Business Card

[c0ntr0lz]

here are a few of the cards that I've come up with?

#1
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard1.jpg
#2
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard2.jpg
#3
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard3.jpg
#4
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard4.jpg
#5
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard5.jpg
#6
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard6.jpg
#7
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard7.jpg
#8
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard8.jpg
#9
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard9.jpg
#10
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard10.jpg
#11
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard11.jpg


I tried to make a poll of this but it wouldn't let me do 11 options

[Penguin_101_1]

I like #4. :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Gotta say.. I like #4 too

..but.. I had to do some mixing and matching... :)

For some reason I don't like the "M" in the #4 typeface.. try and see of the "M" from #5 wull work? (I know ,.. dumbe suggestion)

Also,. I like the "Custom Car Photography" typeface from #9....

Do you think it would go o-kay with #4?

[shniks]

I like 4, 5, 6 and the last one, but it was hard to decide, all are very good. Are you going to put one of your pictures on the card as well? I think it would look good with one of your photos on the other side, or something similar.

[c0ntr0lz]

thanks guys

CDS yes i can do that and I might try it
the typeface on 9's CCP i put it on 4 and see how that looks

shniks thanks
i'm not sure about a pic, but that is a good idea
it'd cost more but it wouldn't be a bad idea
but then i'd have to pick a photo

[Claire]

I like # 4, #6 and # 11.

I also like the Custom Car Photography typeface in #9.

[c0ntr0lz]

thanks
I think i'm going to combine 4 and 9

if anyone else starts looking for business cards. my friend showed me this web site tonight. http://businesscards.com
go inside and click on 2 color cards and an editor comes up and tou can make your own cards. I messed with it for a few hours, it's alright, needs more fonts.

[c0ntr0lz]

CDS i tried the CCP type on 9 on 4 and it doesn't work
or at least that what i think

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard4-9.jpg



this is 4 remix
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard4_remix.jpg

[D4VE]

I like #6 personally.

I think it MUST have a pic personally. Others might not agree, but a lot of business cards have pics on now, so a photographers card must do surely?

Even if its a greyscale watermark - doesn't need to be very detailed.

[Sailor Don]

I like #7 best, followed closely by #2, however I would remove the dashes before and after the name.

[xrunner123]

I agree about the pic. It would seem sort of odd that a photographer would have a biz card without some sort of picture.
Also I think that your link should just be www.thectrlz.com forget the http://.

[Penguin_101_1]

On your website I would say click on the picture to enter because some people may think that is it. I would also put a title on the 1st page and change the font of your e-mail.

[Penguin_101_1]

http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=y3m1xf&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
Like this. Then scroll down to see click on pic to enter. That is my pic BTW

[stopbath]

I like number 3, but...

Custom kern the lettering in the name. Notice how the letters for MILL have various widths between the letters. Ugly! But the font is very nice. It's bold, yet does not yell at the reader. I think it makes for a great layout font.

You don't need the top line either. Strip that out and just keep it one colour printing. "Custom Car" pretty well sums up Classics * Hot Rods * Lowriders * Exotics * Imports... and it takes less room.

You could use that space for your motto, or a statement. Or even put Custom Car Photography at the top, then Jakeb Miller in the middle, then the contact info at the bottom....

If you wanted to go fancy here, do the name in bald relief (raised lettering no ink) and leave the ink for the Custom Car Photography and the contact info...

[nighthawk]

I agree with Penguin. It needs a picture of your work. Text doesn't get you far these days.

If you are worried about printing costs, I recommend doing it on your own printer. Card Stock is availabe at office supply stores.

[c0ntr0lz]

thanks guys
I am debating a photo on the card possible on the back

Don said to remove the dashes, how do you ohters feel about them?

runner i really hate the www. thing i'm not sure why but on this card i think i'm going to use it cause i don't like the http:// on it.

