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-   -   I got a graphic design job... (http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/vbz/showthread.php?t=119808)

midnghtraver 07-27-2011 01:37 AM

I got a graphic design job...
 
So I'm designing a poster for my dads business conference (basically just showing off hiw business).

I'm getting paid so I want it to be able to do it good.

The company name is SiteLink: http://www.sitelinkinternational.com/

The theme is black and green.

"America's Toughest Lease Negotiator"
"Winning Lease Negotiations"

That's pretty much all I have to work with.

Oh and the dementions are 28.75in BY 84in ... So its pretty big for a photoshop image.

We are getting it printed at kinkos.

Do you guys have any ideas on what I can fill some of the space with? Any ideas for layouts? Anything at all would be greatly appreciated. DarkShark I know this is your specialty!

(confirmation: I do not want YOU to make the poster, kinda reads that way)

Mr. Dorbs 07-27-2011 09:52 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Those are pretty lame catchphrases. Perhaps think of a more clever and elaborate one? The only reason I say that is because it seems like you're excited to tackle this project to your full potential, and I'd hate to see it overshadowed by the obscurity of a poorly-executed phrase.

Emithith 07-27-2011 02:58 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
^^^
I agree, not to put down your dad's work, or anything, but those are pretty lame.. :\

Gundam-Dude 07-27-2011 03:37 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
For layouts specifically, you shouldn't use Photoshop. Use InDesign as it's a program made for creating layouts like this poster you're going to do.

Since this is going for printing, work in CMYK colour mode (this should already be obvious) and save your file as a PDF (Print). PDF (Interactive) is for web/computer display, etc.

For layouts such as this, you'll have to start learning how to use grids, to create hierarchy in the information you're trying to convey as well as create a visually appealing structure to the layout itself. Just simply slapping all your information wherever you feel like doesn't work for advertising and in the professional world in general. I'll throw these out here as an example of what I mean by grids (project from my Graphic Design program, lol):

Layout
Layout viewed with grid overlay

Although the example was used specifically as a magazine page layout, poster layouts still follow the exact same structure. The only catch is you have to be more creative as to what catches people's eye, so you really have to use the canvas/page wisely.

I've got 2 different takes on a movie poster I could show that also use the grid well if you're interested. They would be closer to what you're aiming for.

makdaddy 07-27-2011 04:00 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
keep it simple, don't clutter it

also, photoshop probably isn't the best program to make a big ass poster in, use InDesign

also, if you're going to use like graphic graphics (i.e. graphics like your avatar)...don't, those never print well

and everything Gundam said too

midnghtraver 07-27-2011 05:51 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
You guys are so helpful :3

gattsta 07-27-2011 09:44 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Emphasize important words, pictures, phrases ect.

Something thats good for that, is a drop shadow. It gives images/text a sense of depth.

darkshark 07-27-2011 09:56 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Make sure to work in CMYK mode. I would probably do the whole thing in photoshop, but I don't know how good your computer is, if it can't handle those dimensions then yeah use something else.

Many times a client will give you a small slogan or something like that to work with, and then you have to design around it, and most of the time the client doesn't want to change their slogan, HOWEVER if the client is pretty lenient (dad) then you could also make suggestions. I try and adhere to one of the quotes in my sig.

"Listen to your client, take into consideration all of their input, weigh the options, study the details, know the target audience, and then, if necessary, ignore all of it and design what you think will work best."

If there's something about his idea that you think won't convey very well, then suggest something better. Though, this one doesn't seem too difficult to work with.

Seems like a small business, the slogans in the ad obviously indicate that he's trying to sell himself so I would include a good sized photo of your dad there, or if that's not cool with him, or it's geared more towards the company itself, then you should use a good image of a nice building (whatever type of building the company deals with: house, apt, commercial, etc). The website itself is light and hard-edged, so keep the design similar. Don't be afraid of whitespace, you don't need to fill in every last bit of it. Just make the most important things the biggest.

midnghtraver 07-28-2011 05:39 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by darkshark (Post 3511466)
Make sure to work in CMYK mode. I would probably do the whole thing in photoshop, but I don't know how good your computer is, if it can't handle those dimensions then yeah use something else.

Many times a client will give you a small slogan or something like that to work with, and then you have to design around it, and most of the time the client doesn't want to change their slogan, HOWEVER if the client is pretty lenient (dad) then you could also make suggestions. I try and adhere to one of the quotes in my sig.

"Listen to your client, take into consideration all of their input, weigh the options, study the details, know the target audience, and then, if necessary, ignore all of it and design what you think will work best."

If there's something about his idea that you think won't convey very well, then suggest something better. Though, this one doesn't seem too difficult to work with.

Seems like a small business, the slogans in the ad obviously indicate that he's trying to sell himself so I would include a good sized photo of your dad there, or if that's not cool with him, or it's geared more towards the company itself, then you should use a good image of a nice building (whatever type of building the company deals with: house, apt, commercial, etc). The website itself is light and hard-edged, so keep the design similar. Don't be afraid of whitespace, you don't need to fill in every last bit of it. Just make the most important things the biggest.

