VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Depthpersuasion · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: Business Card Critique

Normally would not ask of your guys' time to offer opinion on a business card, but I'm going against the grain of my usual presentation. I've set up my back side to play off my slogan into something humorous, and as we all know in this room is the business tactic (and by tactic I mean without ulterior motive) to make yourself memorable; but may be too against the image I'm presenting. Thus, confuse the client in what they're trusting.

[Have since changed this to the originally intended back, and edited a bit of the primary side information from the encouraged critique]

Thanks in advance.

Daniel

Front:

Screen shot 2011-04-02 at 1.05.05 PM by fireflyelysiumfilms, on Flickr

Back:

Screen shot 2011-04-02 at 1.10.25 PM by fireflyelysiumfilms, on Flickr
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject:

Lose the gmail address. No need to have both and the one pointing to your domain is more professional.

The panda thing on the back is cute, but I have no idea what it means. Seems horribly ill-placed. <shrug>
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Depthpersuasion · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:03 pm Post subject:

That was my thinking.

At times people accept the random humor. I for one like to play it straight, but have another side that enjoys the relish of random wit. So I thought I'd use it and see how it played out.

Thanks for the email pointer. Makes perfect sense.
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Richard D. Hall
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:55 pm Post subject:

Ditto on the gmail.

The card is certainly memorable.
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Bailey · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:40 pm Post subject:

A tilted head... of that degree... portrays negative body language.
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Depthpersuasion · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Deirdre.

Bailey - I can understand where you're com'n from, but it could be translated as relaxed considering the entire context of the picture. Point is noted though.

Thanks.
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Richard D. Hall
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

Looks like you're Pimpin' hoes on one side and playing with Pikachus on the other. What kind of a sick twisted man are you??? Smile

Pick a theme and stick with it.
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Depthpersuasion · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:20 pm Post subject:

Mike- echoed my point about the conflicting themes. I've seen the format work in admirable ways, but isn't the center of my natural way of doing business.

With this juxtaposed pitch thought it might iterate that I'm not someone with an ego.

But in short- I agree with'ya.

Thanks. Your comments never fail to amuse.
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Richard D. Hall
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:46 am Post subject:

I can certainly be a bit of a fuddy-duddy when it comes to design, but I think I really like this card. If your preferred voice work styles match the images portrayed in the card (cool, hip, disaffected, etc.) then this card will help you, as much as a business card can help you.

B
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DougVox · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:22 am Post subject:

Like Bruce, I can be a bit of a fuddy-duddy, too. But more for content than design, so here goes.

Front of card:

- If I had no idea who Daniel Pierce was, and I was looking at this card, the phrase "Depth Persuasion Voice Talent" would mean nothing to me. "Voice Talent?" Sure, I get that, but what the heck is "Depth Persuasion" and what does it have to do with Voice Talent? (And the design of the rest of the card certainly does nothing to help me figure this out.) Remember, you already know your backstory and what all of this means. One goal of effective branding and design is to cement that meaning in your clients' minds.

- "Actor for Voice." Maybe it's just me, but that seems like an odd phrase. You could avoid it by changing the line to "Actor for Film. Television. Voice." (Regardless, this line also confuses...is he Voice Talent? Film Actor? TV Actor? And if he's all three, why does his title at the top of the card say he's Voice Talent?

- Depthpersuasion.com. I know that you might still be in the planning stages of this campaign, but you should probably register this domain name sooner rather than later.

- I don't see "relaxed" in the image of the guy, I see "aloof."

- Aloof is a funny-looking word.

Back of Card:

- meh.
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Depthpersuasion · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject:

Bruce - Thank you. Good to know I'm in touch somewhere in this book.

Doug- Thank you for the thorough critique. Means a lot. I'm gonna make a few changes from your points, and repost for any future Generous Samaritans.

Cheers.
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Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 2:59 pm Post subject:

This is not a comment directed specifically at this card's design, but somewhat at a lot of the stuff we try to come up with, overall, to differentiate ourselves or stand out from the crowd.

Sometimes we try to get TOO clever, or TOO cutting-edge or TOO abstract, thinking it'll make us stand out from the crowd. And perhaps it will, but in a productive way or not?

Remember, the goal is not to stand out from the crowd, but to generate work. If standing out from the crowd accomplishes that, GREAT! But to stand out or be innovative purely for the sake of being innovative can be detrimental if it leaves the potential client scratching their head.

Nancy Wolfson is a real guru when it comes to branding. A few bucks spent with her to work on your branding is money and time well spent.
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Depthpersuasion · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Scott. I know exactly where you're coming from. Familiar with Nancy from VOE podcast. I'll look'er up.
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Richard D. Hall
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Gregory Best · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject:

I too am confused by "Depth Persuasion". It means nothing to me and adds nothing. What is your brand? Your brand must have menaing to those who hire you. There are some good comments here you should pay attention to. Keep it simple. You don't have a lot of time to get someone's attention.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

-1 for "Depth Persuasion". It's also difficult to say; doesn't roll off the tongue.
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