Penguin yeah i need to do some work to the site. i haven't been into fixing it up but will soon. i like what you did as a site.

stopbath I like 3 too, it's my young punk/trend style that i'd like to hand out to the young kids. I think I may get that one done just for that, after i edit it thanks

nighthawk I've made my own and it's ok but this is going to be my face to clients and I don't want to come off looking cheap. this is something i love and will be doing for a long time, so i'm going all out on this adventure.


3 remix
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard3_remix.jpg



i may get it done for the youngsters

[nighthawk]

I like this version provided the photo is on the back. In fact, regard the photo as the front! When you hand it to someone, hand it photo-up. It will get their attention and draw a stronger reaction.

[Penguin_101_1]

I say no dashes. I would put a good close up on the back. I still like #4 but #3 would be good for people like you said. I will look for a good close up on your site.

[Penguin_101_1]

Here are some I like:
#1http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F5%5F20%5F04/
I can't get this one to post.
#1 http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F7%5F3%5F04/

[nighthawk]

My vote is on the third! excelent close-up!

[Penguin_101_1]

I numbered mine :D

[c0ntr0lz]

Penguin hold the shift key and the pic will open in a new window and then you can copy the URL and it will link to the image you want to show.

nighthawk here is the prob. If I go photo on the back then that means that I'll have to use a gloss card right? Which I don't want, I'd like to stay with a paper or linen texture. I know someone can probably make me a double sided card they way I want it but i'm not paying $100 for 500 cards.

[Penguin_101_1]

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F5%5F20%5F04/pages/tbird_backend.htm
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F7%5F3%5F04/pages/IMG_1896.htm

[c0ntr0lz]

those are nice
i'll think about it :D
i redid the website tell me what ya think
ahhhhhhhh man i just looked at the splash and the last bottom pic is a bit off.

what about these images
http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/the_race/silver_cobra1.jpg

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/shelby%5Frace/pages/IMG_0627.htm

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/july_show/lead_sled2.jpg

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/pony_trip/black_gt500_back.jpg

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F7%5F10%5F04/pages/IMG_2730.htm

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F7%5F18%5F04/pages/IMG_2894.htm

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/show%5F7%5F18%5F04/pages/IMG_2994.htm

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/car_lot/m3_vent1.jpg

[Penguin_101_1]

That is a lot better! I will look at the pics next and then I will post my favorite.

I like 1,4,5,7

[c0ntr0lz]

those are proably my favs too

[MikesJo]

It's a bit too busy I think.

[c0ntr0lz]

what is mike? the card?

hey guys i may have me a logo

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zlogo.jpg
have to clean it up a bit but...

[c0ntr0lz]

i think this is what i'm going to have done

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard_double.jpg

[stopbath]

The remix of #3 looks better. Perhaps it's just the low res image, but still some kerning tweeks between Ja, ak and Mi they should 'visually' be the same (not needing to be actually the same - just look)

The last card you put up, also looks very good. Clean and professional. Not glitzy and over bearing, but the font used for the name, well, it doesn't really grab attention... Could be a head line in a newspaper... Not sure about the 'back' of the card.

Since your dealing with cars which are usually about speed and power, try to get your name font to show more strength.

[idontgetit]

Ok....this has got to be joke....RIGHT? If not....my co-workers and I have been laughing so hard...we literally have headaches.

Please,

PLEASE

do us a favour and go to an ACTUAL design firm get a real business card.

Thanks

p.s..... I only registered to post this message.

[Penguin_101_1]

I bet I know why. Because real design firms are a big waste of money. I bet you work at a desin firm and you know just the right one for him to use. :roll: I would like to see a design firm do better since they use the same software as other people. There is nothing special except that people don't want to do it. Design firms use a list of templates and they insert the information. :roll:

If he was a big CEO I would say get a design firm because they know they will get a big account and design a card just for him. Then I would say they are better.

Can we please get a mod to delete that and this message.