Thanks for the advise.

I don't have InDesign, and I don't want to deal with being a complete "noob" at a program for an actual job.

My computer is amazing, so we don't have to worry about that, it has like 9 different studio equipment devises plugged into it and can run anything very smoothly.

What is CMYK mode? Usually I choose RGB

Quigly 07-28-2011 10:34 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
CMYK- cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

It's used for printing, and since you will be printing your poster, use this as opposed to RGB.

Spenner 07-28-2011 01:19 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Be aware that the image may change drastically if you make it in RBG and convert it to CYMK, so make it in a document with CYMK colours if you're going that route.

Work with those inches dimensions in 300dpi if doing it in photoshop. You amazing computer shouldn't slow down too much.

As for the design itself, make sure you establish a hierarchy of what you want to be seen first, second, 3rd, etc.

darkshark 07-28-2011 02:29 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
As for CMYK mode, what Quigly said. It only gives you the color palette that a standard 4 color printer is able to produce, so you won't be able to use any neon colors like you can get in RGB.

Also, for maximum quality, save the whole PSD and take it down to kinkos, not a jpeg or tiff. They have photoshop on their computers so printing directly from a psd isn't a problem.

makdaddy 08-2-2011 11:29 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
i'd like to see what you come up with, whenever you get around to it!

midnghtraver 08-4-2011 11:23 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Derpity derp derp.

http://i973.photobucket.com/albums/a...nkPoster-1.jpg

FOR THE RECORD: I don't really like it (refer to the derps), but he does so whatever.

There will be some tweaks done tomorrow, and i'll post the final final project.

who_cares973 08-5-2011 12:02 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
siteline at the top is barely legible. also reading down to up is counter intuitive as **** man.

Gundam-Dude 08-5-2011 12:14 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
The 3D shit makes everything illegible and unreadable. Text does NOT have to be fancy and full of effects to look good. Plain text is best, especially if you're doing a professional job such as this so for the love of god keep it simple.

The header you have to watch out for just how much of the letters you cut off. What you have right now makes the header also unreadable and when you actually go out and print it, it's going to end up being a jumbled mess and you'll be left with only ITELIN. I can almost guarantee you that it won't print well.

You're breaking some typography rules/conventions but I won't bother bitching at you for it since you didn't know about it in the first place.

midnghtraver 08-5-2011 12:21 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by who_cares973 (Post 3515702)
siteline at the top is barely legible. also reading down to up is counter intuitive as **** man.

It says sitelinK haha.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Gundam-Dude (Post 3515709)
The 3D shit makes everything illegible and unreadable. Text does NOT have to be fancy and full of effects to look good. Plain text is best, especially if you're doing a professional job such as this so for the love of god keep it simple.

The header you have to watch out for just how much of the letters you cut off. What you have right now makes the header also unreadable and when you actually go out and print it, it's going to end up being a jumbled mess and you'll be left with only ITELIN. I can almost guarantee you that it won't print well.

You're breaking some typography rules/conventions but I won't bother bitching at you for it since you didn't know about it in the first place.


You don't have to tell me twice. But honestly, i'm not really doing this one because I want to. The goal at the end of this one is to get paid. And everything on that poster is all his idea. And as it is right now he likes it...

Quigly 08-5-2011 01:18 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
So you're willing to compromise gaining skill and being proud for your own work for laziness then.

way2go~

midnghtraver 08-5-2011 01:23 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Quigly (Post 3515746)
So you're willing to compromise gaining skill and being proud for your own work for laziness then.

way2go~

Not really what I said. My dad came to me. Hey son wanna make me a poster for a couple of bucks? So I can show it to a couple of people ONCE?

I was just looking to please him, and what your looking at is what he wants.

ULTIMEGA 08-5-2011 04:49 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
3D is Bad-ass. Nuff sed.

____________________

ANYONE WHO'S SOMEONE IS EVERYONE

who_cares973 08-5-2011 10:13 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
No, enough said

Renevatia 08-6-2011 04:59 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Not sure where this poster is suppose to be used since it wasn't specified. But if it is suppose to be a standalone poster, where you just stick it out on streets or internet ad's or even brochures here's what you should focus on.

Make it simple and memorable. Its not that you cannot put in fancy effects or w.e. text stuff you can add, I don't even know anything about typography but if I cannot read it in one glance and know what you are trying to sell me I have bad news for you. Of course this comment is a bit over critical for anything casual, but 'graphic design job' is where you design the graphic related material for you client, doesn't matter if it is your dad, you are the designer, not him. If you do not like it, it usually means you think you can make it better for the cause, then go for it.

midnghtraver 08-6-2011 05:34 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Renevatia (Post 3516435)
Not sure where this poster is suppose to be used since it wasn't specified. But if it is suppose to be a standalone poster, where you just stick it out on streets or internet ad's or even brochures here's what you should focus on.

