Design Critiques Please =^.^=

[nyahkitty]

Hello,

 

I've attached to this post an image file of the current redesign of my business card. Critiques please.

[higginsdj]

It doesn't say what you do. You might be a photo studio, a sound studio or a portrait artist!

 

Aside from that I like the graphic design. I'd move the text boxes up a tad (in the centred position they look below centre - just an optical illusion thing - think matt border around a watercolour). Have you experimented with the address box being black on white (ie in contrast to your name box)?

 

Cheers

[D.Joseph Design]

Avoid all-caps. Your name is okay, but especially avoid it in your email address.

 

More comments to follow.

[nyahkitty]

Here's the original,

 

revision will be up in a moment.....

[nyahkitty]

Revision #1

[nyahkitty]

Revision #2

[higginsdj]

I like Revision 1 - more pleasing to the eye. Try filling in the border around the address text.

 

Cheers

[nyahkitty]

The idea for the redesign was to make the text more readable by inverting the values. That way the viewer's eyes don't have to work so hard. I had thought of inverting only the name box before, but then I wondered why not do that to the other text box as well?

 

As you can see, I'm big on geometric unity. However the weight of the two boxes must be balanced, besides being readable. So, yes, slightly offsetting the name box seems to help. I think I'll make it wider as well, since there's barely any room for my name.

 

So is black text on white ground easier to read, or is it the inverted value scheme that's easier? Or is varying it, as in the two latest examples, what's called for?

 

When I first designed the card, I found my talents covered a wide range of activity

 

= generalist.

 

Besides, I thought adding another line might throw the balance off. I figured at the time that my website that I listed on the card would speak for my talents. However, what manner of position could be named for what I do:

 

-character design

-creature design

-sci-fi vehicle design

-sci-fi robot design

-3D modeling and animation

-character

-titles and logo's

-VFX

-Graphic Design

-writing

-video editing

-compositing VFX

-etc.

 

Would this qualify me as a "Multi-Media Artist" or is there a more specific title?

 

And finally, I am aware of the advice to specialise and do well in one field. The problem is, I'm spoiled for choice.

 

New revisions posted soon. Please stand by.....

[Mechadelphia]

Hi John,

 

You could also invest in your own domain name instead of using Juno.com's

 

It can make you seem more... "savy" and "professional" to potential clients (not that you are not savy and professional)

 

You can obtain one for really good rates nowadays and many registrars will let you set up email accounts for your domain for free.

 

If you register a name make sure that you register with an ICANN accredited registrar.

 

Check it out and good luck.

[higginsdj]

My take on business cards is this:

 

1. I want them to see my name - first and foremost so it needs to stand out.

2. I want them to know who I am/what I do (without the need to 'look me up')

3. Provide a single, no failure, fast contact on the front of the card. You can put a lot more detail on the back of the card.....

 

Cheers

[ChrisThom]

It feels very 2 dimenional which is ironic considering what you do. Overall, the design is a bit boring. There's nothing drawing me to it.

 

If you are really wanting to stick to black and white (which I'm assuming is for cost issues) I would at least put a little grey in there to add some depth.

 

Here's a card I knocked out in about 10 minutes to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

 

If it is mearly a cost issue for not going to color I have a company that I've done some work through that can get you 1000 full color Business careds for only $50. And theese are real, nice, think cards. Not Like you'd print off at home.

[nyahkitty]

Revision #3

 

Just a moment, let me try something else, just for fun.

[nyahkitty]

Suggestions noted:

 

-I'm guessing a domain name would be something like:

NyahKitty@HodgePodgeStudios.com

Yes?

I agree, presentation is 75% of the sale. I endeavor for this inspite of being a stickler for straight-laced communication in a product.

 

-B+W is what I grew up on for most of my art production. It seems like the answer must be within the balance between being simple and being effective. The more it works for the less detail involved, the better.

Your ten minutes worth of work confirms my suspicion; I am excruciatingly slow.

