Been messing in Photoshop all day trying to make something simple and effective.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

It has a large blank spot... Just looks like you left it open to lay in text like employee names, etc.

I would suggest using one of your best photos as an example of what you're capable of, maybe on the back. And the colored squares look cool, but they don't really convey anything about photography.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

I would suggest using one of your best photos as an example of what you're capable of, maybe on the back. And the colored squares look cool, but they don't really convey anything about photography.

Thanks Ted,
The things I don't like about putting images on the card is
a. they are way too small to represent the work well enough
b. I don't want to be pigeon holed as a Landscape photographer or portrait photographer and putting 2 images would be over doing it in my opinion.

The idea with the colored blocks is they may not represent photography or anything else for that matter, but I think they would be recognizable with my name over time? Maybe I am stretching it there, but that is my thought.

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

It has a large blank spot... Just looks like you left it open to lay in text like employee names, etc.

Please elaborate. which spot?
Under the address?
To the right of the email?
In between Shawn Thompson Photography and the email address?

Thanks for the responses and suggestions. I appreciate them.

Originally Posted by thomps6s

In between Shawn Thompson Photography and the email address?

This one.

I get the idea of negative space in design and all. It just seems you have a very small place to impart information and alot of it is going to waste. Maybe for the squares you can change them to shapes that represent things in photography or stuff you shoot. Might end up too busy though.

Originally Posted by thomps6s

Thanks Ted,
The things I don't like about putting images on the card is
a. they are way too small to represent the work well enough
b. I don't want to be pigeon holed as a Landscape photographer or portrait photographer and putting 2 images would be over doing it in my opinion.

For what it's worth this is the back of mine, your mileage may vary:

Originally Posted by danm

if you used a lighter background color you could write a name or number or other messages/directions etc in the middle instead of it being just black, need silver pens i guess.

i like the simplisity and the layout. it wont blend in with the plain jane cards for sure.

are solid colors more expensive? i guess once you go color its all the same?

Thanks Dan,
the back will be white so there will be a ton of room to write down info.

I am working on repositioning everything again.

Also, at www.overnightprints.com the prices don't change for colors. They are right around $20 shipped per 100 single sided cards.

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

This one.

I get the idea of negative space in design and all. It just seems you have a very small place to impart information and alot of it is going to waste. Maybe for the squares you can change them to shapes that represent things in photography or stuff you shoot. Might end up too busy though.

Thanks. I will look into that.

This is sorta what I feel like that space is meant for.

*crank calls ted*

I kept mine pretty basic but went w/o an image for the same reasons Shawn:

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

I kept mine pretty basic but went w/o an image for the same reasons Shawn:

Yeah, I like yours a lot. If I were a cold hearted, unoriginal bastard I would jack that design.

OK, but what do you like?

Notice I have no address and no phone number... I'd say the address isn't needed as they're not mailing you anything or stopping by right? Phone number you'll probably want though (I just sell via my site). But beyond that, it's a card with a solid color strip and some negative text over that stripe. Nothing that hard to recreate w/o copying exactly.

Mine is just super simple with EVERYTHING that wasn't needed removed. I picked 1 color, then went with gray and white (any monochrome colors work) and just added the info I felt I needed. Tons of empty space to write on as needed to add phone numbers or anything else.

i kinda jacked ben's design for my card i had made



now that i have a website and business, i need to redesign them.

oowwwwww, copyright infringement!

I've played around a lot lately trying to design a new card that i like and everytime I see ben's card I get pissed off because it's still better!

What's a licensing fee run these days!

See, I'm pretty sure I borrowed ideas from a few cards on PotN when I made mine... Just go look up business cards and look at what other people have and take what you like from different cards. Try not to borrow the whole idea exactly, but take what you like and use it.

I'll check it out, I desperately need to get some cards printed.

Don't worry I could have copied your design in about 30 minutes but my pride/conscience won't let me do that!

everyone wants to be ben

LOOK AT MY THINGS!

Originally Posted by purd002

Don't worry I could have copied your design in about 30 minutes but my pride/conscience won't let me do that!

yeah, it's not complicated, and I'm sure the concept was heavily borrowed anyway.

here's the PotN thread with cards in it:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=118646
Lots of options in there.

FYI, I right clicked, saved as all the ideas I liked then opened them all in PS so I could "study" them.
I still have the folder with the cards I liked.

Another Variant

I like the last one, but its too white.

I like the 2-sided design much better. Clean 1st side and info on the back.

Just find some good fonts and finish it out.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

I like the last one, but its too white.

You racist boy?

i like the logo against the white more...the back is just too white

all businessy business cards are white.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

all businessy business cards that are white are really boring.

i hate white/traditional business cards.

if you are a banker or accountant, whatever...but a photog, **** no!

Originally Posted by b84wm

i like the logo against the white more...the back is just too white

Thanks Daniel,
About the back, whether there is text or not on the back, it will remain white as a large area for the customer to jot things down.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

all businessy business cards are white.

Most are white with plain black text. I think the block colors pop more against the white than a darker color.
I dunno, I am going to think about it for a while.

Originally Posted by thomps6s

Thanks Daniel,
About the back, whether there is text or not on the back, it will remain white as a large area for the customer to jot things down.

hrm. interesting.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

For what it's worth this is the back of mine, your mileage may vary:

I see what you mean Ted, that does look good.

Originally Posted by thomps6s

I see what you mean Ted, that does look good.

Damn, thanks! I only posted it to show you how much quality you can convey in a compact size. Justin's card that he just posted kicks ass too, the only drawback is it's all black and leaves no room to write on.

You got me there

^^^ and VVV

Originally Posted by thomps6s

it will remain white as a large area for the customer to jot things down.

no need for it to be white though. Just not black. Gray is easily to read even if you write on it with a pencil and isn't white. Something to consider. Even with my dark gray cards, you can still write on them and read it. My back is 18% gray FTW (or it was supposed to be, it's too light ).

I am going to sit down with my friend Joe who is a Graphic Designer and Senior Art director for the largest design/ad agency in town. He is going to help me layout a website and create a logo and business card.
Woot, should be good stuff.

Originally Posted by thomps6s

Woot, should be good stuff.

that's awesome. I wish I had friends like that.

Oh, is this where we post our cards?