Ninjette.org Business card- need design

[ninja_sleeper]

Originally Posted by alex.s

Carrie... let me guess... cloud noise + difference filter?

Render lava and some bump mapping

[alex.s]

Ah! so close.

[noche_caliente]

Originally Posted by Snake

There is allready several posts with designs. I'll see if I can find them.

Originally Posted by Snake

Here are the two posts:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...5&postcount=52

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...7&postcount=53

I think you were just talking to yourself there

[Snake]

Yes I know. There is allready something there that can be built on yet people want to re-invent the wheel. lol

[CThunder-blue]

Originally Posted by Snake

Yes I know. There is allready something there that can be built on yet people want to re-invent the wheel. lol

It doesn't really hurt to get more/newer ideas does it?

[Live2ride]

When making a business card you need to make it simple, to the point and make the potential customer / member want to explore the opportunity. The main determining factor in this is your target market; many of the members on this forum vary greatly in age and maturity making it harder to create a business card tailored to a certain age group. It seems to me that the common factor amongst most ninjette owners is the willingness to ride a practical,economical and fun motorcycle in a responsible way. That's the way you have to tailor the business card. In other words, if I saw a business card with text and a filter or 2 thrown in I would toss it asap (no offense). Though that could be because I will be graduating with a bachelor's in graphic designing.

Considering the bleeding cowboys font is on our forums banner I feel like it should be used on the business card as the easiest way to identify the site with the ninjette community. Here's a rough draft I came up with, I feel like it's simple and would promote enough interest for the rider to peruse the forums and join if they feel it's worth it (which it is of course ).

[ninja_sleeper]

Originally Posted by Live2ride

When making a business card you need to make it simple, to the point and make the potential customer / member want to explore the opportunity. The main determining factor in this is your target market; many of the members on this forum vary greatly in age and maturity making it harder to create a business card tailored to a certain age group. It seems to me that the common factor amongst most ninjette owners is the willingness to ride a practical,economical and fun motorcycle in a responsible way. That's the way you have to tailor the business card. In other words, if I saw a business card with text and a filter or 2 thrown in I would toss it asap (no offense). Though that could be because I will be graduating with a bachelor's in graphic designing.

Considering the bleeding cowboys font is on our forums banner I feel like it should be used on the business card as the easiest way to identify the site with the ninjette community. Here's a rough draft I came up with, I feel like it's simple and would promote enough interest for the rider to peruse the forums and join if they feel it's worth it (which it is of course ).

I agree with this totally. Great design by the way. What program did you use?

I am going to kick some more stuff around on gimp a little later tonight or tomorrow, Ill be sure to share it to see what you all think.

I like this collaboration, though. It's kicking ASS.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

It doesn't really hurt to get more/newer ideas does it?

You're right no it doesn't. Variety is the spice of life.

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by ninja_sleeper

I agree with this totally. Great design by the way. What program did you use?

I am going to kick some more stuff around on gimp a little later tonight or tomorrow, Ill be sure to share it to see what you all think.

I like this collaboration, though. It's kicking ASS.

I used photoshop. I doubt there will ever be a single card that everyone will agree on but the more drafts we come up with, the more likely it is.

[Live2ride]

update: I felt like the background of the previous design was too bland and open so heres what I did.

[Gurk]

Hope you like!
Front and back. 2 card ideas.
font is the exact same font Kawasaki uses. (Nimbus Sans black. Yes you heard it right. Nimbus like in the Harry Potter )
the silhouette at the back of "ninjette.org" is the headlight of a 250r incase it's not clear at first look.
the diagonal lines and the type could be a little embossed and glossy while rest of the card is silk smooth and matte.
sorry graphic designer in me geeking out

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by Gurk

Hope you like!
Front and back. 2 card ideas.
font is the exact same font Kawasaki uses. (Nimbus Sans black. Yes you heard it right. Nimbus like in the Harry Potter )
the silhouette at the back of "ninjette.org" is the headlight of a 250r incase it's not clear at first look.
the diagonal lines and the type could be a little embossed and glossy while rest of the card is silk smooth and matte.
sorry graphic designer in me geeking out

I really like this concept. Silly me, I forgot one of the most important properties of graphic designing; K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid). The simplicity of your cards makes them very powerful. The saying "Your 250 has a new home" doesn't appeal to me though; the first thing I thought of was someone stealing my bike. I feel like the statement needs to be directed at the rider more so than the bike if you know what I mean.