How long have you worked with graphic design? Yes, please relay the contact info of the print company that makes cards.

 

-Considering that I'm presenting myself as someone who works in a visual industry, my card better communicate that I have sufficient grasp of the subject.

 

hmm.....

 

So it comes to this:

 

-I'm exceptionally talented, artistically. My conscious awareness of the principles I've used for years is just beginning to come to light. I'm a slow worker. Anyone know of a niche' I can fill in the industry with these circumstances and the previously mentioned skill set? Yes, I am well aware that competition is fierce in the job market, but let's assume there are still positions available out there I can fill.

 

Suggestions?

[nyahkitty]

Revision #4

 

I like the first one and included the others to show what would happen if I remove any white borders.

[nyahkitty]

Hmm... I wonder if I make the border on the name box just slightly thicker... will that make it seem to jump out more? Working......

[nyahkitty]

Revision #5

Yay!

[JoshB]

The lines are making it a really busy design--distracting the eye from the letters which should be the focal point.

 

Don't know what you do--still. Are you an animation studio. Visual effects studio. Rental studio. Painting studio. Are you even a studio--or just an independent. Also, considering the title it could literally be anything. However, you are advertising yourself--not a company.

 

Would this qualify me as a "Multi-Media Artist" or is there a more specific title?

 

And finally, I am aware of the advice to specialise and do well in one field. The problem is, I'm spoiled for choice.

 

Given your online portfolio you seem more like a 2d person not a CG person. If you can do all these things which one do you really LIKE to do--and stick it on your website. Yes I know--I really like to do all of them--pick your favorites. For instance--I can light, I can texture, I can composite images, I can take a mean photo, draw a nice picture--life or fanatasy, just found out I'm good at sculpture, animate, web design, web animation, graphic design, logo design, design layout, page layout, workflow, story board, write, act, blah, blah, blah. Multimedia artist and proud of it. But I REALLY like computer art--computer artist. But, I REALLY like to bring stuff to life--visually (texture, light, animate). But, I want to get PAID to animate--therefore, business card says:

 

Josh Bruce

Animator

 

Further, the assumption in most houses is that you are semi-versed in a LOT of areas.

 

Think of it like this--you're selling yourself.

 

The business card gets people interested--so it better reflect in some small way your personality and your style. Most of the stuff on your website are cartoon animals. So, if your business card doesn't reflect that nature in some way--it's a mixed signal.

 

The business card should lead into a resume with a similar "feel."

 

These two items lead to the website. Which, again should demonstrate your style--your best work. And your range, if there is one, some guys only do frogs--but hey they are some nice flippin frogs. Others do mechanical models--but they are some nice mechanical models. If you're range includes all those things--prove it in your portfolio. I could tell you I was the best Mechwarrior modeler you've ever seen--but show me a mechwarrior on my site to back it up.

 

Anyway, it doesn't match you. You don't seem like a dark person--as the color suggests. You don't seem like a rigid person--as the lines and boxes suggest. And, it definitely doesn't match the work on your site. I was expecting some gothic style artwork--imagine my surprise when I saw your warner brothers style. Therefore, I'm not digging any of the designs--as they pertain to you. The design is alright--just not for you.

 

J

[ChrisThom]

The lines are making it a really busy design--distracting the eye from the letters which should be the focal point.

 

Don't know what you do--still. Are you an animation studio. Visual effects studio. Rental studio. Painting studio. Are you even a studio--or just an independent. Also, considering the title it could literally be anything. However, you are advertising yourself--not a company.

 

Would this qualify me as a "Multi-Media Artist" or is there a more specific title?

 

And finally, I am aware of the advice to specialise and do well in one field. The problem is, I'm spoiled for choice.

