Business Card Example, Identitiy Thoughts

MikeWilkinson

MikeWilkinson

Veteran
So I'm planning an identity and website re-design around the new years time.

My buddy is a designer and whipped this up as his first draft of my biz card.

biz_card_d1.jpg



I think it's fun, and a cool design. However, I'm not sure it works with my typical clientel. I do a lot of one-day ENG shoots. Interviews, broll, fedex hard drive and get paid. I do a handful of medium-term projects each year, working with small business owners or independent producers on marketing/promotional videos. None of it really gets 'fun', like this card makes me seem. So what do you think?

Feedback on the design theme and suggestions are welcome. (I did not do the design) Also keep in mind I will make it match my website for theme consistency.
 
I live a retro life, so it meets my taste.

Having said that, from a designers point of view I would have some things changed.

1. there is no need for the "www" "Wilkinson.com" is enough.
2. use a capital first letter in your webadress. Lowercase only is for nerds.
3. show your web address only once
4. address would be nice
5. don´t use 2 fonts in Wilkinsonvisual.com on the front
6. use the script font only for the "headline" the other font for everything else
7. I would not use that red frame on the second side again.

Hope that helps, Frank
 
Thanks Frank.

For my address– I'm renting a house right now, and don't see myself staying there for more than a year. I do have a home editing system but by no means a studio... also it's not in a major city. Do you still think having my address is important?
 
Absolute.
I would not do business wih someone who is "hiding" his address.

I´m living in a small town too, and my editing room is in my appartment.

It´s so small and stacked with monitors and computers wall to wall, that I would not even think of, inviting a customer there.

But not having a adress would be a mayor dealbreaker for many customers over here- but maybe that´s just a german thing.

Frank

Oh, and maybe you could write your webaddress like that: WilkinsonVisual.com - makes it more readable.
 
Also that hand writing style font for the web address is hard to read, especially with the yellow on black. To me, it just looks like a row of indistinguishable squiggles...
 
That's true, I find it hard to read as well.

To me it's kind of funny, when it says "Quality video production" and shows some crappy old device. It's like saying, "We care about safety!" with a picture of a guy not wearing a seatbelt. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be ironic or not.
 
But not having a adress would be a mayor dealbreaker for many customers over here- but maybe that´s just a german thing.
Click to expand...

I don't think the address is necessary at all, especially if you're willing to travel anywhere the client wants to send you. I don't have my address on my business card because I work out of my apartment (which may change in a year when the lease is up). Also, now with Google's streetview on their maps, if you put your address on there anyone can GoogleMap it and see that it's just an apartment.

I like the design, but I would ditch the picture. It makes it seem more of an old established company, like a 8mm to DVD transfer company or something. Replace the picture and cursive writing with something more new looking and you'd have a really nice looking card.

I'd also ditch the "quality video production" and make it something more specific that describes you. Like if you are a one man ENG crew something like "Fast, Mobile Video Production" or whatever suits your company. The word "quality" is just too generic.
 
I don't have my address on my card. I get complements all the time on its design and print quality. I have my name, number email and website.

I like the pop art vintage vibe. However. I really think that the Apple certification cheapens it a bit. If you were a teacher or trainer it would be relevant. I just feels like it is trying validate your skill level. SEE HERE I AM CERTIFIED. Especially if you are primarily a shooter. Your NLE choice and motion graphics package are irrelevant. Certifications belong on resumes, not cards.

If this design is a bit out-of-the-box for your clients THEN KEEP IT. Getting noticed is step one.

Drop the certification logo. Change the script font. Keep the theme of the design.

Thanks
 
Do you guys think there's anything wrong with just a white business card with all relevant information and my company's logo? That's the route I'm going for now because I need business cards printed badly and I don't mind simple and professional. I know most filmmakers have flashier business cards, but for me anyway, I have a lot of business cards from other people and it's not much about the business card as long as it looks generally good, it's just about what I might be able to use this person for crew-wise or whatever, like if I talked to them and they were a good contact I could care less if they had a simple or complex business card, I just want their e-mail or phone number so I can get in touch! haha.

But I don't know, maybe I'm off base, maybe a really fancy business card is a big deal.
 
Nothing wrong with white.

Springer & Jacoby, one of the bigest advertising agencys over here, got nothing but plain white, not even a logo.

Frank
 
Postmaster said:
Absolute.
I would not do business wih someone who is "hiding" his address.

I´m living in a small town too, and my editing room is in my appartment.

It´s so small and stacked with monitors and computers wall to wall, that I would not even think of, inviting a customer there.

But not having a adress would be a mayor dealbreaker for many customers over here- but maybe that´s just a german thing.

Frank

Oh, and maybe you could write your webaddress like that: WilkinsonVisual.com - makes it more readable.
Click to expand...

Personally, I'd say leave the address off. Web address, email, and phone contacts are more than sufficient. As for the design, it looks awesome, with only one potential drawback... the retro look is great but could perhaps confuse people as to what gear you use? Yes having apple certified on there is strong, but if people see old equipment, they think old equipment. But then you're talking complete redesign, so I dunno. Also, I think it's fine to have your website in lower-case, nerd stigma aside. If you type an address in your browser and go to it, are there capitals? No.
My other thought might be to keep information on one side, and the design on the other. Stylize them similarly, just a design with no text on one side forces them to turn it over and see all the info, not just glancing at a website with a picture next to it. Just some thoughts... best of luck!
 
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