The color scheme is appropriatel serious. The image (derived from the three partner's love for sailing) I like a lot. However, without reading your description, how do I know they are a lawfirm? The sailing apeals to the partners, but what do you want it to convey to the client? Are these mailings for potential clients? If so, what would encourage them to keep the contact information should they need a law firm? Do they know what the law firm specializes in?

The work is visually pleasing. I am attracted to the color scheme, form, and over all design. However, I do not know if it conveys a certain message.

lorenza

the logo needs fixing as per my comments on the other thread. the design is nice, the execution is nice.

i'm not a fan of odd sized business cards personally. the only thing i'd really say it make sure it's not longer then normal ones. i know ALOT of people throw out the cards that stick out longer then normal, especially if they don't fit in a business card holder. the fact that it's narrower then normal isn't a problem.

i like the envelopes, the solid blue back REALLY looks sharp. the letterhead with a solid color however might be a problem. it could be used for things like full size enveloppes, but i'd personally move away from the letterhead having a solid back color.

back to the enveloppes, you look like you've moved the address too low, there are US standards as to placement of information. if you search this site i think Natobasso has even posted a link, or the image itself, about the USPS standards for that kind of stuff. from the looks of it you have it moved off to avoid overlapping the faded logo, i'd let it go over the logo seeing as it's faded anyways.

lastly, the logo, you're brief was to avoid gavels, balances and anything stereotypically law related. Seeing as that's the brief, you've done well on it. the fact that this doesn't scream "i'm a law firm" is fine.. sounds like they'll just have to work on that for the beginning and then base the rest of their business on referals. Alot of good firms in ALOT of industries do that. that's they're fight to deal with, you've dealt with your requirements nicely...

all in all, really nice work, just needs some minor fixing. looks really good!

keep us posted on the changes.
____________________________________________
Architectural Technician - Multimedia Designer
www.ArchMedia.us

Seen with the proposed logo in use, it looks like one of those "turn the page" corners--to avoid this, I'd take care in how you trim the sail. Colour wise--the blue is strong enough, but the text is washed out. The solid backs on the envelope and letterhead are sharp looking. However, you will have to go with a fairly heavy stock to avoid bleed-through on the letterhead (ensure that it's laser compatible); and for the envelope, you are probably looking at producing a special print item--but this you will have to verify with your printer.

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

I'm not sure if this is for a real customer or not, but you might want to consider any budget constraints. All of these pieces of identity are going to be ridiculously expensive. That envelope is going to be very very pricey.

This project reminds me of the things i designed in college - no budget involved. I mean, the fact that the letterhead has to be printed on a larger sheet, and cut out is just so wasteful. I can't even imagine the amount of paper that's going to be thrown in the trash.

That being said, from what i can see, you need a lot more space between the edge of your paper and type. I can't see anything up close like font styles or anything. I'm not a fan of the logo, it looks like boring and from what i can tell the placement of the type is just an afterthought. I understand your customer doesn't want "propaganda," but it should kind of have that law firm feel. Just seems like you haven't quite hit the nail on the head for me

life is great; without it, you'd be dead.

Well,

1. The business card is smaller than standard, 3 x 1.5
2. I have a printer that does a really good job printing letterhead with full-color backs, so thats no big deal.
3. I've got a vendor in China that can do the specially sized envelopes at a nice quality. The same printer that does the letterhead will do the envelopes.
4. Not sure why you'd ask if it were for a real customer or not since it says in the description it was for a law firm which already has a web presence. I don't do spec work, nor do I do creative without a defined budget (from owning an award winning design firm 101).
5. The letterhead actually doesn't have to be printed on a larger sheet. It is sized smaller than a standard page which will allow for the full-color back.
6. Yeah, I put artwork too close to the edge -- its a bad habit I need to get out of.
7. What exactly is the "law firm feel"? A gavel & scales of justice, or blind justice? Thats where I take issue with people who feel that everything should resemble the market they operate in. How... original.

Thanks to all those who provided useful comments. I'll definitely talk the client out of the drop shadow and review USPS guidelines about the address area.

One thing you may wish to add is a tagline:

"Some lawyers win cases.
Well, Norris Cantu!"

Couldn't resist. ;)

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

it wasn't my comment, but maybe "law firm feel" isn't the right angle. maybe it's more "anti-law firm feel." it does kind of seem like anything but a law firm. it's much... for lack of a better word... "softer" than i would think a law firm would look. i don't know for sure if that's a problem, only you and the client can come to that conclusion, but i do think it's worth exploring with them, even if it's just so they don't have regrets down the line because nobody addressed it.

"If you've been a naughtical boy, you'd best pay Norris Cantu a visit."

or...

"Norris Cantu. We'll keep you out of trouble, even if it means sailing you halfway across the world."

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa

A fundamental issue exists with your design concept. To repeat my subject question, why should I pay my lawyer to go sailing? I would rather pay him (or her) to win cases for me. How does this collateral set convey that message to me? It only tells me that my lawyer loves to go sailing -- apparently more than s/he loves being a lawyer. This is frankly not the lawyer I want representing me.

A technical issue exists with your smaller letterhead concept that could indeed result in a lot of waste. You say the bleed isn't an issue b/c it's so much smaller than standard 8.5 x 11 letterhead. But although your finished size might accommodate cutting off the bleed width (1/8 inch at least) all around, it might not be smaller enough to give the printer enough material to deal with when cutting. It depends on how the cutter works, how sharp they keep the blades, etc. Ask him about this. An option would be to have a several-up die made to punch x-number of letterheads out of a large parent sheet, but wow, man, that's so expensive. OH WAIT A MINUTE! You'll have to do dies anyway b/c of the rounded corners. Good grief! Do Texans really enjoy throwing away money? I thought that was a stereotype, but gosh, maybe it's well-founded.

If you have a guy in China who prints odd-sized envelopes, great, but do you realize that your design has to be printed first, then die cut, then folded and glued? Is he doing all that for you? Also, be aware that many places in China come and go at the drop of a hat. Or the drop of a prison door, or whatever. What's your client going to do for reprints if your China connection goes belly up? Also, have you seen full-back bleeding work done by this printer on letterhead stock? Without significant drying time, which cheap shops are usually loath to give you, you'll get ghosting on the plain(er) sides. Also, what stock does this Chinese printer keep on the floor? Is it the good stuff that you know and love? And will the answer be the same next year?

Mara