Is this over the top?

[KR4SC]

Not sure about this. Coach came up with the idea, I am not sold on it. What do you think?

[KR4SC]

Another version

[BaumannPhotography]

has a very static feel to me. I like the text and the idea. And it could use some hierarchy, I mean the text and the image seem to be on the same plane and the same size.

[KR4SC]

I guess I could add some depth/shadow to the text and the film strip. I agree, static is a good word for it. Looks like things pasted to a sheet of paper. Thanks for the ideas!

[tjketa]

Kyle, I like the second one and to me the first one doesn't stand out well and I think it's because the court, font color and the background don't compliment each other well. Would you have another action shot for the bottom picture in the film strip? To me it's to similar to the cut-out pic. I like the concept, but as Adam suggested, some depth would make it even better.

Tom

[KR4SC]

Thanks Tom,

I changes things up some to try to add depth to the text. Changed the photo on the bottom of the film strip and changed the colors to try to add some perspective to the middle of the picture. Is this better? I like the two color more than the single color as the single color looks very flat even though there is a texture to the background.

Kyle.

[VinnyC01]

I like #1, it just needs a bit more attraction in the middle for my taste. Just a flare background or something to bring you in. I like the film, but I suggest slanting it a bit. Here is a slanted film strip:

http://www.morriscountyhssports.net/images/Schedule_example.jpg

EDIT: Actually 3, is much better, bring me right to the middle, then the strip makes me want to peek over there. I like. Of course, right angles and rectangles are my anti-ideas. I always try to make more work for myself.

[siuleung]

As a graphic designer, the one thing that stands out to me is the cheesy typeface. I think less would be more here. Try to stick to just two font families, and I would also suggest taking the fire texture out of the 'ventura heat'. I also don't think the grandient behind the main picture looks too good, I think a solid black would look best. Other than that, I like the first version, with him off to the side and the smaller images off to the side. I also like VinnyCo1's idea of a slanted film strip. What about two separate film strips at different angles, one with a medium opacity and another with a lower one, to add some texture to the background? Also, the effect with the floor made to look like he's coming out of a picture himself is really well done. Overall, I think this is a strong idea, keep developing it.

[KR4SC]

Ok, great info and suggestions. Here is a new version. Only put one film strip as I thought it was getting busy and did not want to take away from the player. Black or Gradiant??? I think the gradiant gives it more depth. What does everyone else think? Changed the main fonts, but left the Ventura Heat font the same in one and changed in another, minus the flame texture. I did add a faint basketball texture to give it some interest.

[tjketa]

Great job Kyle - I like how you have those lines coming out from the middle of the background. Personally, I like the font of the second one above, but that's me and I'm not your customer. I meant to ask - how did you get the 3-D effect on the floor, that really is sweet. As always, thanks for sharing your ideas with us.

Tom

[FlyingPhotog]

The later edits are (IMO) better mainly because the font choice for the player name is soooo much easier to read.

Nice layout.

[GUER03]

How about making the background the texture/image of a backetball very close up. Maybe you can keep the bg of the top version and put the texture of the bball on top of it and in photoshop set in the layers pallete to 'overlay' or just reduce the opacity to blend it in the background a little.

Just what I would try. Good luck

[GUER03]

send me an email and I'll send you an idea of what I mean

GUER03@tx.rr.com

[Palladium]

I like them but IMHO I would not have the year placed at the top and soo big. I would move the "V" angled text up to the top and increase the size of the main images.

You can put a small year any place - I just feel with the year where it is is adds to too much dead space.

[paiintballa182]

The first one in post 9 looks great, but I would switch the placement of the team name, and year. To me it makes a little more sense to have the name, then the year

Hope that made sense

[LVPhotos]

I don't know why you took out the fire on the Ventura Heat, yeah it's a little cliche but it's 8th grade basketball... I liked it.

This is a bit off-topic but I wonder how much these kids are paying for these (I assume posters?) as it looks like a LOT LOT LOT of work!

[KR4SC]

This club has teams from 3rd grade through High School so around 60 kids. Every year they have an end of year BBQ where we do photo packages of the photos taken through out the year. For those parents that have purchased photos during the year, I am giving them an extra poster when they order a photo package. This is what I was thinking for the extra poster. It is a thank you for their support through out the year. For those that did not buy during the year and are only buying the photo package, they do not get this poster. Yes it is a lot of work but once set up, you have one extraction, shadow extraction, name/grade and moving the photos to the film strip. Not much involved once set up for the first one.

