Business Card Critique?

[mmcmurr]

Hey Folks!

Tyically, when I'm flying, I will have my laptop with me doing a bit of minor proofing on shots. This normally winds up getting me into a discussion about my landscape photography and they're always interested in possibly buying prints from me. Of course, it happens rarely that they actually follow through, but...

Anyhow, the folks always wind up asking me for a business card. To which I've always had to say "sorry", but I'll give you my website and you can check it out.

Well, I've decided that I'd bite the bullet and put together a business card that's simple. Just so I can hand it out. So, after bouncing a few ideas off a friend of mine, he's what I've come up with.

I'd like to see if you folks have any thoughts or constructive criticism about the card?

[12stones]

I like it. It's simple but elegant. The only suggesstion I'd have would be to use a little brighter orange for your name as it gets a little lost on the right.

[bobby71]

I agree. Looks nice. A thicker font might help your name stand out a bit more.

...was that taken with MY 10-20mm lens? ;)

[mmcmurr]

Originally Posted by bobby71

I agree. Looks nice. A thicker font might help your name stand out a bit more.

...was that taken with MY 10-20mm lens? ;)

Good catch Robert! It sure was!

I'll play around with a thicker font, or perhaps bolding it. As well, I'll see if I can sample another lighter/brighter orange from somewhere near the sun. I was just worried about it being "too" bright, but since it's my name, I guess it should stand out quite a bit, huh!

Thanks so far everyone!

--Mike

[toverman]

That's a striking image, and I hope that when printed it will have the same impact (with good printing, it will).

I really like the simplicity and hate to suggest adding anything, but you might consider a phone number or e-mail address for direct contact. Your photos may sell themselves, but sometimes you have to sell yourself, too. Or maybe not!

[mmcmurr]

Originally Posted by toverman

That's a striking image, and I hope that when printed it will have the same impact (with good printing, it will).

I really like the simplicity and hate to suggest adding anything, but you might consider a phone number or e-mail address for direct contact. Your photos may sell themselves, but sometimes you have to sell yourself, too. Or maybe not!

Thanks! I debated long and hard (a few hours last night ) and decided against it, primarily due to the simplicity factor. I just can't think of a good place to put the phone number or email address without detracting too much from the rest of the card. And of course, putting it on the back would just defeat the purpose :)

My email and contact info are on the website, so I figured that info could be gleaned from there.

If anybody has any suggestions as to where a good place for the phone number would be, I'll try it out. I just can't seem to visualize it right now

[trahanw]

Like it again, I believe a phone # would be great also a personal email address. I don't know how many times I look over a Bussiness card. Plug it in the PDA and toss it. Having to go to the internet to then get a phone number seems bothersome for me. Suggestion

[trahanw]

Went to your website..clicked contact Mike. Went directly to email. Phone #....suggested on card. Also if you want to advertise for free you Google will let you post your ad and picture of your card.Like the picture. Brighten up the letters and you should be good

[LDB]

I like the image choice. I like the card. I do not like the font for your name. It is nowhere near as readable as the other fonts. If your signature is pretty decent then use your own signature. Otherwise I'd shift to a font that's more readable like the others. I really like the image.

[RightAngle]

I kind of feel like the text needs to be a hair to the right. Tiiiiiny little bit, but it just feels a little too close to the RR tracks.

[mmcmurr]

Thanks for more critique! It's definitely appreciated. As for the text being too close to the track, keep in mind this particular image has the padding on the side for bleed, so that it will not have any sort of border when the cards are actually cut.

Here's an example of what changes I've made to it, both with the trim edge and what it /should/ look like after the card has been cut.

I had to brighten up the fonts a little, remove the anti-aliasing and enlarge the text.

Better, or worse?

Oh, and Leo, my signature is horrible. Pretty much only I can read it. That said, I wanted something that at least appeared a little more "personalized", thus the cursive font I chose.

Here are both crops with changes:

[shanghai]

Looks good, my only suggestion is light colored thin font when printed on black sometimes bleeds and becomes hard to read. Consider making it bolder.

[Hikin' Mike]

I like the second version but I would move your website down a few pixels. It's too close to your name.

[kdloftis]

Originally Posted by RightAngle

I kind of feel like the text needs to be a hair to the right. Tiiiiiny little bit, but it just feels a little too close to the RR tracks.

I agree and knock it down just a hair. Love the photo.

[Valadilene]

I think you should really consider putting contact info on the back.. I had a card for awhile that had a pic on the front and ALL my contact information on the back.. and it works well.. that way the first thing they see if the image, and the image only. its only natural to turn over a business card and look at the back when there is no text on the front, or only a name on the front. why do you think that putting it on the back would defeat the purpose? Ive met several other photographers that use double sided cards (my new one is also double sided, both sides with images, one without any information)

Really, using double sided gives you alot more to work with, you dont have to worry about it interferring with your image or anything like that! But thats just my preferance =) but keep in mind.. sometimes people dont have ready access to the internet(yes, even today!), or when they do, they might not be thinking about going to your website. Just things to consider

ps-

Love the image!