[denyed]

You know, I would have to agree with "idontgetit". I am a designer by trade, not a photographer(as you definitely are), we don't use just "any" software to create our products as obviously you don't use just any camera. We use absolutely no templates, we design from scratch. Now I definitely recommend you keep trying to create your own stuff, but if you are needing a business card right now, I would definitely suggest you look for a freelance designer. They are usually fresh and full of good ideas. Just like you wouldn't get penguin to do a photoshoot for you(obvious reasons), you shouldn't be designing for print, you're a real good photographer, you're not just hitting the generic button all the time. So what you obviously want is a business card that would show off your style of photography, get clients interested and excited.

___________
denyed

[stopbath]

...We use absolutely no templates, we design from scratch. ...denyed

Not too likely completely from scratch. You likely have several working formulas in your head that you can access to create industrial/artsy or cottage business cards at the drop of a hat. You may not use boiler plate, but the template is there alright (in your head).

I have seen some pretty lousy cards from graphic design firms (spelling mistakes even) so the use of a company does not automatically grant you a winner card. The graphic company that supplied the cards for a company I used to work for made some really lousy designs. :( I couldn't believe they actually made it off the sketch pad into the computer.

[denyed]

You make some good points Stopbath, there are a lot firms out there that do crappy work. Honestly, I see so much crap it scares me, and it comes from designers. Depending what market you design for, often you will have a template which is implanted in your mind, you are correct, but if we are talking "correct" design, you more or less try to climb into the business you are trying to create for. You try and see things from their perspective. I also work in a prepress department and I spend a lot of my day fixing "designers" files, which include spelling mistakes. With every market come the has-been, wannabes and the people who are true. (In no way am I saying I am a "true designer", that's for the clients to decide ;))

Back to templates... when I was thinking of templates I am seeing a website which offers premade templates. I have seen them and it's quite repulsive that people don't use their own imagination. Granted design is always taking this piece from one person and this from another, eventually making it unique to yourself. Sorry if I jump all over the place, one thing I am not good at is writing letters...

[Sailor Don]

Don't get me wrong. Graphics designers can do a good job, but they haven't cornered the market on designing business cards. We are not talking "brain surgery" here. :D

Most (maybe all) members of his forum, have enough knowledge of what kind of visual presentation catches the eye, and if you think that you have a better idea, why not give us a "freebie" presentation? Scared to be judged by a group of photographers?? :?:

So Mr. idontgetit, yes, we would be doing you a favor (as you requested) by throwing money at you. I doubt we would get much value for our money. In the spirit of "doing you a favor", I have mailed you a down payment for $10,000 to cover the cost of your sample business card graphics design. Keep a sharp lookout for it. It could arrive any day now. :P

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ok....this has got to be joke....RIGHT? If not....my co-workers and I have been laughing so hard...we literally have headaches.

Please,

PLEASE

do us a favour and go to an ACTUAL design firm get a real business card.

Thanks

p.s..... I only registered to post this message.

I'll remeber this post the first time you post an "attempt" at photography.

We all start somewhere in all our endeavors. We are not all profesionals at everything from day one.

It would be quite a sad forum here if every time someone tried to post an Image we all laughed and said "you should do us a favor and hire an ACTUAL pro to take REAL photos"

Don't you think?

So.. how does your precious graphic design differ? "Kid's,. this is dangerous stuff... PLEASE Don't Try This At Home" :?

... or photography,
... or installing a sink,
...or fixing your car,
... or cooking your own dinner..

:wink:

[c0ntr0lz]

thanks to those that rose up to my support

ok let's start here, I went to school for 2d/3d multimedia, and have been in the graphics feild since 1996. Now just cause this doesn't look like a STAFF of highly paid designers did it, you can' bash it. It has all the info it is well layed out and it isn't tacky ****. I agree with Don lets see what you can come up with if you're so high and mighty. I'm not desgining this to be a card that's going to knock graphic designers off their rockers, It's simply work. I don't really like the extra words on the back so i'm thinking of removing them, and still need to do some font adjustments.


idontgetit lets see what you can do if this is sooooo bad. do you like any of the designs?