Make it simple and memorable. Its not that you cannot put in fancy effects or w.e. text stuff you can add, I don't even know anything about typography but if I cannot read it in one glance and know what you are trying to sell me I have bad news for you. Of course this comment is a bit over critical for anything casual, but 'graphic design job' is where you design the graphic related material for you client, doesn't matter if it is your dad, you are the designer, not him. If you do not like it, it usually means you think you can make it better for the cause, then go for it.

Its at a "Convention" where he wants people to notice it more than the competition (of which are not having their posters "fancified")

LongGone 08-6-2011 05:47 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
I hope I'm not annoying or nagging you writing this, don't take this the wrong way


Zoom out to see the big picture.

Even if your client does like it, you are the professional doing the job here (the client is paying you for your expertise in the field, you would know better than him/her what works and is effective. He gives you the basic idea of what he wants, you present to him results and maybe propose ideas and alternatives)

I'm no expert in this, but I think the other members summed up the critiques on it. Looking at the big picture, if this was a banner, you want it to be as clear as possible to get the message across. If a passerby takes one quick glance at it, can he/she read it clearly? People won't stop and read/ponder over every banner they see, so it has to be as legible as possible. Unfortunately even reading the 3d text on my PC screen now gives me trouble making it out. Legibility IMO, is more important than making it fancy to stand out. If its so over the top and fanciful but people can't read the message then it loses its point

My 0.02$

midnghtraver 08-6-2011 06:27 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by LongGone (Post 3516442)
I hope I'm not annoying or nagging you writing this, don't take this the wrong way


Zoom out to see the big picture.

Even if your client does like it, you are the professional doing the job here (the client is paying you for your expertise in the field, you would know better than him/her what works and is effective. He gives you the basic idea of what he wants, you present to him results and maybe propose ideas and alternatives)

I'm no expert in this, but I think the other members summed up the critiques on it. Looking at the big picture, if this was a banner, you want it to be as clear as possible to get the message across. If a passerby takes one quick glance at it, can he/she read it clearly? People won't stop and read/ponder over every banner they see, so it has to be as legible as possible. Unfortunately even reading the 3d text on my PC screen now gives me trouble making it out. Legibility IMO, is more important than making it fancy to stand out. If its so over the top and fanciful but people can't read the message then it loses its point

My 0.02$

But i'm no expert in this either. And my dad knows this. If someone was searching for someone to do a graphic design project for them. They wouldn't come to me, this is extenuating circumstances...

Mythix 08-6-2011 03:27 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 


K I won the game

Anyways ignore below green line, the whole emboss part is just cuz lazy. This is for a professional meeting, imagine Donald Trumph being showed this in a room with Obama and random upsidedown 3D text appears. Ain't no pokeball that can save you then.

Below line, check my signature and OILERS profile pic, imagine the SITELINE logo in it and the slogain of your choice below the text instead of stretched blue....

Anyways that's my 2$. Beats 2 cent.

midnghtraver 08-6-2011 03:35 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Lol its sitelink!

WITH A K!

Mythix 08-6-2011 03:50 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Even better, you can make the logo a GIF of being clicked. Like a LINK.

midnghtraver 08-6-2011 03:56 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mythix (Post 3516658)
Even better, you can make the logo a GIF of being clicked. Like a LINK.

Its a poster *facepalm*

Mythix 08-6-2011 03:56 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by midnghtraver (Post 3516666)
Its a poster *facepalm*



I didn't read your post lol I just had 5 minutes spare while downloading "Pursuit of Happiness" xD

Quigly 08-6-2011 04:23 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
This entire thread has been you making excuses as to why you can't make any improvements on your poster, which in my opinion, is borderline terrible.

Regardless of the circumstances, or your experience, your client came to you looking to get a job done, and you better put all the effort you have to make this poster the best it can be.

It doesn't matter if he likes it, it is a very poor graphic design job and you know that just as much as everyone else does, and I think that you are using your clients approval as a justification for not having any more work to do.

Gundam-Dude 08-6-2011 06:58 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
quigly nailed exactly everything in his post

you haven't even -ATTEMPTED- to fix your poster let alone make other concepts and variations. No one, and I mean NO ONE, sticks with their very first concept and goes with it all the way through without designing other variations

I don't ****ing care how much money you're making off of this or whether you're doing this job for your dad, put some effort into it. fix it until it's good

NeoMasterPie 08-6-2011 07:12 PM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
pat so passionate (':

but i agree 110% with both him and quigly

Mythix 08-7-2011 04:09 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
My point was only he should go for something simple :\


@Gundam, I agree with Quingly but you just make me sad

Gundam-Dude 08-7-2011 04:24 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
I do realize I'm being harsh, but it's the only way he'll actually BOTHER to do anything with what he has

kommisar 08-7-2011 11:27 AM

Re: I got a graphic design job...
 
the ffr community has frowned upon your lack of commitment to this project. carry on.


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