holycow77]

i think it would look much better if the background was just a flat colour rather than a scribble.

[anothefoo]

I'd lose the underline. Is that Jesus for your last name? Interesting!

[budafist]

Have you printed this out at actual size? The text looks too small to me. It's fine blown up to fit to screen, but does is it still readable when it is business cards size? What pt size is your small print? I wouldn't recommend going under 8pt.

Underlining text is a primitive way of emphasizing text. I don't think it looks good on this occasion and your name stands out enough as it is very large and in a different font.

[Malice]

yeah my last name is de Jesus its Spanish.

[Whiteshark]

There are a couple of things going on here:

First, there is a strange dissonance being created right in the center by the gradient when you go from black to green. I suggest ditching the black for a dark green value to soften up that diagonal line it creates.

Also, the typography could use some work beginning with the typeface choice. The name looks ok, but the information definitely lacks character and contrast. Maybe try bringing all 3 elements together (the name, title, and contact info) to form one cohesive piece instead of leaving each one out in the cold in terms of its place in the composition. Try different font weights to give each element some differentiation.

And you can scrap the green border if you were only using it for reference before.

[the sea]

i think it would look much better if the background was just a flat colour rather than a scribble.

yeah, i agree with holycow. or you can stick with the gradient, but without the scribble.

[Malice]

So I was at work last night and it hit what if I designed my business cards to look like a credit card so I sketched out a few ideas and came up with this any input would be great.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o108/syderbomb/aNDREcARD_01.png

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o108/syderbomb/aNDREcARD_01B.png

[emerson]

Your moving in a better direction. The way you have "Graphic Designer" encompassing the GD doesn't look to good. If it is neccessery for you to have it, I would switch the sides Graphic on left side designer on right, but I wouldn't do it at all personaly.

[DesignVHL]

why is graphic designer and web design created as a logo? I think your trying to push this way too far...keep it simple!

Too many colors being thrown about and the font might be a little hard to read printed out. Also do you plan on dishing out for a die-cut printed card? That could get pricey.

Not a fan of concept cards personally. You just want to get your contact info out...you can be creative w/ it but I don't think this is a good way to go. I would maybe try looking at other bcard examples, and do some more sketching. Maybe start with a personal logo and THEN do the card?

[Malice]

why is graphic designer and web design created as a logo? I think your trying to push this way too far...keep it simple!

Too many colors being thrown about and the font might be a little hard to read printed out. Also do you plan on dishing out for a die-cut printed card? That could get pricey.

Not a fan of concept cards personally. You just want to get your contact info out...you can be creative w/ it but I don't think this is a good way to go. I would maybe try looking at other bcard examples, and do some more sketching. Maybe start with a personal logo and THEN do the card?

The reason I did "graphic designer" and "web design" like logos is beacuse I wanted the feel of a credit card.

[DesignVHL]

:\ the way today's economy is going...do you think that is going to go over well in people's minds? :p Reminds me that I got a cc to pay... lol

[Lithonate]

Also do you plan on dishing out for a die-cut printed card? That could get pricey.


Wouldn't necessarily have to be die cut. Just rounded corners we do that at my shop all the time. Its fairly inexpensive.

[Typically]

graphic design is wayyyyy hard to read the way you have it. the card looks hooky and unprofessional... imo i think you need to keep it simple and clean. you want people to be able to read your card easily and have the info prominently displayed not hidden in a logo.

[DesignVHL]

the card looks hooky and unprofessional

I wasn't gonna say it, but since you did, I concur...really needs to stay simple and clean.

[budafist]

I agree with VHL - no need to create logos for text on your business card. If it's a logo, then work on it as a logo but displaying text as if they are logos is strange.

[Wizarekill]

I like the "a" in the background but I dont get the lines, are you trying to suggest something, if you are conveying a message with the lines then I get the impression of speed??? If not then why?

Personally I would call you up if i got your business card.

Oooo my bad i didnt realise ther was more pages my comments scrap them that was to the 1st

[double A-ron]

Giving out personal info on a public forum is not the smartest idea.

[DesignVHL]

yeah, I agree...although if you already have your homepage linked..it is what it is. But if I were you, I would put in fake address phone etc. (are you going to put your address and website and other info on the card?) You never know how silly someone may get one bored and drunken night. :P

[CkretAjint]

The rounded corners on the black box aren't so round since you squished them!

A quick work around for this is to draw a square box and then Effect > Stylize > Rounded Corners. Type in the radius you would like (I think it even lets you preview), probably something like .125". Then you can stretch your box to what ever shape you want and the rounded corners will be perfect. Just make sure you expand it before you send to the printer (Edit > Expand or Expand Appearance).

[SarahH]

I agree that the second attempt is a step in the right direction.

Have you ever looked at a book called "The Art of Saying Hello" by Michael Dorrian and Liz Farrelly (iirc) - It has some awesome designs in it and would be great inspiration to you.

[SM.]

What is the big a for?

[Eliwinter]

Looks good in general. A couple points
1 - text is too small, think about us over 45s, we need bigger fonts to see!
2 - Your e-mail should be your domain, any other e-mail makes you look small time
3 - Where is your web site, now that the internet is on computers... you should have a web site

[artgem1984]

Have you sat and had a good think about exactly what it is you want to say with your business card? What's your reasoning behind the credit card idea? Have you spent sometime surrounded by and absorbing lovely inspirational books involving business identity? Have you sketched?