idontgetit and denyed how about yall say what yall do/don't like about the card. and not try and promote me paying someone else a buttload of money to make a business card.

thanks again Don Stopbath and Penguin

[BCdives]

Hey cOntroOlz,

Screw those guys, obviously they aren't getting much work if they are sitting around making fun of people trying to learn new things. Annnyway, hope you don't mind, I pulled some of you work and started goofing around, Yes it is rough, but I was just trying to see what might happen putting in some photo graphics. It isn't great, but it's clean and gets the point across (only car pic I had, my Cobra convertable)


http://bc.kf4oal.com/zcard4Hack.jpg

[MikesJo]

I would use one font so it's continous. Also, remember if your going to print them it's going to cost a lot more if there's color. I would stick to maybe 2 colors, the third color can be white ;), or whatever the color of the card stock you pick is. Just my 2cents!

[c0ntr0lz]

BCdives thanks man
see i like that style but if you don't watch it you can get the card a bit too busy. I like that layout tho.

mike yeah on the one i'm working on it has the fonts the same.
I'm going to just get red and black

here is the newest

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard12.jpg

[Penguin_101_1]

I like the last one. :D

[c0ntr0lz]

ya like that one eh, Penguin
i'm digging it too

[Conk]

denyed
We as photographers help each other and lend advice out of our own good will. It is simply something we like to do. Not to show off our vast amount of knowledge but just in hope that something we say might be useful to the next guy/gal. We'll go as far as taking a persons image and playing around with it to try our own hand at the editing process. Then share the results and how we got them.
So denyed, I'd like to ask you, as a designer posting in a thread full of photographers trying to design, why don't you lend a hand?
By the way, did you design your avatar? :roll:

[Penguin_101_1]

denyed

By the way, did you design your avatar? :roll:

What is it?

[Conk]

denyed

By the way, did you design your avatar? :roll:

What is it?

exactly.

[4walls]

I think the card definitely needs a photo

[MattSEG]

I do graphic design, and I'm getting into photography.

Some of the key elements are the same, making use of negative space, designing as such that your eye is drawn across everything, and making the key features stand out.

The biggest thing- keep it simple.
1, maybe 2 different fonts. (garamond, bodoni, helvetic neue)
People have different thoughts on sizes of the font, personally I like using as many as 4 or 5 sizes for a project, but generally you don't want more than 3.
For print design the paper choice is important. You might want to have a simple 'calling card' type design on a nice neutral white thick stock. Don't skimp on this, it will just make it look chincy.

Perhaps have a secondary card with some of your work on it. They will be more expensive, but they are good for serious clients.

http://www.swspeed.com/matt/cards.jpg
something i had done for a client that might give you some ideas.

[Penguin_101_1]

I like everything in those except the map. I think it takes away from the pic.

[MattSEG]

that is their logo, not a map.

[c0ntr0lz]

thanks Matt
i do like those styles but i get worried about if someone can read the card. If the print is too small or not bold enuf for people to see. I'll try and make one like that or that style.

thanks for the help everyone

[boomer1959]

Hi Jakeb,
I just love your photos, And other people do and will too.
I think your card needs an example of your work. Put a pic on it.
Oh and don't worry about what the "pros" think. I would do the same thing as you, Make my own.
Just my two cents worth. Good Luck :D

[marie]

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard12.jpg[/quote]



I like this a lot...
very much in fact

( don't forget the 2nd p in ' photography '
when the printing starts the printer person may not look at it properly to check small details
which are so important

I really just dropped in to say cOntrOlz...........
( not sure if Jakeb is your real name .very nice it is too)

.........laminated cards are best so they can't rot
in someones pocket they won't bend or tear and will last for donkey's years if not forever. and the print/logo will be preserved

you have a lovely personality and a good eye and should do wonderfully well doing something you really really love.

it's all what matters

best of luck ...always
8)

[arumdevil]

I agree that it would work better with an image of some sort. I love the new splash page of your website, why not put it on the card?

something like this:

http://www.arumdevil.com/stuff/pics/photo/card.jpg


Also I agree with whoever said to lose the "http://" on the website address. www.thectrlz.com or even just thectrlz.com works better IMO.