 

Given your online portfolio you seem more like a 2d person not a CG person. If you can do all these things which one do you really LIKE to do--and stick it on your website. Yes I know--I really like to do all of them--pick your favorites. For instance--I can light, I can texture, I can composite images, I can take a mean photo, draw a nice picture--life or fanatasy, just found out I'm good at sculpture, animate, web design, web animation, graphic design, logo design, design layout, page layout, workflow, story board, write, act, blah, blah, blah. Multimedia artist and proud of it. But I REALLY like computer art--computer artist. But, I REALLY like to bring stuff to life--visually (texture, light, animate). But, I want to get PAID to animate--therefore, business card says:

 

Josh Bruce

Animator

 

Further, the assumption in most houses is that you are semi-versed in a LOT of areas.

 

Think of it like this--you're selling yourself.

 

The business card gets people interested--so it better reflect in some small way your personality and your style. Most of the stuff on your website are cartoon animals. So, if your business card doesn't reflect that nature in some way--it's a mixed signal.

 

The business card should lead into a resume with a similar "feel."

 

These two items lead to the website. Which, again should demonstrate your style--your best work. And your range, if there is one, some guys only do frogs--but hey they are some nice flippin frogs. Others do mechanical models--but they are some nice mechanical models. If you're range includes all those things--prove it in your portfolio. I could tell you I was the best Mechwarrior modeler you've ever seen--but show me a mechwarrior on my site to back it up.

 

Anyway, it doesn't match you. You don't seem like a dark person--as the color suggests. You don't seem like a rigid person--as the lines and boxes suggest. And, it definitely doesn't match the work on your site. I was expecting some gothic style artwork--imagine my surprise when I saw your warner brothers style. Therefore, I'm not digging any of the designs--as they pertain to you. The design is alright--just not for you.

 

J

Well stated Josh.

[nyahkitty]

Point taken.

 

Incidently, someone else commented that he thought the design was for a business that installs siding. I personally push myself to be very organized and rigid to compensate for my lack thereof. One category of humor I like could be considered "dark" (e.g. Tim Burton). However, I do agree that one's strategy of self promotion should represent a united front. I do all sorts of things, thus the name Hodge Podge. At the time of building the site, I mostly had furry character illustrations on hand. It's sounding like an overhaul is in order.

 

I would think that the Gallery would be a general collection of things I've done, while Folio holds my "demo" work. Hmm... originally I'd figured on one website that covered everything. Considering the comments in this thread, it might do well to separate the professional and the personal (with a link to bridge both) so as to avoid confusion. So.... Folio could be renamed Resume, and Gallery could stay the same or be renamed something like Demo or Folio. Unless I actually have anything to sell, which may happen eventually, the Store could probably be deleted. Obviously the spelling of Hodje Podje in all the gem art would need to be changed to Hodge Podge.

 

As has been pointed out, there is the challenge of wanting to do everything, but needing to solicit for a limited range instead. So let's see.... if I had to pick any one job to apply for, it would be animation. I've often threatened to make a shirt that says, "I'd rather be animating". So having the pro site featuring a demo of 3D animation or even character animation specifically sounds like a good start. It is not unheard of for a studio or individual to handle a project in it's intirity (that is what Hash A:M is purposed for) such as V/A editing, 3D modeling and animation, 3D asset design, graphic design to complement the project, and VFX compositing and creation. An additional video demonstrating this specifically might be appropriate. Presumably these two video's would go in the Gallery section. Demo reels from previous years could go in a different spot on the same page, so that the viewer can track what progress I've made.

 

It sounds like a miscellany of collected art and video would better serve my personal site.

 

Card revisions soon to come.....

[nyahkitty]

Revision #6

 

I think I may be on to something.

 

ChrisThom: Yes, I'd like to see contact Info for that company which produces color business cards. Thank you.

 

 

 

EDITED: Had some trouble with the server recognizing my Jpeg. Yay! IrfanView did it. Now I wonder what's up with Photoshop and Illustrator. Anyway, critiques please.

[nyahkitty]

Revision #7

 

I think I've got it. Comments anyone?

[ChrisThom]

Revision #7

 

I think I've got it. Comments anyone?

