another opinion needed

[martekbiz]

As with my previous post.. this is another cover layout my firm is considering for a new company brochure.

Aaron

http://www.martekbiz.com/testCovers/cover_test.jpg

Comments about this?

What emotions does it trigger (if any)?
Does it make you want to open for more information?


ANY comments would be wonderful.

Thanks!

[martekbiz]

me again *sigh*

Just playing around with the text positions.. here are 2 new images with different lighting on the text and one with a different positioning.

http://www.martekbiz.com/testCovers/cover_test2.jpg


http://www.martekbiz.com/testCovers/testcover2.jpg

Thoughts?

Thanks agian all. Much appreciated.

Aaron

[scottiecl]

I like http://www.martekbiz.com/testCovers/cover_test2.jpg best. The text stands out better than #1 and I like the layout better than #3- the vertical text is too distracting.

I like this one much better than the last one you posted- the drawing. The construction imagery as well as a "view from above" with the guy looking out of a window is perfect- implies growth, building for the future, and a long term vision.

Very nice! :cheers:

[martekbiz]

Scottie,

Thanks a ton for your insight.

With #3.. what exactly do you find to distracting? The text concept we're going for in #3 is one of basic business process... you have to gain exposure for your busines.. then you have to generate leads.. then you increase sales (get more sales).. going from good.. to better to best.

Is there anything you beleive would detract away from the "busyness" of the text yet allow the conceptual implications to remain?

Perhaps making the text like it was "engraved" into the colums?

And thank you very much for reinforcing the "message" of the image itself. There's a 50/50 split on this image. Some see it the way you see it (the way it's intended) and some believe the person int he image is depressed.. the building is burnt out... the image is about to committ suicide .

Thanks again..

ALL comments are appreciated :)

Regards,

Aaron

[scottiecl]

If someone sees this image as a man about to jump from a building, I think that tells you a lot about their state of mind! Goodness.

The vertical text on the columns distracts the eye from the picture and focuses it on the text. I think you lose the "vastness" of the new construction feel and make it more cartoon-y by integrating the text into the image itself.

Just my .02- others may not agree...

[sytemaker]

a bit short in content......

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sytemaker
sytemaker.com , web development (http://www.sytemaker.com/)

[sytemaker]

what am I looking at..?.....


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sytemaker
sytemaker.com , web development (http://www.sytemaker.com/)

[martekbiz]

Apparently you choose not to read or you do not read well.



As with my previous post.. this is another cover layout my firm is considering for a new company brochure.

[sytemaker]

best go to a graphics forum then...

[scottiecl]

Sytemaker-

Doug told him he was welcome to post his print stuff here for a critique. Ease up, OK? :)

[Blue]

Hi Martek,

I say dump the image altogether. Why take a chance on losing 50% of viewers of an image. That doesn't seem like good marketing.

FWIW, my state of mind is completely upbeat (I just got some good news that I was looking forward to), but the image seems depressing to me.

[Gage]

I agree with Scottie. The text on http://www.martekbiz.com/testCovers/cover_test2.jpg is much clearer and easier to see.

Gage

[scottiecl]

Is it because the guy is looking down? That is very interesting. Maybe if there was a worker and a business guy looking at plans, it would be a better suited to the "building for the future" scenario.

I'd say try again Aaron. I trust Blue's instincts and if you are hearing the same thing, than it is likely that you would get a negative response from a certain percent of the market.

[polarmate]

The image made me feel very sad and depressed. "Will I ever be able to afford drywall?" is the message I get from this picture. It's not very subtle - perhaps that's the wrong word - but I can't find the right word - it's almost like you are depicting the 'building business from the inside' very literally and the 'out' is the poor chap looking out. It just does not seem to work as a creative reinforcement for your punchline.

[scottiecl]

Originally posted by polarmate
"Will I ever be able to afford drywall?" is the message I get from this picture.
:uplaugh: Too funny, Polarmate!

[Blue]

Martek mentioned that a lot of people mentioned suicide. While my initial impression didn't go quite that far, I DID think something along the lines of - "Guy standing there, depressed, wondering why he went out of business and wishing he had enough money to have kept those darned repo guys away."