[c0ntr0lz]

boomer thank you very much it was a great 2 cents.

Marie thanks I didn't see the lost 'p' This is why i love this forum, soooo many great/helpful people.
Jakeb is my real name but if i can keep it going it'd be nice to be known as c0ntr0lz :D
Laminated cars that I have of others are nice and like you said they don't waste away like paper cards, with that in mind I may look into it.


arumdevil you like that splash eh? i like it too. And I really like what you did for a card, I just might have to produce that one!! about the http:// I've already taken that off and I agree it does look better.

thanks for input guys!!!

[arumdevil]

Obviously you would make it better than what I did, I just grabbed it off your site, but I think it gives a good impression of what you wan to sell.

about removing the http:// - I only read the first page when I posted my reply - it wasn't until after I posted that I realized there was even a second page for this topic!!

The site looks promising.

[c0ntr0lz]

no biggie bub
here is what i have
not sure about the name placement but it's a bit tuff to read over the photos

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard13.jpg

[Claire]

Hi c0ntr0lz,
I think the splash page card is the best one. It is a bit hard to read the name if it's over the images, but to me it looks evern stranger to have it that high as in your last post. It looks like it's going to fall off the card. You need to keep some space between text and card ends.

Maybe you can make the photos even lighter?

/Claire

[arumdevil]

I agree with claire, your name looks a bit weird so close to the edge. i played around with it a bit, hope you don't mind. it also looked quite good with only the bottom 3 images.


http://www.arumdevil.com/stuff/pics/photo/card2.jpg

[Sailor Don]

Just my opinion, but I think this had gotten out of control with too much analysis.

Go back to #7 in your first post. (My personal favorite.)

Remove the dashes before and after your name.

Remove the "http://"

If the potential customer wants a sample of your work, they can view your wesbite. Don't clutter up your business card with samples of your work (or your resume).

I would suggest that you search the web for business card design tutorials and samples. For instance:

http://www.professorprint.com/business-card-design.html

The neat thing about it is you don't have to pay some graphics designer big $$$$ for some funky design. You can pick and choose what works for you.

I would keep it simple. I think it will bring in more customers.

If you do action shots of motorcycles, I would consider driving my Harley up to Dallas for a photo shoot on the road up by Cedar Hill. It's so hard to photograph yourself on a motorcycle, leaning way over, coming around a corner at high speed. I keep dropping the damn camera. :D
So I park my HOG and this is the (boring) result.
http://users3.ev1.net/~sailord/IMG_0901_sm.jpg

[shniks]

I agree with claire, your name looks a bit weird so close to the edge. i played around with it a bit, hope you don't mind. it also looked quite good with only the bottom 3 images.


http://www.arumdevil.com/stuff/pics/photo/card2.jpg

I love this version. It will cost a bit to produce, but looks so professional.

[c0ntr0lz]

Claire if i go lighter on the photos then some of the ol guys won't be able to see them and won't be able to tell what they are. but i'll find a way to do it. thanks

arumdevil what if i was to put only 3 images on it to begin with, have the right in the middle of the card. yours looks nice but i'm not sure about the drop shadows. I don't mind and i thank you very much for all the help you've been.

i know i know, it is getting pretty deep in here. The only prob with not having photos now is what if they don't have the net? They can't see what I do, and the card would have a small sample of what I have done.
I'd have no issue of taking pix of you and your HOG zipping thru the hills of the cedar. It would be great practicing, give me a holler anytime.

[denyed]

I will apologize to controls if I was rude. I will gladly help you out, I was just in shock in the beginnning. Your latest stuff is really coming along. (No I am not backpeddling! :P) I would have to say in defense for myself that I didn't feel I was being rude, rude would be the way idontgetit reacted. Again I apologize.

my avatar was/is part of a larger photomanipulation that I did about a year ago. I just took a chunk out of it for just a colorful meaningless avatar.

