New Business Card Design - Thoughts Needed

[Zenn_Darkfire]

So I'm updating my business card and I want your guys input.

Here is my current one

Here is my new one (concept)

My website is still being built so for obvious reasons that link won't work... but what do you guys think?

 

[blakehensley]

I like the original better. I would incorporate the original and the new one into a whole new one. For example, get rid of the facebook, youtube, and twitter on your new card. I think that this just cluttering up the card. I think that it is unneeded. If you are having a website built, then those links would probably be better fitted there. If I were you, I would also stick with how it says, "Just Joshin Magic" on the new card. I like it a lot better than on the original. So really, I say keep the title, and lose the facebook, etc. links.

But that is just my two cents.

Blake.

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking I might put those links on the back of the card so it doesn't clutter it up that most. I was using this card as inspiration for my own

Since I'm really involved in both Twitter and YouTube thats why I wanted to include them (when I'm networking with other YouTubers)

Thanks!

 

[Luis Vega]

To be honest...the card you took as inspiration it´s horrible..I advice you to take a trip to the web and search bussiness card design...I am sure you can find better inspirations...

btw...here is my card, as you can see..I also used the links in the back...

good luck and have a nice day!!

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

I do like the look of the links a lot better... thanks! Now I just need to find the right placement so that I can still use the out to lunch principle

 

[RickEverhart]

Josh..I am going to be honest and say it doesn't look very professional at all. You need something "clean" looking. Your second one is very cluttery / busy looking. Your logo even though it represents you, looks amateur. The quote on the front being like David Blaine seems cheesy to me as well even though it is huge props to you that you have skills. I know you are good because I've seen your videos so I'm not knockin that. I just hate it when people refer to my magic as...that was like Criss Angel or David Blaine...

These are just my thoughts and opinions coming from a 33 year old so please do not take offense. I don't have a pic off my business card and I'm in Hilton Head right now so I will have to post one next week for you.

You could maybe have someone come up with a JJM logo for Just Joshin Magic or something instead of the cartoon looking head.

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Josh..I am going to be honest and say it doesn't look very professional at all. You need something "clean" looking. Your second one is very cluttery / busy looking. Your logo even though it represents you, looks amateur. The quote on the front being like David Blaine seems cheesy to me as well even though it is huge props to you that you have skills. I know you are good because I've seen your videos so I'm not knockin that. I just hate it when people refer to my magic as...that was like Criss Angel or David Blaine...

These are just my thoughts and opinions coming from a 33 year old so please do not take offense. I don't have a pic off my business card and I'm in Hilton Head right now so I will have to post one next week for you.

You could maybe have someone come up with a JJM logo for Just Joshin Magic or something instead of the cartoon looking head.

I do appreciate your feedback... I do agree that the front does look cluttered which is why I am messing around with the info going on the back. What about my logo seems amateur exactly? I respect your opinion I just know that my logo has been working for me, because it has gotten a few gigs. I've actually gotten some comments from clients saying they really liked the cartoon because it made my card a bit diff. Right now the majority of my gigs are either walk around or children's shows, and after every show I have done so far, at least one parent has commented on the fact that they like the cartoon because it was very kid friendly.

I can see how you think the quote comes off as cheesy as you are not a fan of the comparison of magic and Blaine/Angel, however personally I like it as its a pretty strong quote coming from a pretty impressive source. Now that might just be a difference of age type of thing, so I think I will wait until I get a few more thoughts on that quote before I make that decision on if I should keep it or not. Like I said I rather like it, but I am open to others thoughts as well.

I might make an alternative logo as well, though I may just update the cartoon instead. I have a better drawing I've done since then that I like a bit better. I will post that later to get your thoughts.

I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Benji Bruce]

Josh,

You should take a look at the video I made on "how to make business cards"...it goes into detail about how to make them and you want to use both sides.

http://paidtoperform.blogspot.com/2011/04/business-cards.html

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Josh,

You should take a look at the video I made on "how to make business cards"...it goes into detail about how to make them and you want to use both sides.

http://paidtoperform.blogspot.com/2011/04/business-cards.html

Haha thank Benji I was just about to message you on facebook lol

 

[RickEverhart]

Benji, thanks for posting that info. Very informational and I took some good ideas from it.

Josh, I agree with what some of your parents said, your cartoon head does a very nice job of representing you to as a "kids" performer as I do plenty of kid birthday parties as well...

The thing I would be worried of is how does that look to corporate marketing or wedding reception clients? Will they take you seriously or not? I'm not so sure. I think we are very similar. I do a ton of kids shows and then I also book a lot of strolling events for adults and corporate picnics and such.

I agree that your quote does come from an outstanding person, maybe it would fit better on the back. I'd like to see how your card changes as you move forward. Keep me posted and again, please don't think I'm harping on you....just my opinion.

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Benji, thanks for posting that info. Very informational and I took some good ideas from it.

Josh, I agree with what some of your parents said, your cartoon head does a very nice job of representing you to as a "kids" performer as I do plenty of kid birthday parties as well...

The thing I would be worried of is how does that look to corporate marketing or wedding reception clients? Will they take you seriously or not? I'm not so sure. I think we are very similar. I do a ton of kids shows and then I also book a lot of strolling events for adults and corporate picnics and such.

I agree that your quote does come from an outstanding person, maybe it would fit better on the back. I'd like to see how your card changes as you move forward. Keep me posted and again, please don't think I'm harping on you....just my opinion.