Now you're onto something!

 

I think I like V6 better than 7. The new bevel is a bit distracting and starting to get too busy.

 

Also, maybe try having the character popping up from the bottom to look more like he's hiding. Right now he just looks covered.

 

I would think about changing the colors. they're kinda drab and flat looking. Nothing exciting to draw me in. I can understand if you're trying to to the whole TV vision thing but it still needs to be more vibrant & interesting.

 

That printer's name is America's Printer & their site is AmericasPrinter.com. I have used them several times and have been very happy with the job they've done. If you want they'll send you a sample pack or their work.

[jon]

i have to say that there are still too many horizontal and vertical lines, as well as too many bevels upon bevels and dropshadows on dropwshadows.

 

the data you're trying to convey is very hard to pull out.

 

allcaps may in theory increase readability, but here it just serves to turn your name into a design element. sounds like a good result, but it's not.

 

sorry about being so negative, but these are issues you'll be pleased you fixed before printing a thousand cards.

 

-jon

 

just noticed the lack of a physical address: another hit on the professional effect of the card.

[nyahkitty]

Revision #8

 

Text and bevels soon therafter. Working.....

[nyahkitty]

Revision #9

This should solve the readability and general clutter problems.

[nf1nk]

Getting close John, but I can't see that blue printing well, or holding up to abuse. the beveling still seems unnessisary. The card has come along way and your hard work is showing

[reason808]

Hmmm, I'm jumping into this a bit late. I was perusing the AM forums while taking a break from an MTV design job. Since I'm too newb to give AM tips, and I want to return the help I've gotten in these forums, I hope my design crit will be helpful:

 

I think your card designs are well done overall. Two first impressions:

 

1) The line patterns in the background aren't fine enough. Instead of looking like a pattern, they visually compete with the lines of text.

 

2) I'd focus less on the subtleties of colors and line thickness and more on typography. I'd avoid making a card too flashy - it runs the risky of looking unprofessionally glitzy. Focus on the "dull" stuff like the kerning on the "Po" in "hodgepodgestudios" Something simple, elegant, and restrained may be the way to go. You have avenir as your typeface - good choice, I've made it the main font for my portfolio site :-)

 

Personally, I think designing business cards are a bit overrated. When I was younger, I spent $400 on a reallly elaborate card with custom black paper and yellow type. But over the years, I feel that a card that tries too hard doesn't help its creator.

 

90% of the time you're handing your card to a person you've met, so the business card is a really a follow-up impression. In that vein, I'd also make sure that your business card and your website match up visually. If you can only afford simple printing, choose black and a color that's from your site.

 

Oh yeah, I prefer cards with a white or light background. Yeah its dull, but I always find myself writing on the biz cards of the people I've contacted. Its annoying on the ocassions when I can't do that, and annnoyance isn't a good impression.

 

For what its worth, I have a lot of design experience.

See my portfolio site: www.michaelrobinson.com

 

Hope this is constructive. I'll admit a bit of a minimalist, so my crit shows a bias towards that.

 

Okay, I better get back to work.

[reason808]

Hmmm, some of my critiques are in reference to earlier designs because my page didn't load correctly. I was looking at #5. Sorry. I guess some of my comments are irrrelevant. I'll have to ammend my comments after I've done some work.

 

-mr

[Newbert_Zero]

i think his eyes need to be looking somewhere else.

[JoshB]

I like the far background layer good trapping lines as the head is a sphere and will lead the eye around the card. I would like to see that full head looking toward the text from the bottom right of the card--mostly just to see if it works. The reason my mind is going this way is because humans have a tendency to look where others are looking--therefore, if the rabbit is looking at us the tendency is to think he is staring at something behind us. Further, English speaking people tend to read left to right top to bottom. Thus, putting the rabbit on the bottom right it will, theoretically, be the last thing anyone sees--but, he will be staring back into the card--getting the viewer to be trapped.

