Looking for opinions on my buisness card and logo.

[XOIIO]

Hey everyone. I've never considered myself skilled at graphic design but I decided I need a proper business card and spent several hours yesterday designing and tweaking it. I already have it being printed but input would be nice.

I already had a bit of deus ex feel to the card, I had the outline and the text placement the same but when I saw this font, I just fell in love and used it and I really like the result. So, here are pictures of the business card front and back. Following that my old logo and new one. I look forward to your opinions.

i42.tinypic.com/169s0va.png
i39.tinypic.com/2vjosg8.png

i41.tinypic.com/2s7cikn.jpg
i43.tinypic.com/sm4wox.jpg

 

[Markverhyden]

Did you do a test print on your own to see what it looked like on paper? That font, while nice looking, is very narrow and may not look correctly printed compared to what you see on the screen. Overall, though, it looks nice. Much better than my graphic arts efforts.

Also a general observation. I've always used white or light background business cards. Having that provides the other person with a way to quickly add a note or two to the card. Can't do that with dark backgrounds.

I also recommend you think about getting your own domain for email. Consumers may not care about a gmail account but businesses do notice that. Or even something like from mail.com, free account, which lets you select domains like consultant.com or techie.com.

 

[XOIIO]

Did you do a test print on your own to see what it looked like on paper? That font, while nice looking, is very narrow and may not look correctly printed compared to what you see on the screen. Overall, though, it looks nice. Much better than my graphic arts efforts.

Also a general observation. I've always used white or light background business cards. Having that provides the other person with a way to quickly add a note or two to the card. Can't do that with dark backgrounds.

I also recommend you think about getting your own domain for email. Consumers may not care about a gmail account but businesses do notice that. Or even something like from mail.com, free account, which lets you select domains like consultant.com or techie.com.

Yeah they did a test print and it worked great, they say they have even printed 5pt on their cards so its no surprise mine worked out well.

I plan on at least hosting an emails erver, I have a HP proliant DL380 at home with two dual core xeons and already host a game server on it for my friends, I just need to be able to afford a domain name. People usually just call though, I've had maybe, three emails total vs over 25 calls

 

[Xander]

It's not a matter of whether they use it; it's a matter of coming across as professional and not some guy getting paid with pizza.

Domains are $1-12. They're more affordable than just about anything else that will give you that professional edge (other than simple hygiene).

Edit: Looking at the images, I don't have much opinion on them but

I already had a bit of deus ex feel to the card, I had the outline and the text placement the same but when I saw this font, I just fell in love and used it and I really like the result.

Don't target your business cards for what you like -- unless your target demographic are gamers. If you're looking to market yourself to residentials and everyday folks (as your Kijiji ad suggests, use a wider brush. (I'm not going to address your "make me an offer" pricing - that belongs in its own thread)

 

[XOIIO]

It's not a matter of whether they use it; it's a matter of coming across as professional and not some guy getting paid with pizza.

Domains are $1-12. They're more affordable than just about anything else that will give you that professional edge (other than simple hygiene).

Edit: Looking at the images, I don't have much opinion on them butDon't target your business cards for what you like -- unless your target demographic are gamers. If you're looking to market yourself to residentials and everyday folks (as your Kijiji ad suggests, use a wider brush. (I'm not going to address your "make me an offer" pricing - that belongs in its own thread)

Well, I'm not targeting it at all, and as far as the pricing this is really just to pay the bills, heck usually people offer me more than I would charge.

Aside from that I don't know if my server will be on all the time, and it seems like a bit of extra hassle to set up an email and my domain name and all that, I might in the future it it becomes more worthwhile but as things stand right now it's not worth it.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Honest opinion is that it is pretty awful.

The QR code is useless.
The font sucks.
The black and orange might be hard to read on a card.
The logo looks outdated.

Don't use a gmail email address. I would recommend against putting an email address on the cards if you aren't going to get your own domain name. It makes you look more professional.

 

[16k_zx81]

Well, I'm not targeting it at all, and as far as the pricing this is really just to pay the bills, heck usually people offer me more than I would charge.

Aside from that I don't know if my server will be on all the time, and it seems like a bit of extra hassle to set up an email and my domain name and all that, I might in the future it it becomes more worthwhile but as things stand right now it's not worth it.

dunno, mate. You're either running a business or a hobby. From what you said there, it sounds like more of a hobby, so probably doesnt matter too much.

If you are planning on this being a livelihood, you might want to take on board what Xander said

FWIW I agree with everything said here. The cards look 'home made' - which is not a good thing. A gmail address is unprofessional, especially in this industry where something as simple as a vanity domain is an expected quantity.

If you want the best possible professional image, the details discussed above do matter.

 

[Martyn]

Poor design, poor colours and just not the right information included. Normally a business's card would have basic, clear information on the card with contact details so, name, business name, position, phone, mobile, email etc. the reverse if you wanted would have the services you offer. Agree with the email is that it's amateur. A domain is probably the lowest cost item in business other than free.

So think about who has your card, someone that doesn't know you and you want that someone to know about you briefly, what you do(position) and how to contact you. Maybe your card won't be handed out by you so there would be no dialogue that there may be when handing it out.

 

[Scott Harrison]

I think less of a non-tech business that can't manage to get their own domain, I can only imagine what people think of an "IT professional" using a gmail/hotmail.

If you're serious about building professional relationships with clients, start developing a brand - that means, get yourself a domain.

Best of luck in the future!