MOST IMPORTANT PART OF CARD
The most important part of a greeting card is the top third.
Why?
Usually that is the only part that shows when a card is sitting in a store rack.
If possible, try to put something eye catching or important on the top of the card.
This could be a simple as a word, or a visual image that begs the customer to pick it up and see what else is there.
CARDS EQUAL FEELINGS
The design on the front of a card serves one purpose, to grab the customer's attention enough so they will pick it up. You also want to express a mood, a tone, a feeling or emotion, using the image as a language of communication. Remember that most people buy greeting cards because they don't know how to say something to someone else, so it is easier to let the card do it for them.
(Photo Credit: Bright Media)
WORDS ON CARDS
If you don’t have words on your card, make sure your image is an attention grabber. Pin your card on the wall next to store bought cards and step back 10 feet and look at it. Does your card stand out? Ask a friend to send you out of the room and rearrange the cards in new way. When you reenter the room notice where your eye is drawn and why.
Think of a card design as the art of Ikabana, Japanese flower arranging. In Ikabana, you start with a primary flower as the center of which all other flowers support Try to find your main strength and build around it.
Paper can be used as your main focus. For example, a fiber filled handmade paper red with clusters of pine needles may make a great Christmas card. Colors can also be the used by painting one bold red brush stroke across your card, and supporting it with a word or decoration.
If you like to use humor, it may not be necessary to create a perfectly illustrated design with carefully chosen colors. The main point may be the message. You don't want the image to detract from the humor.
Some cards rely completely on abstract images, such as a collage. They usually don’t have words on them, but the materials are carefully chosen for their unusual character, texture or color. College cards often attract customers to pick up the card because they want to know what it's made of.
(photo credit: Daziladi)
The design on the front of a card serves one purpose, to grab the customer's attention enough so they will pick it up. You also want to express a mood, a tone, a feeling or emotion, using the image as a language of communication. Remember that most people buy greeting cards because they don't know how to say something to someone else, so it is easier to let the card do it for them.
(Photo Credit: Bright Media)
WORDS ON CARDSIf you don’t have words on your card, make sure your image is an attention grabber. Pin your card on the wall next to store bought cards and step back 10 feet and look at it. Does your card stand out? Ask a friend to send you out of the room and rearrange the cards in new way. When you reenter the room notice where your eye is drawn and why.
Think of a card design as the art of Ikabana, Japanese flower arranging. In Ikabana, you start with a primary flower as the center of which all other flowers support Try to find your main strength and build around it.
Paper can be used as your main focus. For example, a fiber filled handmade paper red with clusters of pine needles may make a great Christmas card. Colors can also be the used by painting one bold red brush stroke across your card, and supporting it with a word or decoration.
If you like to use humor, it may not be necessary to create a perfectly illustrated design with carefully chosen colors. The main point may be the message. You don't want the image to detract from the humor.
Some cards rely completely on abstract images, such as a collage. They usually don’t have words on them, but the materials are carefully chosen for their unusual character, texture or color. College cards often attract customers to pick up the card because they want to know what it's made of.
(photo credit: Daziladi)
2 comments:
The blog was concise yet explanatory. I really liked the idea of comparing card designing with the art of Ikabana. Thanks for sharing it, Kate.
Love your cards. I have trouble choosing the right card stock for my handmade cards. 110lb of one brand is way different than 110lb of another brand. 65lb just seems too flimsy. How do you go about choosing your stock?
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