 

Now the text boxes I am having issues with. Mostly because they seem to clash with the background. I agree that the bevels seem unnecessary (also, bevels, drop shadows, and outer glow are layer effects in photoshop they don't have the same--ooooh ahhh appeal they once did. If you did it the hard way--I'm sorry--just know there's an easier way). I would recommend a flat square--similar to what you had before--no outline. Also, if you could make the blocks a warm color--almost red this will help make them stand from the background (which seems to be the only logic behind the bevel). Red/orange is the complimentary color to green/yellow. Therefore, when you put them together there tends to be a push but aesthetically they don't clash. Try to stay away from full on red and full on green--or be prepared for a lot of christmas comments. Similar orange is the compliment to blue--but then you have a lot of broncos comments to contend with.

 

Given my affinity for page layout I would recommend putting the name block in the top left, leaving a small gap between it and the edge of the card. Follow it by the info box in the center of the card--making the box itself slightly smaller than it's current incarnation. Then a render of the bunny head in the bottom right staring back into the card to trap your viewers. With the ears going up the right edge of the card. Now top to bottom left to right it's as simple as an introductory conversation--my name is, i do this, my work is here, contact me here, simple sample image which directs you back into the card.

 

We now know what you do. However, art is too general. Think of it like this. If you are handing this thing to a business type person they are the most impatient, inconsiderate, and non-time having schmoes you will ever meet. They don't have time to screw around. Saying you're an artist in today's market isn't like it was back in the day--when you either painted or sculpted. Digital artists, graphic artist, painter, sculptor, sign art, so on and so forth--all art, but different. If you want to animate and do vfx just leave it at that.

 

I am saying this not to try to take over your design (which is how I react sometimes to crits like this). What I am saying is basically what I would have done given the elements you are working with and why--without trying to bring my own personal aesthetic and style into the mix. I never would have chose those elements--because they're not me. However, they're working a lot better for what I've seen from you. The green coincides with the coloring of your site. The character matches more of the work on your site. It's in CG and most of your site has 2d stuff--but nonetheless the concept is the same. You are definitely heading in a more consistent direction and that is wonderful.

 

J

 

p.s. if cost wasn't a major concern I would also suggest putting your character head on the back of the card, maybe looking as though he is trying to peer around the edge of the card.

 

p.s.s and just to show you that I don't think myself above this. I once had an objective statement on a resume that went something like this--I want to animate interesting characters using various rigs. In an environment that fosters personal and artistic growth. Okay--that's not saying much. First, off what makes a character interesting? Second, rigs in general are, by necessity, interesting? Third, isn't that the objective of an animator in general? Fourth, isn't the point of a job to foster personal growth? Fifth, what direction do you want to grow artistically? Again, they say so much but not really. I got so fried by my prof (if that's your objective statement--again--sorry). But, he LOVED my business card if you want I'll post it so you can see, and I'll explain why I made the decisions I did.

[Newbert_Zero]

dang you just wrote a novel there.

[JoshB]

Could've been worse I could've posted eight times in a row to say the same thing

 

 

J

[ChrisThom]

Revision #9

This should solve the readability and general clutter problems.

 

Eh... Personally, I think you were closer before though I do like the character better (the first of the three in a row you posted is positioned best).

 

In regards to the colors you could have just made the main box with your contact info white and it would have probably done the trick. The colors are starting to conflict and it's looking a little circus-y.

 

It's almost getting to a point now where you're trying too hard.

[jon]

i think the move toward simplicity is a good one. i like the latest cards best of all, but i think you can strengthen them further with more streamlining.

 

there's a rule for packing when going camping. if you're not sure you need it, leave it out.

 

ultimately, this card is a representation of you, so feel free to disregard all of this advice if you'd rather do somthing else. ' ' )

 

-jon

[nyahkitty]

Noted. Responses below:

 

-It would seem there are two camps for visible trap lines; those who think it works well for directing and keeping the viewer's attention and the other's who would rather that the things just go away. For some reason this strikes me as humorous. However I would place this within the category of Personal Asthetic, on the verge of Controversial, but definitely attention getting.