Ahh I can see your point. The type of strolling gigs I do are for charity fundraisers, camps, and fairs (hopefully some restaurants as well soon) Right now I don't do any weddings or corporate events, so all of my gigs are family friendly type of shows. I prob should have mentioned that from the get go lol

I'll try and post and updated card, both front and back, this weekend. Thanks again for your input! =]

 

[chriswiehl]

i agree with rever. i feel the cartoon looks like someone made it on ms paint. maybe if you could get a better looking cartoon then that might be better. also what is with that huge email address, magicmayhemandsuperlongemailaddress@gmail.com thats kinda crazy to remember. just use your name@gmail or better yet try to get an email for your webpage so like magic@justjoshin.com that would be the best. you want to look professional no matter really what gigs you do. i do family events and corporate things once in a while, and my card shows what i want it to show. a professional all around magician. it doesnt scream birthday parties, so corporate doesnt think im a kid magician (and weddings) but when people see my magic and ask if i do kid parties, i can say yea, and give them my card and they wont be like, your card looks to serious for my kids party, because im selling my magic, not my card. if you could send that design to a graphic artist and have them update it that would be the best choice. also maybe you can get a qr code on there. its a cool way to link people to your sites
http://jumpscan.com/index.php is a neat page u can have that looks good on mobile phones (for more important clients who have smart phones). also here is a neat thing http://www.veryimportantpixels.com/ make a pixel version of yourself. that might look neat.
also check out https://about.me/ that might be a nice place to just have for links to all your things.

this can help cut down on clutter, having one main page that can get everyone to everywhere else they need to go.

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

i agree with rever. i feel the cartoon looks like someone made it on ms paint. maybe if you could get a better looking cartoon then that might be better. also what is with that huge email address, magicmayhemandsuperlongemailaddress@gmail.com thats kinda crazy to remember. just use your name@gmail or better yet try to get an email for your webpage so like magic@justjoshin.com that would be the best. you want to look professional no matter really what gigs you do. i do family events and corporate things once in a while, and my card shows what i want it to show. a professional all around magician. it doesnt scream birthday parties, so corporate doesnt think im a kid magician (and weddings) but when people see my magic and ask if i do kid parties, i can say yea, and give them my card and they wont be like, your card looks to serious for my kids party, because im selling my magic, not my card. if you could send that design to a graphic artist and have them update it that would be the best choice. also maybe you can get a qr code on there. its a cool way to link people to your sites
http://jumpscan.com/index.php is a neat page u can have that looks good on mobile phones (for more important clients who have smart phones). also here is a neat thing http://www.veryimportantpixels.com/ make a pixel version of yourself. that might look neat.
also check out https://about.me/ that might be a nice place to just have for links to all your things.

this can help cut down on clutter, having one main page that can get everyone to everywhere else they need to go.

I think you MAY have looked at the wrong card. My current email is not that long ass e-mail anymore. Also I will post an update of the cartoon this weekend

Thanks!

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Ok guys heres my new concept. I'm working on a new Cartoon head (I've been working on this one for a while) So once I clean it up in Photoshop I'll post it here... thoughts?

 

[chriswiehl]

i like the color better. how about instead of putting your youtube, twitter and facebook on the back, why not just link them on your webpage? it would make it easier for someone to get all your info from one place. on my card its my name, magician email and number. when i have my site up it'll be my site with all my links.

 

[blakehensley]

I have a question.

What are you making your business card on? A website?

 

[formula]

If you need inspiration look here http://www.lovebusinesscards.com/ there's a couple magic ones on there but it's a gallery for all business cards.

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

i like the color better. how about instead of putting your youtube, twitter and facebook on the back, why not just link them on your webpage? it would make it easier for someone to get all your info from one place. on my card its my name, magician email and number. when i have my site up it'll be my site with all my links.

The reason is that in addition to using my card to get gigs, I am also involved with the YouTube community. When I go to meet ups and conventions this will make it easier for them. Also I've had the opportunity to perform for a few celebs recently and they often want to watch the video on YouTube. This looks a lot more professional than simply writing it on the back

Blake - I'm designing them myself in Photoshop and then printing them through Vistaprint.com

Formula - thanks!

 

[limpbiz2789]

As a graphic designer and 3d artist, I hate to say this but the design is terrible. Think outside of the box my friend. Your "new concept" is pretty much the same as the first with a sleight variation to it. When creating a business card, try to create something no ones done before, be unique...be yourself.

Here is one I created tonight, took a few hours but the final product came out better then what I saw in my head.
This design was created entirely from scratch using Photoshop and Maya.
I kept it very short and to the point. No need to add 20 links for people to view your work. If you hand our your business card and you stand out from that along...people will call to either see your work or ask you to work for them. Simple as that.

Your business card represents yourself. If it looks like your card was created in paint, well then what is the person going to think out your profession? (in this case a magician...ie. is it a kids show or for adults?? is it cheesy or professional etc etc)

If anything you can always higher a person to create the cards for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help when it comes to a field your not experienced in.

Any questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[RickEverhart]

Zenn...that is what I was going to recommend. Just pay someone to create a nice one for you that is a graphic artist. That is what I did and I love it. Luckily it only ran me $30.00 for the template and I can alter it on my own to make variations / changes. It was some one here and for the life of me I cannot remember who I bought it off of.