business card design. - critique/selection please

[jonnydonut]

(I thought there was a critique forum section, but I couldn't find it, so admins, ya'll are welcome to move this post.)

Ok, well I have a bunch of 'names' I go by. We can leave that for another thread.. Here I'm wanting some opinions or at least preferences on card designs.


dap1 - front


dap2 - back



jc1 - front (no back)



jdonut1 - front black


jdonut2 - back black


jdonut3 - back black

(I like this one, but this building was not commissioned work, would I need a release?)

jdonut4 - front white


jdonut5 - back white


jdonut6 - back white



cp1 - front


cp2 - front


cp3 - front


cp4 - front

(thinking this is a no go because of that star...)

cp5


cp6 - front


cp7 - back / front and no back?

(thinking about making this the front and having no back)


dwp1 - front


dwp2 - front


dwp3 - front (no back)


dwp4 - back


dwp5 - front (no back, vertical)


thoughts, preferences, critiques..

[toverman]

From a branding standpoint, multiple names is confusing; having one brand to build on might be better. However, you probably don't get many wedding referrals from aerial photography clients anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. Having one name or not, having different business cards is a great idea. There are too many for me to choose from and every one has its merits (not sure you'd need a release to use your image of the Campus Theater, but that one says less to me than the others anyway about your photography).

One thing to consider is that with a splashy, colorful front, you might want to leave your card white on the back. That gives people room to jot down some info. if they need to.

[J Eddington]

Who are you? I think you are confused. I know that consumers would be. I understand you do different kinds of photography. At Imaging usa the pro's were saying that you focus on one or two and all other business will come. Keep you name, logo and font the same. Make it easy for the client to contact you.

If Campus Theater is not owned by you. You would need a property release.

[HeatherLou]

I have to agree with Janice and Todd on this one. Each of the cards in themselves are fine. But if you do a card for each type of photography you do, your gonna need a man purse to carry all of them!

[Digital Art]

Some people may disagree about having a card for each area of your photography. I do not agree with this point of view because in this economy you have to diversify. I believe a business card needs to talk to the customer for what they need. I would not give a wedding card to a potential commercial customer or I would not give a commercial business card to a potential wedding customer. I agree that having to many would make it difficult to carry in your pocket, but keep them in your car and carry only those that you think you are going to need in the environment you visit. Good Luck!!

[J Eddington]

If you keep the same company name and info on each card and only change the photo it would simply tell a story NOT change who you are.

[jonnydonut]

I have a name that ties everything together:
Jonny Carroll - jonnycarroll.com

The sites / assumed names portray to clients that I specialize in that particular thing.
Commercial clients will be turned off by photos of babies, families are turned off by models helicopters, brides don't want to see buildings or advertising photography... etc.
But maybe I'm doing it wrong.

selections anyone?

I've thought about the white on the back..
jc1, cp7 and even dwp4 have potential for that.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

I have to agree with Janice and Todd on this one. Each of the cards in themselves are fine. But if you do a card for each type of photography you do, your gonna need a man purse to carry all of them!

Camera bag=man purse.

[CaptainTom]

You Could just not use a photograph for each business. Keep it simple.

[FleurdeLisArts]

all in all I like jdonut6 the black and white one the best.

you could get brides, models, and commercial work with that one....
but out of all of them thats the one I like the best.

I agree all the names and diff card photos etc gets REALLY annoying. I just went with Fleur de Lis Arts....and put it all under that! I focus on wedding photography but I have other things I get tasked for (just 'cause I know how and someone I know needs a graphic designer, or something) and the biz name works for all of it.
Website isn't quite flowing the same...but I'm working on it.

Good luck!!