 

I could knock one or two pixels off the lines to thin them out. They will turn into a straight value/hue if I go much further than that.

 

-I lean towards a simpler, no-nonsense approach in design. Just get the message acrossed and do it in the most direct, utilitarian manner possible. One of my great limitations is lack of balance, which is why I solicited critique's from this forum, since what I do relates directly to work on the computer. That pesky generation of youth seems to want things more fancy, but streamlined = sophisticated.

 

-I'll see about adjusting where the eye's are looking. I agree that this does help as a trap. Speaking of which, it seems to me that the ear on the right hand side acts as a border to stop the viewer's eye there so that it'll have to go back to the text.

 

-Anyone notice how some of the revisions have super bright colors and other's are more subtle? For a while, the forum server was displaying Jpeg's produced directly from Photoshop and Illustrator. Now I have to either produce a GIF of the thing or process the Jpeg through IrfanView (which makes the colors more bright). Control of final output is neccasary in any visual business, so it'd be nice to know why this is happening and then solve this issue.

 

NOTE: the error message states that the image cannot be displayed because it may have errors in it. Anyone know how this is happening? I've always had trouble getting photoshop to accept the alpha channel when opening a TGA or TIFF. To solve this, I resort to opening the image in Illustrator, copying it, then pasting it over in Photoshop. This preserves the transparency. At this time, Photoshop 7.0 (I think that's the one before CS) has never accepted alpha's from my TGA's directly. The online doc says use TIFF's or Pixar format... still nothing.

 

-I will do a version without bevels, glows, or drop shadows. I have found that the composition lacks definition without those details. Again, two camps.

 

-I agree that a split complimentary color set would push and pull the visual elements more, and I can try that (the wonder of computer imaging = infinite revisions), but my initial reaction echoes the concern mentioned regards the text boxes and the background clashing. The aim is to catch the attention of the viewer pleasantly, without assaulting it. Probably desaturating the box colors just half a step may be all that's needed to resolve the figure/ground issues.

 

Someone who reviewed this in person expressed concern that the character in mid-ground didn't have enough contrast to draw it out from the background. Of course, they were looking at an enlarged printout (8 1/2 x 11) from 25 feet away. A proof at actual size should show whether this is the case, though I doubt it is.

 

Also, the reaction of a number of people in this same session was that positioning the character midground made them curious, so that they wanted to lift everything else to see the rest of him = their attention was fixed on the card, instead of being bored. Good, good.

 

-The font is Arial. One of my other limitations is Typography, due to inexperience. Something that will need to be addressed if I'm to do much graphic design work. Anyone recall when Helvetica was THE font to use?

 

-Un-overlapping everything sounds interesting. I'll have to try that. The purpose of overlap (and beveling, drop shadows, etc.) was to steer the attention of the viewer by implying depth and mass. Since part of what I do is 3D, it seemed further appropriate to use those sort of details.

 

My site will be featuring greater variety soon, to accommodate my talents and how I promote them = 3D modeling and animation, graphic design, Visual FX, etc. After the long set of notes on my thoughts for changing my website strategy, I think I've got this figured out.

 

Josh Bruce: That professor sounds very..... um, visually alert, detail oriented, savvy = objectively hard-nosed Actually, it sounds like once you get past whatever rough edges of his personality, insights into his professional perception might be useful (he's cool, once you get to know the guy).

 

-Ah! I see it now, I know just the thing for the character's proximity and what he's looking at.

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone for the insightful comments. If I ignored it all, I'd be ignoring years of experience dealing with the audience's inherently human perception. If I abide by it all, my design will never get done. Once again, balance is the order of the day.

 

I do believe I am leaps and bounds closer to what's appropriate for promoting myself. Although the Hash Inc. forum is primarily related to the software itself, I do believe this will be a useful thread for those striving to develope a strategy of self-promotion in the 3D industry and business in general. Again, thank you.