[denyed]

As shniks was saying, the color will cost you a bit more to print. Generally, at least in Canada, you're looking at $15 extra per color, for 500 business cards. So for 500 cards, it would cost approx. $110 Canadian for 4 color printing.

[arumdevil]

Claire if i go lighter on the photos then some of the ol guys won't be able to see them and won't be able to tell what they are. but i'll find a way to do it. thanks

arumdevil what if i was to put only 3 images on it to begin with, have the right in the middle of the card. yours looks nice but i'm not sure about the drop shadows. I don't mind and i thank you very much for all the help you've been.

i know i know, it is getting pretty deep in here. The only prob with not having photos now is what if they don't have the net? They can't see what I do, and the card would have a small sample of what I have done.
I'd have no issue of taking pix of you and your HOG zipping thru the hills of the cedar. It would be great practicing, give me a holler anytime.

yeah, I tried it with just the bottom 3 images moved up a bit, it looked really good too. .i wasn't sure about the drop shadows either, especially on the lower text, but I felt that your name needed something to make it more legible over the photos. maybe a more subtle drop shadow would be better. if you just had one row of images then this wouldn't be a problem.

[MattSEG]

I think that is way too busy. For a similar price and some glad handing you can get your order split into maybe 3-5 different prints, with different shots. It would look better, and people would find it interesting to see they have different versions of your card.

I see people forgetting the first rule of graphic design, simplicity.

[Leighow]

[quote="stopbath"]
The last card you put up, also looks very good. Clean and professional. Not glitzy and over bearing, but the font used for the name, well, it doesn't really grab attention... Could be a head line in a newspaper... Not sure about the 'back' of the card.
quote]

Well ... I was not stoked-up unitl I hit your RED Car Show Image of the ??? emblem. I see that or a car-free of ashphalt being the focus of youe PHOTOGRAPHY.

Yup .. IMHO an image is a must ... place your name across the image or elswhere.

As for the "Control" .. you are not trying to convince prospects that you are a "pen guy or a designer". Your talent is behind a lens.

[c0ntr0lz]

denyed it's kool you're not the one that was going off. and thank you, I printed out the top 3 cards everyone liked and showed them to my parents and they liked the ones the cars on it also. So i think that is the one I"m going to go with. just need do a little fixing and go with it.

arumdevil i think that's what i'll do

very true Matt I'll probably take it to card comp and see what they say
thanks

[Leighow]

I agree with claire, your name looks a bit weird so close to the edge. i played around with it a bit, hope you don't mind. it also looked quite good with only the bottom 3 images.


http://www.arumdevil.com/stuff/pics/photo/card2.jpg

I love this version. It will cost a bit to produce, but looks so professional.

Ooops I guessed that I mssed this page!


Yup .. this is the wway to go. terrific... I suggest all color for the cars to set them out from the text. And don't forget the r in photography

[CyberDyneSystems]

... rude would be the way idontgetit reacted. ..



Next time you see him at work, do us a favor a slap him upside the head for us! :mrgreen:

Welcome to the Forum Denyed!

[Conk]

denyed
I have to admit, that the way I posted earlier I felt kind of bratty. I wasn't looking to be rude either but just a little sarcastic. Please don't take it seriously. Btw, welcome to the forum. :)

[arumdevil]

cool, don't forget to show us the final design once you are happy with it :D

[Claire]

I think that is way too busy. For a similar price and some glad handing you can get your order split into maybe 3-5 different prints, with different shots. It would look better, and people would find it interesting to see they have different versions of your card.

I see people forgetting the first rule of graphic design, simplicity.


So, which cards exactly did you pick out? There have been so many in this thread I'm getting confused! :oops:

Really like Matt's suggestion here. A friend of mine and I had a conversation about this stuff. He said he'd love to see postcard sized introduction cards from me with same or different pics. Thought that would look cool for handing out as it'd be a bigger sized "business card" with the contact details, plus showcasing my work. That's just his idea though, but maybe something to consider in the future?