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by Live2ride

I really like this concept. Silly me, I forgot one of the most important properties of graphic designing; K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid). The simplicity of your cards makes them very powerful. The saying "Your 250 has a new home" doesn't appeal to me though; the first thing I thought of was someone stealing my bike. I feel like the statement needs to be directed at the rider more so than the bike if you know what I mean.

Haha yeah I'm open to suggestions. We can find another tag line.
Thanks for the kind words!

[ninja_sleeper]

Gurks design FTW

[Gurk]

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by Gurk

Haha yeah I'm open to suggestions. We can find another tag line.
Thanks for the kind words!

I hope others chime in on this soon but I was thinking the tag line needs to be very brief like the one you used. Maybe something like "redefine your 250".

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by Live2ride

I hope others chime in on this soon but I was thinking the tag line needs to be very brief like the one you used. Maybe something like "redefine your 250".

yeah whatever it is, i think it'd look best if we keep it at one line length

[Trailerboy531]

How about "we're better"

or maybe

"a place for your ninja"

[ninja_sleeper]

I like Gurks design 100% even the one liner on the back. It's perfect.

[CThunder-blue]

The only thing is that I would suggest keeping in theme with the ninjette.org theme, which is to say it's a community. I think we all know that the forum is for a 250, what makes it distinct/unique is the welcoming friendly atmosphere that you rarely find elsewhere. There are people on here who still lurk or actively post even though they've sold their 250 because we're a bunch of cool cats. I'm just saying, less focus on the bike and more on why they should join, yet another forum.

[Gurk]

Thanks for the kind words again

Btw, if my cards are chosen, I can take over the printing process. I can order like 1000 of them at a time and I'd ship them to people who want. I'd only ask that you pay me per card. Same as what I would pay for them ofcourse. Shipping shouldn't be a big deal I might just take care of that.

It's probably around 20 cents per card. It's not too cheap but I just received my personal cards in the mail today and they look pretty good! I get them done in a professional print shop. (aka not Kinko's )

[reaubideux]

I really like Gurk's design, but think it'd add some continuity to use the same font as the site's banner for the "Ninjette.org" side. Definitely agree on trying to convey a sense of community as Tri mentioned, versus just advertising another motorcycle forum.

I've been trying to think of a tagline or something but just can't come up with much. Trying to keep it concise and to the point like Gurk did has proven tough. Best I've come up with so far is:

Forums. Fun. Friends.
Forums. Friends. Community.
Enjoy your 250 even when you're not riding it.


[edit]Also, honestly, before I stumbled across this site when researching Ninja 250s, I had no idea these things were lovingly called "ninjettes"... am I the only one who can admit that if I got a card that just says "Ninjette.org" on it that I'd probably think it's for a girl Ninja-rider's forum? I have no idea how you could even address such an issue on a business card. I'm fond of the moniker, but it's just something I wanted to throw out there.[/edit]

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by reaubideux

I really like Gurk's design, but think it'd add some continuity to use the same font as the site's banner for the "Ninjette.org" side. Definitely agree on trying to convey a sense of community as Tri mentioned, versus just advertising another motorcycle forum.

I've been trying to think of a tagline or something but just can't come up with much. Trying to keep it concise and to the point like Gurk did has proven tough. Best I've come up with so far is:

Forums. Fun. Friends.
Forums. Friends. Community.
Enjoy your 250 even when you're not riding it.

I would go either or rather than having both on one card. Advise against having banner on one and mine on second side. That'd be two different cards and two completely different visual concepts. If banner is more to the point, we could come up with a new card with the banner/existing font concept.