[nyahkitty]

Mr. Robinson:

 

I just looked at your website..........wow.

 

I like how....er, it's interesting that it... um.... oh good grief!

 

The format is excellent and navigation worked great. The site is dense with information, but it doesn't feel overpopulated. I see what you mean by keeping things simplified. I like how you included a story with each piece of finished client work. Definitely a site to learn from.

 

Mr. Hankey, the christmas poo?!!!

Oh yeah, I heard of that thing.

[reason808]

I just looked at your website..........wow

Thanks. :-) Here's my two cents on some of your comments. Hope its useful.

 

their attention was fixed on the card, instead of being bored. Good, good.

You are likely to be falling into a trap with this line of thinking. You're not designing a poster or an ad that has to stand out from clutter or competing designs. If somebody is actually looking at your card, it means you've won their attention. By trying too much razzle-dazzle, particularly if you don't have a lot of design experience to draw from, you are likely to create glitzy designs that give a wrong impression. Keep it simple and elegant, like a coolheaded pro.

 

I will do a version without bevels, glows, or drop shadows.

Personally, I hate bevels, glows, drop shadows and other easy photoshop tricks. So much bad design has been done on them that they instantly give off the whiff of bad design. In the last few years, my knees have stopped jerking, especially since I saw how beautifully mac OSX used these effects. But my knees haven't completely stopped jerking, I'm a cranky old designer.

 

That pesky generation of youth seems to want things more fancy, but streamlined = sophisticated.

Us cranky old guys tend to the hiring. :-)

 

I'll see about adjusting where the eye's are looking.

A big rule in design is to make sure that peoples eye's never point in a direction off the page. Yes, rules are meant to be broken, but fair or unfair, the direction of eyes creates an strong invisible "line" in your composition, make sure its aimed where you want. Probably your name in this case.

 

The font is Arial. One of my other limitations is Typography, due to inexperience.

Typography is a complex and incredibly wonderful art. Unfortunately, bad and/or inexperienced designers go for "razzle dazzle" and throw out a typographic hodgepodge.

 

Here's a quick and dirty trick that may help you out: pick a clean, elegant typeface that has a lot of weights from ultra thin to ultra black. Use only 3 weights to create a scheme of emphasis for information (i.e., your name has one weight, contact data has another, signifiers of data like "cell phone" "home phone" have another, etc). Work in black and white and make it look really good, simple and elegant. I've done this "dirty trick" with a lot of my websites, in particular for Microsoft story pages and menu pages

 

This minimalist approach to type is also how I've always approached design in general. I always tried to pare things down to their essence, in black and white, and make sure it works and looks strong and punchy.

 

Only then do I start adding in other elelments, and always along the same lines. When picking colors I start with 2 or 3 (dark, mid, and light) and make sure they're the stongest ones. Even though my final color pallete may have 9-12 colors, they are usually based around a core set which I make sure is really strong from the outset.

 

This same approach can be applied to all sorts of effects. When you decided add razzle-dazzle effects they have a much more powerful effect coming from a strong core. Its also a LOT easier to decide amongst an infinite amount options when you've established a strong core. Too often people try to work from the opposite direction.

 

I can see that you're getting a lot of feedback and its hard to make choices. I'd suggest that you focus on the core elements and build out from there. Its really a philisophical approach, but its helped me out considerably.

 

Anyone recall when Helvetica was THE font to use?

Glad to see you're cool to this typeface. One of my pet peeves is the overuse of Helvetica. It still seems like every other designer with nerd-chic glasses uses this typeface in pale, lifeless colors. So much pretentiousness over a typeface used on bathroom signs. Some dutch guy even wrote a book "Helvetica: A Tribute" Good lord!! However, most of my design colleagues still love it, and always tease me about disliking it so much. :-)

 

Okay, I'm ranting and I've written a tome. Enough.

 

Hope this is helpful and not pretentious.