I am going to make some more changes based on the feedback and I will post later tonight. I keep each version so I can go back. I like the idea of the basketball texture and I do have some high rez photos of a basketball I can use. I will also look for someplace to put the date and increase the main photo size. This poster is only 8x10 at the moment so the bigger I make the main photo the better.

I appreciate the help and feedback. I truly see a difference from when I started to what we have now. I hope no one gets tired of my ideas/posts...

[KR4SC]

OK, here are the tow versions I am down to now. I put the basketball pattern in the background and I do like how it looks. It also adds some depth and texture. Now, to put fire in the font or not??? I enlarged the main photo but needed to shrink the floor as it was being overlapped by the filmstrip and did not look good. One more thought, I could put fire in the word HEAT and leave it out of the others. That may draw some attention to the name and be a compromise. Thoughts?

So, Door #1 or Door #2

Kyle

[l +Jarrod+ l]

Yep the second last (above) one wins. The only point of info i can share is if you had the camera tape instead of on the side but above and below, just smaller. Great job though!

[KR4SC]

Thanks! But I am not sure what you mean by "The only point of info i can share is if you had the camera tape instead of on the side but above and below, just smaller."

Kyle

[BaumannPhotography]

much more dynamic :)

[KR4SC]

Thanks! An an expert, I value your opinion very much. Your work is great.

[paiintballa182]

they keep getting better!

[KR4SC]

Thanks Bryan. Could not do it with out everyone's help!

[GUER03]

Wow these look great. I actually like both of them. The texture of the ball makes a big difference. Good job!

[VinnyC01]

TOP NOTCH!! #2 is the winner and they'll LOVE IT!

Print it and go young man!

[KR4SC]

I just wish I was a young man again. With all I know now, I may have taken some different paths.

Thanks everyone! Until the next one...

[tjketa]

Great job Kyle, I enjoy seeing how your projects evolve -- I especially like the addition of the ball.

Tom

[MJCoco]

Kyle - how about enlarging the court, bringing it downward and partially behind the film strip. Allow the players name to partially overlay the court at the bottom. Then enlarge the player to fill more of the center space, even overlaying his head on the top text. Or as an alternative, put the team name vertically on the left - ending at the top and proportioned 2/3 of the way down the side.

[KR4SC]

Thanks for the input, I will give it a try. I did have the court overlap (under) the film strip and did not like it at all. Overlapping the name is a interesting idea. More versions for me to work on...

Thanks everyone.

[siuleung]

You nailed it by putting that basketball texture in the back. All other changes are very strong as well.

[cevad]

IMHO, the main problem I see in the whole design is that the focus seems to be on the photographer's graphic design abilities and not on the photograph of the player. When I create a sports poster the main focus is on the athlete's photo... THAT is what you are selling. The graphics should be the icing on the cake. These designs seem to be more icing and less cake to me.

The last 2 examples posted by KR4SC are the best so far and the BB texture is really nice but I would like to see the main image of Ryan be much larger and take a more predominate space in the main part of the poster. Let the gingerbread graphics compliment the photo, not overpower it.

I AM happy to see that you are not trying to squish 30 mosaic action shots into the BG though. That just clutters up a poster up IMO. This is a Great start! Just switch your focus to the player and concentrate on the great main photo that you have. Let the graphics fill in the cracks.

Just my humble opinion

[KR4SC]

CEVAD,

Very good points and something I will definitely take to heart.

Kyle.

[tjketa]

IMHO, the main problem I see in the whole design is that the focus seems to be on the photographer's graphic design abilities and not on the photograph of the player. When I create a sports poster the main focus is on the athlete's photo... THAT is what you are selling. The graphics should be the icing on the cake. These designs seem to be more icing and less cake to me.

The last 2 examples posted by KR4SC are the best so far and the BB texture is really nice but I would like to see the main image of Ryan be much larger and take a more predominate space in the main part of the poster. Let the gingerbread graphics compliment the photo, not overpower it.

I AM happy to see that you are not trying to squish 30 mosaic action shots into the BG though. That just clutters up a poster up IMO. This is a Great start! Just switch your focus to the player and concentrate on the great main photo that you have. Let the graphics fill in the cracks.

Just my humble opinion

Isn't that simply a matter of taste? Undoubtedly the graphic artists in the crowd will say awesome etc. What it really boils down to is it what the customer wants and are they completely satisfied.

Tom