Post Card

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 18:53.

Critique

I am awaiting the arrival of a client who is running pretty late, so I thought I would show ya what I was working on this morning.

This is a post card for a client of mine who sells window treatments in Central California.

*Edit: I have attached a version with the wall coloring on the back photo changed to better suit the overall scheme. (Home Show Card Back 2.jpg) The color still needs a bit of tweaking, but this is the initial proof sent to client.

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One image might work better than three

Submitted by natobasso on Wed, 2008-03-12 18:55.

Hey, it looks great! I wonder, though, why not just use one image? The one bottom right is pretty dramatic, and it really doesn't go with the other two; why not just use it?

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design

They need to show a variety

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:33.

They need to show a variety of different products. Its one of those situations like "put these three photos on the front with the logo, this one on the back with this information"... etc.

The photos are professionally taken shots that are supplied by their vendors, so there is a limit to the options.

This is the third or fourth in a series of handouts and mailers.

On this one, I am not a fan of the way the blue in the photo on the back looks in comparison to the overall color scheme. I can't change the photo, because they need to feature that particular product, and the vendor only supplied one photo for it. I think I am going to change the color of the walls to better fit the piece. Just don't have time right now. I will post it though when done.

This such a common trap to

Submitted by natobasso on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:42.

This such a common trap to fall into -- clients want to 'say everything' about their business on one card, one ad, one postcard. The thing is I feel that one image says much more than three smaller images can. To have more is just overkill. All three shots are great, but I don't think you need to use them all.

The more shots there are the less of the product you can actually see. And most of the shots are room shots which further detracts from the product's visibility on this piece.

Besides, the two photos go together, but the bottom right is out of place. At least remove that one so the card makes sense. Right now it's jarring to my eye and distracts from the company logo.

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design

I forgot to mention that I

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 20:45.

I forgot to mention that I have used the bottom right photo by itself on another job. I believe I used it for a magazine ad I did for them that was more of a brand-building piece. Not so defined on what they needed to show. It is a really nice photo, very colorful and rich.

Nice pictures, i would

Submitted by dsauna on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:43.

Nice pictures, i would suggest using the logo with no background on top of one of the pictures (the one on the left would be great, because of the white) and fill out the space at the bottom.

Great job

Agreed. ---- Powerpoint is

Submitted by natobasso on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:45.

Agreed.

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design

I tried that in previous

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 20:31.

I tried that in previous versions. It didn't work out.

why all the italics?

Submitted by gwells on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:44.

italics are more difficult to read and generally used for emphasis (like bold). and some is bold italic. even the phone number is bold italic. and has a white stroke on it (not sure why, the burgundy on the light beige stands out w/o the stroke). seems unnecessary. have you tried it with regular roman and bold faces?

be careful with the thin white stroke around the outside. make sure your printer is sure he can trim accurately enough to not have them be uneven at all. when they're that small, being off just a little bit is noticeable.

The post card is 8.5" x

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 20:33.

The post card is 8.5" x 5.5", full bleed.

I cropped out the bleed and added the border to define the piece for the showcase here.

didn't see the back

Submitted by dsauna on Wed, 2008-03-12 19:48.

I agree with gwells about the italics. Also I would get rid of all of the unnecessary effects in there. (Shadows, Strokes, Glows, etc.)

To me this is a good example

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 21:13.

To me this is a good example of the realities of the design business. What I mean by that is that in this piece, like most others, I have to come to a middle ground with my client.

All of your observations so far are on point, and have been discussed in the past with my client. They want a drop shadow, italics and outlines, so I try to make them as subtle and complimentary as I can. They need to use X,Y and Z photos, I try to do my best to make this 10 pounds of sh*t look damn sexy in that 5 pound bag.

All in all, this is a good client who brings all of his work to me and trusts me to do my thing. We have a good working relationship and while I will put my foot down on things that are ridiculous, I offset that by letting the subtle details go his way. That is especially true for some of the "minor" details that are probably only noticed by our colleagues in design and not the general public.

I don't mean to defensive about my design, because your points are truly valid. While some of the things I have designed for this company are in my portfolio, this one won't be. Just an example of the day-to-day work that feeds the kids and buys my Jack Daniels.

Mmmmm. Jack Daniels.

That's just it, though. We

Submitted by natobasso on Wed, 2008-03-12 21:54.

That's just it, though. We designers have a responsibility to educate our clients and guide them to the best way to communicate their message. Unfortunately, you're right, they oftentimes don't listen to our advice and pay us anyway.

It's a screwy world, ain't it!

Don't get me wrong, with the parameters you've done a fantastic job.

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Powerpoint is not a design application
flikWORLD Design

Control, Control, Control

Submitted by spotteddick on Wed, 2008-03-12 22:42.

Nato, cool out. You don't have to control everyone. Other people, even non-designers have thier own ideas. Grin and bear it, collect your money, control your bank account. That's the real education $$$.

fair enough and accurate

Submitted by gwells on Wed, 2008-03-12 21:59.

we all have work that you just sometimes have to say, "fine, i'll do it your way," even if you know it's not best. it's a "pick your battles" thing.

Exactly. The thing is, you

Submitted by mbennett2 on Wed, 2008-03-12 22:38.

Exactly. The thing is, you can't just cram good design down their throats.

Just three years ago, this company was the type who would print out a poorly designed WORD document onto goldenrod stock at Kinko's, then stuff it in a plastic bag, weigh it down with rocks and throw it on your driveway (literally). Now they have a unified design and a clear idea of where they are going, but that has taken a lot of education on my part.

I think you will always find companies in different stages of development and with different levels of design savvy. The most important thing is to teach them the value of good design in general, and the easiest way to do that is when you clearly help them with their bottom line profits. Money is the most eloquent speaker I know.

Nice photoshop work on the

Submitted by 3dogmama on Wed, 2008-03-12 22:50.

Nice photoshop work on the walls--good suggestion for the change. It's clean and you did well with the direction you were given.

And yes, this is the real world in which you need to feed, clothe, and put a roof over the heads of your children. You can rock the boat, but don't sink the damn thing.

ttfn!
3dogmama