[nyahkitty]

Personally, I hate bevels, glows, drop shadows and other easy photoshop tricks. So much bad design has been done on them that they instantly give off the whiff of bad design.

 

Mr. Robinson: Having reviewed your sage counsel, after spending the better part of a week designing this card, I was inspired to produce this animation.

 

My Response

[nyahkitty]

Of course, that little gem was only intended as humor for a thread as full of posts as this one. Again, thank you to everyone for their critiques. The final design(s) will be posted soon for audience response, rather than critiques. Stay tuned!

 

I've added a few video's to the Portfolio section of my website.

 

www.HodgePodgeStudios.com

 

Please let me know if you find any broken links or misbehaving codecs.

[ChrisThom]

The top video link is broken and the second says that I need to have special software installed to play it from my Mac.

[nyahkitty]

Good grief!

 

Alright, let me go fix it.

 

So, out of the four links on the page right now, you're saying:

 

1 - the link to the "Dodger" video file is broken?

 

2 - the video file "YMNie IDENT" is asking for a special software?

 

3 - the two "Bevels" video files play fine?

[ChrisThom]

Good grief!

 

Alright, let me go fix it.

 

So, out of the four links on the page right now, you're saying:

 

1 - the link to the "Dodger" video file is broken?

 

2 - the video file "YMNie IDENT" is asking for a special software?

 

3 - the two "Bevels" video files play fine?

Yes

[reason808]

Mr. Robinson: ... I was inspired to produce this animation.

My Response

 

HAHAHAHA! :-)

 

That's awesome! I wish I could whip together an animation that quickly, but I'm getting there.

I may have to send some of my design friends this thread!

 

Watchout, they might defend that lowly Helvetica typeface.

 

-mr

[nyahkitty]

*Homer Simpson voice* mmmmmmm.... Helvetica.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm suddenly sensing yet another inspiration coming on.... .... no wait, it's gone now.

 

Hopefully tomorrow, Tuesday, the Portfolio page will be better organized.

[nyahkitty]

Ok.... here it is.

 

Now I'm looking for what impression you get from this, rather than critiques:

 

-Does it seem professional?

 

-What feeling do you get from it, what sort of personality of the business is being implied?

 

-What would you guess would be the services that this business provides?

[entity]

Color=too dark- Let some air in there... you could reverse-out the type?

 

design=

I like the v6 one, because it's simple and looks clean/neat. the box with your name should overlap the secondery info. Only one thing... visual tention makes me want to look at the borders more than the info-- when you overlap a box- overlap the corner so you have two sides of the overlapped box connecting to the full box shape. Boxes and lines only when they aren't parralel with the boxes sides... makes you focus on the box rather than the info...

 

Just some advice from someone who looks at ads all day at work.

[nyahkitty]

I just stumbled upon a variation that I like a great deal and says what I want it to say. I don't figure on changing the design anymore, so same questions as before:

 

-Does it seem professional?

 

-What sort of personality does this card imply?

 

-At a glance, what sort of services would you guess this business supplies?

[ChrisThom]

-Does it seem professional?

EH?!?

 

-What sort of personality does this card imply?

Very dark, simplistic. A bit unorganized.

 

-At a glance, what sort of services would you guess this business supplies?

Art, animation & VFX. Though looking at teh card I would not think that it's a very exciting or creative company. Just kinda bland and safe.

 

With all respect, maybe it's time you take this to a graphic designer and let them have a crack at it. It's not that your designs have been all bad, but they've all been variations on a same theme - squares & blocks.

 

I'm not saying this to offend but I believe that it's the strength of a man to be able to recognize his weaknesses.

[nyahkitty]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like the observations from this thread about what looks good covers the full spectrum. Interesting. Final links:

 

Latest Designs

 

 

 

Additionally, the Portfolio page has been improved. Feel free to take a look. A helpful notice regarding codecs is posted there:

 

Portfolio

[.:shortdog:.]

I personally like version 6 best