It doesn't, for me, give the impression of starting out - building up - adding to - like it's a new office waiting to be finished and populated with walls, carpet, furniture and equipment, and upwardly mobile office workers.

Rather it makes me feel like the building/office is - deserted - taking away - deconstruction - like the guy is depressedly looking out at the soon-to-be-used wrecking ball.

And believe me, I was not in a "down" frame of mind when I initially viewed the pic. Rather I was as happy as I look in my avatar - something like this --> :D

[martekbiz]

Hi everyone,

Thanks a ton for your thoughts and insight.

While I don't see dispair in the least.. I sure as hell don't want 50% of my prospects feeling this way... or rather I don't want them coming away with a feeling of dispair once they get through the piece.

From some of the feedback I've received from clients and forums like this there is no question the image peaks the interest of people viewing it. It is because of all this attention I am getting about the actual image that makes it hard to give up on.

ANY thing that intrigues and peaks the minds of people can't be a bad thing.

I have attached anothe rimage.. no copy.. no nothing to this that shows a different view and illustration compared to the one previously posted.


What would your initial thoughts on this one be?

Thanks again all!

[Blue]

Aaron,

Talk about your turnarounds.

This image projects - upbeat - bright - positive - "we're going somewhere" - "have big plans for the future".

No depression at all in this image.

I'd like to see it with the text.

[polarmate]

Much better!! More cheerful. More positive. Probably the improved lighting does it. Also the impression of two guys - upright postures not hunched - discussing animatedly conveys 'we're gonna get somewhere with this.'

Very nice! Do add the text!

[martekbiz]

Alright...

Here is something we have quickly come up with.

Not much to it.. will punch it up when we decide fully on layout.

Just looking for opinions thus far?

Thanks people.. greatly appreciated!


Aaron

[scottiecl]

I like the look, but am not wild about the copy.

How about a bulleted list instead of commas? The "fresh for success" line doesn't tie back to your image, doesn't really mean anything that I can tell.

[scottiecl]

Well, maybe not bullets, but lose the commas and "and".

Maybe "building for the future" or "the future of your business" something like that.

If the "fresh" line is a must, you need a clever food image or something along those lines, IMHO, not a construction image.

[martekbiz]

the image is open.. airy, implies a fresh/clean slate.. almost.


fresh for success means a business keeps an open mind to new trends, new ideas, unique solutions.

That's sorts the implied subtext message I am trying to hint at.

Our copy guy is out of the office right now with a client so we're running our own thoughts :)

Thanks for your input Scottie

Aaron

[scottiecl]

Originally posted by martekbiz
the image is open.. airy, implies a fresh/clean slate.. almost. That is a bit of a reach, I think.

fresh for success means a business keeps an open mind to new trends, new ideas, unique solutions. This I like! How about having the copy say what you just wrote?

Thanks for your input Scottie
You are very welcome. :) Always glad to push my opinions on others!

[martekbiz]

Thanks again Scottie



This I like! How about having the copy say what you just wrote?



I agree with your sentiments. One of the things our firm has become known for is our ability to get customer to lead the pack instead of following it.

Some of the client we work with are VERY good at what they do and some are afraid of venturing out into unchartered waters. It is because of their capabilities and how successfull they are we have the philosophy of leading your industry instead of following it.

This is something I really try to stress to clients and yes.. it costs money to do things that others aren't and yes there may be ricks involved to try our methodology approach to online initiatives but the benefits far out weight the ricks when 100% effort is put into it.

This message.. concept is very difficult to get across verbally let alone textual.

Hense the wording issues *shrugs*

Thanks again.

Aaron

[scottiecl]

Current headline:

Keeps Your Business Fresh for Success

Text on graphic:

open minds
new trends
fresh ideas
unique solutions

A suggestion...

[martekbiz]

Originally posted by scottiecl
Current headline:

Keeps Your Business Fresh for Success

Text on graphic:

open minds
new trends
fresh ideas
unique solutions

A suggestion...


Confused about what you are saying *shrugs*

Brain is impaired :P

Aaron