Free Graphic Design

[joeactor]

Has anyone ever used this?  http://www.inkscape.org/  It's an open source vector editor.  I figured out how to use the pen tool pretty well in Illustrator but was trying to find a replacement till I can afford to buy Illustrator.  Below is what I did with Illustrator....potential business card design (not sure if I like it yet).

Hmmm... InkScape?  Nope, haven't used that, but I'll have to check it out.  Love open source.

Card's kinda cool.  A bit cartoony, but subtle.

[Whitney]

Card's kinda cool.  A bit cartoony, but subtle.

Ya, I'm trying to decide if I went too far towards the artsy side with it.  I just don't want to have a boring business card.

Maybe I'll go ultra modern and have a card that says "whitney" on a solid color background with my info going up one of the sides or on the back.

I've been very indecisive lately...

[curiosityandthecat]

Maybe I'll go ultra modern and have a card that says "whitney" on a solid color background with my info going up one of the sides or on the back.

I've been very indecisive lately...

Maybe you should integrate that indecisiveness into the design.  

[Whitney]

Ok...I think the card looks better now.  I reversed it and used stronger colors.

[joeactor]

Snazzy card - like the quote too...

I've used overnightprints.com for printing before.  Good prices and you can upload your designs.

[Phillysoul11]

Ok...I think the card looks better now.  I reversed it and used stronger colors.

very nice! The quote is a great touch.

I started one a few hours ago, not sure if I will ever need to use it but they're fun to make :]


Oh, and inkscape is an excellent open source vector based editor.

[Whitney]

Joe, I updated your logo idea.

[Whitney]

Ok...I think the card looks better now.  I reversed it and used stronger colors.

very nice! The quote is a great touch.

I started one a few hours ago, not sure if I will ever need to use it but they're fun to make :]
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/349 ... 10a345.jpg

Oh, and inkscape is an excellent open source vector based editor.

I like the font on your name, is that something you created on your own?

Now that I have been using Illustrator I want to buy it...I'll have to give inkscape a try first since Illustrator is expensive.

[joeactor]

Joe, I updated your logo idea.

Hmmm...

I really like the way the "J" and "A" are coming along, but the waves aren't quite right.

Kinda look like they're part of the "A", and make it an "M".

Also, maybe the "waves" could look like they're coming from the "A"
I think you had it that way before, but facing the other way.

(yeah, I'm making no sense!)

Ok, how about a picture:

J A )))

--> the waves grow larger as they move right -->

Thanks for all the hard work ;-)
JoeActor

p.s. anybody else wanna pitch in an opinion?

[quizlixx]

hmm, i didn't realize we had so much graphic design talent in the HAF.  

[Whitney]

Ok, how about a picture:

J A )))

--> the waves grow larger as they move right -->

gotcha...for some reason I had thought you wanted them to go to the left.  I agree it would work better on the right.  do you like the blue J or should I stick to black and white...or a different color.

[Phillysoul11]

Whitney, I would suggest simplifying your current design a bit, I know it sounds nitpicky but a logo can either reel in or push away potential customers. The logo should be simple but clever enough to make the customer to spend the extra two seconds in admiration of your creation just keep it clean, fresh and clever and your good to go!

I created a mock up to illustrate what I mean.



Your design is coming along very nicely, keep it up!

(oh and the font for the business card design is called moderna, I edited it a bit but you can get it here
http://www.dafont.com/moderna.font)

[Whitney]

Whitney, I would suggest simplifying your current design a bit, I know it sounds nitpicky but a logo can either reel in or push away potential customers. The logo should be simple but clever enough to make the customer to spend the extra two seconds in admiration of your creation just keep it clean, fresh and clever and your good to go!

Oh no, it's not nitpicky, I actually like what you just did better than what I have come up with.  Maybe I've been looking at it for too long because simple is usually my approach.  If you don't mind, I think Joe should use your idea if he likes it.  I will also try applying the same simple yet smart concept to refining what I already had going.  Sometimes I wonder where my head is...in part I think I am purposely trying to not have a 'formula' to how I do design and in doing so end up not doing as well as I could.

[Phillysoul11]

Whitney, I would suggest simplifying your current design a bit, I know it sounds nitpicky but a logo can either reel in or push away potential customers. The logo should be simple but clever enough to make the customer to spend the extra two seconds in admiration of your creation just keep it clean, fresh and clever and your good to go!

Oh no, it's not nitpicky, I actually like what you just did better than what I have come up with.  Maybe I've been looking at it for too long because simple is usually my approach.  If you don't mind, I think Joe should use your idea if he likes it.  I will also try applying the same simple yet smart concept to refining what I already had going.  Sometimes I wonder where my head is...in part I think I am purposely trying to not have a 'formula' to how I do design and in doing so end up not doing as well as I could.

I don't mind, but I don't want your work to go to waste, your design is getting close.  Sometimes when I work on a design for too long I start to over think things, which always leads to crappy artwork. I would suggest taking a step back and thinking about what things you can take out, and what things you need to keep. Once you have your "essential" material you should experiment with its organization. How you want to arrange things, do you want the waves getting larger as the radiate out or getting smaller ect. just little things like that.
You have some great ideas and I like where your logo is going!  :]

[Whitney]

Philly, thanks for your critique, it was very helpful and something I miss from not being in a studio setting.