New Business cards ideas

[pixel]

if i can say a word
there is definitely too much fonts on all designs
you have 5 or 6 fonts on each
upper case and lower case have to be treated as 2 fonts

why you repeat phone twice?
maybe try to simplify phone icon (remove cable)
maybe it would be good to divide phone numbers in unified way
or not to divide them or divide with narrow gap

take a look at design with eyes almost shut
don't read words just look at the design as on the picture
you should see how people will see this cards

ask yourself what you want to show on design
you cannot show everything
something is more important - it should be visible

if you attract attention to some points then potential client will focus
and will read less important (smaller) items
if you fail with attracting then nothing will be read

i like the heading on the 2nd one and on 3th
it attracts my eyes

sorry for this long story

[stlewis]

I agree with Pixel - too much stuff but No 3 is best.

A card works like all adverts: AIDA

Attract - something to make you look at it, twice
Inform - hit the viewer's 'button', something positive
Desire - make them want it
Action - the phone number etc

The 'Inform/Desire' tags are at the top and bottom - put them together (or lose 2). That makes the message clearer.

I'm not sure there is an Attract element - it needs something!

[amotl]

Simon and Pixel
Thank you for your comments. My thoughts as a result of the various suggestions are as the attached.
I am endeavouring to get back following a bad accident and am starting with the business cards.
As anyone reading my posts over the last few years will know I get a great deal of pleasure out of the forum
Regards
amotl

[a4hire]

Number 2 all the way! Nice clean and simple....

[stlewis]

No 2 too for me. The picture 'grabs', then simple messages...

You could use a similar layout for flyers and adverts.

[pauland]

OK, Here's a quick go with my take on it.

This isn't my job, but here's what I think.

The card design should reflect the care you would take when designing a kitchen. You wouldn't design a kitchen with different colour and styles of worktops, nor would you have cabinets from different manufacturers. Everything needs to be consistent and working towards the same goal - a clean looking a functional kitchen.

Taking that forward I've removed a lot of subsidiary information (one phone number should be enough, who uses faxes these days?) and taken the liberty to change some of your blurb.

I've made the picture into a framed snapshot and reversed the picture to it takes your attention into the card rather than away from it.

There's only one font and a limited use of font sizes. To reduce clutter further the web URL has moved into the picture.

I think all this has created some space for things to breathe making the card easier to read.

Anyway, it's just a bit more input to the pot - others here know a lot more about this than me.

BTW, the images on the http://www.transformyourkitchen.co.uk/ site were all broken for me (edit: just checked - I guess the site is really still being built - not as good as the other one).

Good luck with the recovery and card designs.

Paul

[pixel]

pauland
i would say your design points better direction
but amotl wants to keep his heading i suppose

amotl
take a look at pauland design
1. photo doesn't touch border of the vCard/bCard
2. furniture is "looking" inside the design - it has to be like this
3. there is no redundant data

but!
1. frames around photo is unnecessary because when photo doesn't touch the border we have enough frame around (white frame)
2. shaddow is not good - it doesn't have any connection with other parts
3. there is too much white space (on the right) comparing to photo - there is no balance
4. there is still too much fonts - 5 (3 would be just right)

so i would suggest
1. to use gap around photo
2. to use furniture looking inside the design
3. use less font styles (each modification of font is a new font)
4. try to balance the design
5. (i like your heading) try to use it on the right side of the design but putting words in a column aligned to the left (not in a row) - just to try
6. use the same gap between border-photo and photo-text

[amotl]

Pauland and Pixel
Thank you for your guidance.
The attached are my interpretation of your suggestions

On TYK I am inclined to go with the heading as I have looked at dozens of fonts to attempt to get the effect I am after.

On NKD I am inclined to go with the Arial heading / logo as my current logo doesn't shrink well for cards or adverts ( No 5). This name which is all one word I wish to highlight and give the impression it is three words. I have spent hundreds of pounds buying new logo ideas for this name but we have never managed to get it right.

I will ask the moderators later this year if I can sponsor a logo design competition to see if we can crack this one. I have always loved the logo competitions here on the forum
Regards
amotl

[pauland]

Hi amotl,

I'd suggest you do a little research with a few customers to test out the ideas for your designs (just print them as you have them now on a sheet of ordinary paper). Ask them which design they prefer and why. Don't say that you designed the cards - ask your friends also, but remember that friends most often will tend to say complimentary things, but not criticise so they won't offend.

Not being your personal friend (but trying to be helpful), I really find the transform your kitchen text shenanigans confusing and unpleasing and I would expect the your/our trick will whistle over the heads of most people just like it does mine.

Anyway, I probably said more than I should, but it with good intent and I wish you well.

Paul

[pixel]

hi
ok i decided to show you how i think it should be

this is not my project
it's just a proposition of changes

(NKD as a column doesn't work at all)

1. gaps around the card are more or less equal
2. NKD elements are not moulded but just skewed
3. www has black glow because picture is bright
4. unussual t f m e are replaced by more... standard ones
5. email is closing vcard from the bottom
6. email is bolded to split long joined-word