Just my 2 cents

[Gurk]

That said, (ignore the larger black diogonal lines on both sides. I fixed those in original file )

[reaubideux]

Originally Posted by Gurk

I would go either or rather than having both on one card. Advise against having banner on one and mine on second side. That'd be two different cards and two completely different visual concepts. If banner is more to the point, we could come up with a new card with the banner/existing font concept.

Just my 2 cents

Yeah, I know what you're saying. I wasn't implying to have the banner on one side and yours on the other or anything.. I actually have an idea that uses your idea but would instead use the Ninjette banner's font on one side and then the tagline on the other. If I had photoshop on my machine here @ work I could probably whip something up but it's on my home computer.. wonder if I should just sketch it, scan it, and post it.

[CThunder-blue]

Why not use a carbon fiber background?

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Why not use a carbon fiber background?

Dunno. Feels a bit more predictable and a little "busier" A lot of little dots might take away too much from type. Just thinking out loud.

But I'll still give it a go when I get a chance (writing my last final papers ever. wheee) Might turn out better than I see in my head.

[CThunder-blue]

Depends on how small you make the image.

[ninja_sleeper]

Gurk your design is legit.

I like the idea also of having the original font so that it matches the forum.

Also your one liner's are great.

So simple and clean I love it.

I haven't been able to fool around on gimp all week due to life. But today I will chill out and post something up. Even if you guys don't roll with it, it's entertaining to design some ****.

[ninja_sleeper]

Those business card would have came in handy yesterday...

[CThunder-blue]

Everyone is free to print and use their own design Just make sure it keeps the family theme of our forum.

[Xanther]

Was bored @ work so I gave it a shot. Thoughts? Tried to keep it simple but give an idea of what Ninjette.org is...



(black border is just so you can see the edge on your screen since it's a white background. Borders like that are a pain in the neck when printing your own cards because of the bleed-to-edge and lining it up)

[Alex]

Neat!

[Rys]

Hey guys. I have been lurking for a while while I sweet talk my wife into letting me get a bike.

You guys got onto something I might be able help with. I own a print shop and would be happy to do the cards for you guys for the cost of the materials and shipping. A lot of the web pages out there that offer cheap cards will get you on the back end with shipping. My napkin math comes up just over a penny for a card plus shipping. I don't know that I want to get into mailing cards all over the world but if someone is interested in distributing them I could send them there. Hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes but I thought I would offer. I have enjoyed the forums and would be happy to do some cards for you guys for what my click and material costs are. Shoot me an email and we can go over all the options on paper types a whatnot.

[Rys]

I just realized I did some math wrong I should be able to do them a little bit cheaper. If the original poster will get in touch with me we can go over it if he wants

[Kevin2109]

I would love to have some cards!! There are so many 250s around here that I want to introduce to this awesome site

[CThunder-blue]

Originally Posted by Rys

Hey guys. I have been lurking for a while while I sweet talk my wife into letting me get a bike.

You guys got onto something I might be able help with. I own a print shop and would be happy to do the cards for you guys for the cost of the materials and shipping. A lot of the web pages out there that offer cheap cards will get you on the back end with shipping. My napkin math comes up just over a penny for a card plus shipping. I don't know that I want to get into mailing cards all over the world but if someone is interested in distributing them I could send them there. Hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes but I thought I would offer. I have enjoyed the forums and would be happy to do some cards for you guys for what my click and material costs are. Shoot me an email and we can go over all the options on paper types a whatnot.

Thanks Patrick! I think if we can narrow down the choice of a phrase, that might help. I don't mind distributing the cards.

[Trailerboy531]

I too would definitely want some cards and that's really great of you to do that Patrick.

On my first day of school yesterday I counted 4 Ninjettes in the motorcycle parking... There were only 9 bikes! I was definitely thinking I wished I had some cards.

[Kevin2109]

Are we thinking of having a universal card for everyone? Or per order with out name on it? And maybe our number (for the ladies of course lol)

I have no problem spending money on stuff like this, its excites me

[CThunder-blue]

Most likely, if we are going to get it from a single source, there would be a line for you to write your name down instead of getting it printed.