[c0ntr0lz]

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard14.jpg

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard14a.jpg

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard14b.jpg

[dn7elson]

#1 looks unbalanced and crowded with the image at the upper left.
#2 is my favorite, other than the oversized "J" that seems out of place with the other letters and caps. Logo adds some needed white space without making it a dead area. Font for name size could be a bit smaller.
#3 The name lettering size and spacing is excessive. A more subdued presentation is generally preferred for professional business cards.

[Claire]

I like #2 and #3 best. #2 probably gets my vote as I prefer the size and spacing on your name best there. Agree with dn7elson about the excessive spacing in #3.

/Claire

[arumdevil]

I really like number 2 also, or number three with the text a bit refined.

this is just nit picking, but for number two i would make "Jakeb Miller custom car photography" centered relative to the two photos directly below it. Also I would put web address and phone # in red - bit darker red than that you have already used though.

that's just what I'd do if it were mine - to me it makes it a bit more pleasing to the eye and easier to take in.

looking good.

[denyed]

Well thanks for the "welcome" as interesting a ride as this has been! Now on to the business cards!

There is something in them all that is easy to change but won't work well at the printer. You have your pictures basically hugging the edge of the card, either bleed them or pull them in more, personally I would suggest bleeding them, people like that.
In #1 & 2 that red is to RGB red, it's ugly, in #3 you picked a much nicer red, it's more "lush" than "in your face, I dare you to try and read this!"
I remember you mentioning that you like to have your information large, as that may be, I would suggest trying a point or two smaller, just for fun. ;)
#1 had too many pictures in it, it was feeling cluttered and tight, minimalism is a designers best friend (you know that).
#2: I like your logo/name...but again it sort of sticks out like a sore thumb, it has no strength in its current position.
#3: By far my favorite, I don't mind how you have your name kerned, I would bring it in a tad so the "Custom Car.." line and "Jakeb Miller" are equal in length... again as mentioned for all of the cards, make your info line a bit smaller, it will have a cleaning effect. And bleed the images. You might want to try and put a 1 point white line seperating all the images... just for fun, though I like this.

I would have to say that your cards have come a long way and I am impressed. Keep it up controlz!

[arumdevil]

Well thanks for the "welcome" as interesting a ride as this has been! Now on to the business cards!

There is something in them all that is easy to change but won't work well at the printer. You have your pictures basically hugging the edge of the card, either bleed them or pull them in more, personally I would suggest bleeding them, people like that.
In #1 & 2 that red is to RGB red, it's ugly, in #3 you picked a much nicer red, it's more "lush" than "in your face, I dare you to try and read this!"
I remember you mentioning that you like to have your information large, as that may be, I would suggest trying a point or two smaller, just for fun. ;)
#1 had too many pictures in it, it was feeling cluttered and tight, minimalism is a designers best friend (you know that).
#2: I like your logo/name...but again it sort of sticks out like a sore thumb, it has no strength in its current position.
#3: By far my favorite, I don't mind how you have your name kerned, I would bring it in a tad so the "Custom Car.." line and "Jakeb Miller" are equal in length... again as mentioned for all of the cards, make your info line a bit smaller, it will have a cleaning effect. And bleed the images. You might want to try and put a 1 point white line seperating all the images... just for fun, though I like this.

I would have to say that your cards have come a long way and I am impressed. Keep it up controlz!
I agree with all of these suggestions - especially about the red. just one question though denyed - what is bleeding?

[denyed]

arumdevil: Sorry I should have been more clear on what bleed is. It's when you fall and cut yourself bad, you bleed! hahaha j/k! Bleeding is a term used in the print industry which simply specifies that your pictures go right to the edge of your document, and then another 1/8" further. This way when your cards are printed and cut into their individual cards the pictures are right ot the edge. When cards are cut, no card is EVER exactly the same as the next one, there is always a little wobble from the cutters, so what the 1/8" bleed of the paper does it allows for errors! A very lengthy explanation but necessary to understand the concept without showing it to you.

