Hi Shelby. I have a few ideas/critiques that might help point you in a direction if you’re stuck. Bear with me, this ended up being longer than I anticipated:
First of all, with something like self-branding or a business card, I wouldn’t use too many colors. Probably no more than 2 + black and white. That line of colored hexagons at the bottom doesn’t really make any sense with the rest of the design. I would also eliminate the RGB/CMYK label under your logo- it’s extraneous, no one needs to know that color value other than you. The only text you should have on the business card is your name, field and contact information. Removing that would also give you more room to enlarge your logo/move it out of that corner.
Speaking of the text, I like the idea that you had of using your logo font in your full name, but I think it’s a better idea in thought than application. I wouldn’t use your logo font on anything other than your actual logo. That gives it more of a visual impact so it can stand out among the rest of your design.
I do like the way the honeycomb pattern works on the front, but I would make the white band a bit thicker, and on the back with all of your information it looks a little strange when you use the white as a bounding box. You could either have the white band across to match the back, or just eliminate it entirely. And watch your bleeds- there are a few places where your logo touches the edge of the design. That should always be avoided unless you’re purposely only showing part of the logo.
Try doing a google image search to brainstorm ideas for your hexagonal pattern if you hit a block. Searching things like “futuristic honeycomb pattern”, “simplistic honeycomb pattern” or “colorful honeycomb pattern” might be helpful to you. The pattern is an interesting concept- I just think you can take it even farther.
Finally, think about your logo: while using your initials is fine, it’s not necessary. Is there anything else that you feel defines you or influences you strongly enough to be your logo? Going back to the hexagon pattern, you could even just use a simple honeycomb with thick outlines as your logo. That could be really cute!
Shelby, I agree with Siobhan and she has give you some good things to think about. I would also like to add a few other suggestions:
1. The strongest use of the honey comb element, in my opinion, is seen at the bottom of the backside of the card. The small units fit together really well, and I can draw some conceptual connections to the process of layout, which is all about "fitting" elements together to make a whole page design. So... I would hold onto what is strong about this design and use it as a starting point as you sit down with paper and pencil to move the design forward, possibly in a very different direction.
2. Fonts - I think you need to reconsider that script font... it looks overly feminine, a bit weak, and not very contemporary. It doesn't represent you, in my opinion. Maybe an unusual and slightly different sans serif?
3. Your initials - I suggest you work with S + B... and leave your middle initial out of it. I wonder if you've tried "touching" these 2 letters, with a bold version of the sans serif I hope you find? I would guess that the letters will still be readable as they merge to form a ligature of your making. Then be BOLD with how you use that element.
I don't want to over load you with too much feedback... so, the most important thing to remember is that a great design comes from your work in the thumbnail and experimental stages. Doing that work, allowing your creativity to flow freely - is the best, and more enjoyable, part of the design process. So - don't restrict yourself to just small changes... enjoy the process and let it take you to unknown territory.
4. Less is more... always a good approach when refining a design. If the design doesn't "need" it... don't include it.
Hi Shelby. I have a few ideas/critiques that might help point you in a direction if you’re stuck. Bear with me, this ended up being longer than I anticipated:
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, with something like self-branding or a business card, I wouldn’t use too many colors. Probably no more than 2 + black and white. That line of colored hexagons at the bottom doesn’t really make any sense with the rest of the design. I would also eliminate the RGB/CMYK label under your logo- it’s extraneous, no one needs to know that color value other than you. The only text you should have on the business card is your name, field and contact information. Removing that would also give you more room to enlarge your logo/move it out of that corner.
Speaking of the text, I like the idea that you had of using your logo font in your full name, but I think it’s a better idea in thought than application. I wouldn’t use your logo font on anything other than your actual logo. That gives it more of a visual impact so it can stand out among the rest of your design.
I do like the way the honeycomb pattern works on the front, but I would make the white band a bit thicker, and on the back with all of your information it looks a little strange when you use the white as a bounding box. You could either have the white band across to match the back, or just eliminate it entirely. And watch your bleeds- there are a few places where your logo touches the edge of the design. That should always be avoided unless you’re purposely only showing part of the logo.
Try doing a google image search to brainstorm ideas for your hexagonal pattern if you hit a block. Searching things like “futuristic honeycomb pattern”, “simplistic honeycomb pattern” or “colorful honeycomb pattern” might be helpful to you. The pattern is an interesting concept- I just think you can take it even farther.
Finally, think about your logo: while using your initials is fine, it’s not necessary. Is there anything else that you feel defines you or influences you strongly enough to be your logo? Going back to the hexagon pattern, you could even just use a simple honeycomb with thick outlines as your logo. That could be really cute!
Shelby,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Siobhan and she has give you some good things to think about. I would also like to add a few other suggestions:
1. The strongest use of the honey comb element, in my opinion, is seen at the bottom of the backside of the card. The small units fit together really well, and I can draw some conceptual connections to the process of layout, which is all about "fitting" elements together to make a whole page design. So... I would hold onto what is strong about this design and use it as a starting point as you sit down with paper and pencil to move the design forward, possibly in a very different direction.
2. Fonts - I think you need to reconsider that script font... it looks overly feminine, a bit weak, and not very contemporary. It doesn't represent you, in my opinion. Maybe an unusual and slightly different sans serif?
3. Your initials - I suggest you work with S + B... and leave your middle initial out of it. I wonder if you've tried "touching" these 2 letters, with a bold version of the sans serif I hope you find? I would guess that the letters will still be readable as they merge to form a ligature of your making. Then be BOLD with how you use that element.
I don't want to over load you with too much feedback... so, the most important thing to remember is that a great design comes from your work in the thumbnail and experimental stages. Doing that work, allowing your creativity to flow freely - is the best, and more enjoyable, part of the design process. So - don't restrict yourself to just small changes... enjoy the process and let it take you to unknown territory.
4. Less is more... always a good approach when refining a design. If the design doesn't "need" it... don't include it.