On the front, in the top bar, you should move the logo and type away from the edges a bit more (try to leave .125 inch around the edges for cutting) - you will probably have to reduce them a bit.

I would also center the name and contact info and get rid of the gray grid in the background or lighten them up until they're barely noticeable - they're distracting the way they are now.

I still think you should leave the back blank though.

Looking better with each revision!

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Along with what Jim said, I'm wondering what size your typefaces are. They seem rather large, you can easily read 9pt type at an 18" distance which is where you should be judging readability of type sizes. The information seems to be 12 or 14pt which is really too big. Try smaller sizes. You HAVE to fix the kerning between the T and the r in "Tree", you could drive a truck through that spacing.

I'm with Jim on the back too, leave it blank or just a small logo/simple design so if the card happens to be flipped over they'll still recognize that it's yours! Stick with it, you'll get it soon enough!

Visit My Website!: - David Bailey - graphic artist - ONLINE PORTFOLIO -

Agreeing with David B. - the kerning needs attention - STAT!

As tight as the rest of the words are concerned, the J T and D are too far away.

Joshua,

After reading the other threads and seeing your other designs, I think you are getting closer. However, I don't think this is "it."

First, think about the printing process. Unless you are printing this at CopyCraft or some other full-color type press, it will be very expensive. At least 3 colors, two sides. And you'll have to have a very good printer to make the effects pop in print like they can on screen.

Think about what Joshua Tree means. I know your name is Joshua, and maybe you don't have the same instant thoughts as those of us a bit older than you, but the first thing I think of is the stark profiles of Joshua Tree national park on the U2 album cover.

My suggestion would be to use that kind of imagry. Get a nice natural feeling paper, construction type. Like French Construction. Pick a nice color of paper, or maybe more than one. The yellow or orange would be my first choice.

Then use a one color design, black. Create a sillouette of a tree from Joshua Tree park.

Maybe it doesn't say what you want it to say, I'm not an expert in what kinds of clients you are going for. But that kind of natural feel matches the name better than the orb you have now, IMHO.

I actually do have excess around the edges for bleeding and cutting, but I cropped it out of the image for display reasons. I fixed the space between the "T" and the "r" like you said. I noticed that too but forgot to fix it. On the back, I want something there so people will still know it's my card from behind. I can't tell you how many times I've misplaced a card because I had it face down. Hehe. On the back, I moved the logo to the center and removed the "Notes:" part. It wasn't necessary. I also lightened up the grid, although it prints a little lighter then it is displayed so I don't think I should make it any lighter than #E5E5E5. As far as the type being so big, I know it is. I did that on purpose particularly because I do some business with stubborn politicians who don't like to look for their glasses. (I'm sorry if I've offended any politicians here.)

- JoshuaTree

Joshua -

This is better than before, but now that you've hinted on what type of clients you have (politicians with poor eyesight, which I take to mean older gentlemen), I have to question the graphics again.

Will these type of people think that you do their style of work by looking at this? Or will they think that you do stuff for tech companies? Think about your target market.

Also, something I caught from your last post, you said the color was #e5e5e5. That's hex. That's RGB. That's not right for print. Think CMYK or a couple of pantone colors. Print is different than the web. Print is different than what you see on screen.

Again I point out that this won't look as "shiny" in print. Even if you print on a gloss. Ink doesn't have the same characteristics as pixels. Pixels glow. Ink absorbs light.

Josh,

This card has improved immensly from the first concept to this, however I agree that this is not "it" yet.

I am with you though, I like having designs on the back, I think it just makes the card complete.. as long as it fits with the overall design and doesn't get to complicated. I like just putting a logo and the web address on the back.

I think your text is absolutely huge and should be reduced. I know you're trying to fill empty space, but try it centered and smaller.

I like the idea of the grid, I think it helps the card out a lot, however I think that the grid is also huge. Try making the grid smaller, like what I did for my old companies cards

I like this font choice better then the previous ones, but now I kind of think the font is too simple. You should go for a moderate looking techie font, nothing overboard, but not as simple as this font. Possibly Alexis? It may be too busy to, but I love that font!

Keep it coming..

I actually was going to point out how expensive this will be, which someone else has pointed out now. I think I remember you saying you are still in high school so you may not realize that getting it printed on both sides, you have to pay TWICE as much... you don't get a discount just because you paid for the front... you have to pay the same for the back, no matter how little content is on it.

Like someone else said, use CMYK for print if it's full color. It looks like you are only using two colors, so use pantone colors and it will save you some money in printing.

I really don't like the shadow part on your logo (where your name is)... as I know other people have said numerous times. It just doesn't look like something a professional graphic designer would put on their own card. I'm not too crazy about this new font for the phone, name, etc... the font looks like something a desktop publisher would use.

The two fonts just show such extremes. There is no happy medium... there is this super effected font in the logo and there is this plain font for the information. I just looked at your website and really like the way you have your name there (notice: it doesn't have a shadow thing going on, it isn't italicized, has a nice glow on the outside).

Typography is something you need to think very seriously about. In college, most designers (myself included) took a Typography course because it is that important and it is imperative to find the perfect font, to find the perfect kerning, to find the perfect effects for the font, etc...

I definitely think this one is better than the last ones, but I don't think it's print-worthy just yet.

I do not agree with it being almost there. Whats the concept behind it?
Right now, this card will not get my attention. There are too many photoshop filter looking elements on the card. There is just too much going on. This card does not make you look like a creative profesional.

http://www.davidpcrawford.com - http://www.vomit76.com

I understand that it will cost a lot to make these cards. It'll be about 40c each. But it think it's more worth it to have better looking cards that get people's attention, than a lot of generic cards that people will just throw away. I would have opted to print these on clear plastic if I could afford it.

Changes
- Made fonts smaller
- Converted to CMYK and made appropriate adjustments
- Made grid boxes smaller
- Shrunk logo down a little

Unless there is something critically wrong, they're going to press on monday. Thank you everyone for your comments. This community is a great place to recieve constructive critism and I've learned a lot.

- JoshuaTree

How is it going to be printed?

If it is Litho, it won't cost twice as much as the stock and wash up costs will already have been paid in the original quote, Also it might not need extra plates (and film if applicable) if it is laid up W+T.

Josh you said: I did that on purpose particularly because I do some business with stubborn politicians who don't like to look for their glasses. (I'm sorry if I've offended any politicians here.)

The above quote is my main concern though...

If the card is to get work from this target group, I feel that the direction is way off.