[arumdevil]

gotcha! I wondered what that red stuff spirting from my leg was it didn't taste like ketchup.

[c0ntr0lz]

yall guys are great!!!!

http://ctrlzproduction.com/images/cards/zcard14c.jpg



getting closer?

[denyed]

Try to be about 1/8" from the side if you are not going to bleed, aesthetically it looks more balanced. Right now your left side is pulled back from the side more than the left, make sure the same measurement is used on both sides. Balancing things is very important!

Did you try to make the info at the bottom any smaller? Just for fun?

[c0ntr0lz]

yeah i havne't squared everything up yet, just trying to see what looks best for layout. think the bottom should be smaller?

[arumdevil]

I think the bottom line should be red. but that's just me. I think this one looks very nice.

[Scottes]

I read the first few posts of this topic, and kind of ignored it for a while. But now I just saw that it got to 3 pages, and I had to wonder what was going on, so I read the entire topic.

Man, I can't wait until I need a business card designed! You guys are great!

I love this place.

[Jon Foster]

Man, this was an interesting thread.

Jon.

[blue_max]

First post on this subject, but it is my trade, so feel I must comment.

You have (so far) ended up with a card that is acceptable to the majority. Nothing wrong with that, but is that what you truly want?

It's rather like, in photographic terms, a well exposed picture. The difference is that we may really wish to produce a 'stunner', in terms of composition and creativity.

I design from experience. My designs would follow what I knew would work. My wife is a creative and her designs would be 'unexpected' – the best way to describe them. In other words, they would not be like mine at all. Much like a talented photographer would not take the same picture of exactly the same scene, they would look for an angle.

You may end up with everybody on the forum liking the card, but does it actually say what YOU want to say about your photography?

I picked up a camera and thought I could be a photographer. Even after doing it for years I am learning that there is a whole lot more to it than having a camera. In actual fact, I may never be really good enough to be anything better than average. Perhaps this thread has shown there really is more to graphic design than meets the eye.

You may end up tweaking all the elements, but miss the fact that it doesn't say what you want it to say as a whole. That's just something to consider. Best of luck with the card.

Graham

[sharksbite]

http://www.livejournal.com/community/graphicdesign/ <-- they give excellent opinions, fyi. :)

[Jon Foster]

Ok, I figured I'd play around for a few minutes and see what I could come up with for some cheap business cards to carry in my pocket... They make good note pads. ;) And I liked Frank's idea of printing 3 up on 4x6 photo paper so I tried 3 different pictures/backgrounds to see how they would look. Nothing too fancy, just some playin...

My wife also had a coupon for 20 free digital prints at Meijer so I had them print up 20 copies for me tonight. They look terrible! The colors are way way off. My monitors are not calibrated as good as they should be but when I make prints on my Epson photo printer or HP color laser the prints are very very close to all my monitors. The alignment was also off enough to be noticeable. They turned out much better on my Epson (but I ran out of ink).

http://home.comcast.net/~kookala/Photography_Business_Card_4x6-2.jpg

Jon.

[I Simonius]

here are a few of the cards that I've come up with?


3 is the only one that is DIFFERENT enough to get remembered and tell people that your different - methinks!

[Thornfield]

Personaly I think the colour in the pictures is the distracting bit. I've had a play and came up with a few things. Why not turn the pictures into B&W and then tone them different colours. I 've had a play with this and think it works. Will post a sample if you'll allow it

[PIXI_666]

Theya re ALL very similar....i'd say any of them would work

[Radtech1]

Has anyone noticed that Jakeb (c0ntr0lz) has made only one post since April of last year - and that was in October. I think it is safe to say he is no longer a participant here. Time to let this thread die, perhaps?

Rad

[Shekinah]

I like # 1 and # 10 sorry, I could not make up my mind between the two. I definitely don't like no 3. But don't take my advise as I could not make my own cards up, I had to get a graphic designer to do mine and I am very, very happy with the outcome.