For critique

[Pete Moss]

This is my first design post in a few years. I have a few issues, I am on the fence with. Before I mention anything I'd like to hear your thoughts, along with your choice of the three. Thanks a ton for your time and input.

 

[Gino]

I like all three, but I think the middle one is my choice.

Well done.

 

[thinksigns]

I would remove Good Tidings and move Holiday Sale to the top.

 

[bigben]

my vote is for the middle one.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

The middle one gives a slight feeling of depth, so that would be my preference. 50% OFF is easily readable from the thumbnail, so I think it's very effective.

 

[Dennis422]

Middle one

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Middle one also. I was also thinking maybe the holiday sale should be a little larger

 

[Pete Moss]

Thanks for input!

The middle one was my choice until my wife's critique. She has a bachelors in art, I listen closely to her suggestions. She thinks the readability of "Good Tidings" was adversely affected.

Getting rid of the "Good Tidings" text or at least making "Holiday Sale" larger is what I'll play with next. Thanks!

The customer wanted it to read "Total Clearance" which to me screams closing (which she is not) I changed the text to good tidings in it's place. She also wanted 50% off as the focal point. No one has an issue with the Holiday Sale readability? One of my concerns that I was mulling over.

 

[Marlene]

I would remove Good Tidings and move Holiday Sale to the top.

agree best to get rid of extra copy when you can so it just reads Holiday Sale and 50% off

 

[Billct2]

Middle with a different script for "Holiday Sale", the connectors make it hard to read.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Thanks for input!

The middle one was my choice until my wife's critique. She has a bachelors in art, I listen closely to her suggestions. She thinks the readability of "Good Tidings" was adversely affected.

The customer wanted it to read "Total Clearance" which to me screams closing (which she is not) I changed the text to good tidings in it's place. She also wanted 50% off as the focal point. No one has an issue with the Holiday Sale readability? One of my concerns that I was mulling over.

That' why I said maybe a little larger for that. Total Clearance is that the sequel to total recall?>

 

[Gino]

Thanks for input!

The middle one was my choice until my wife's critique. She has a bachelors in art, I listen closely to her suggestions. She thinks the readability of "Good Tidings" was adversely affected.

The customer wanted it to read "Total Clearance" which to me screams closing (which she is not) I changed the text to good tidings in it's place. She also wanted 50% off as the focal point. No one has an issue with the Holiday Sale readability? One of my concerns that I was mulling over.

Wifey is always a good thing to listen to.

If the customer wants 'totally', you can achieve that with keeping all of your elements right where they are, but reduce the size of 'Holiday Sale'. The only important thing on there which people need to read is 50% OFF. The rest is all gingerbread and window dressing. Now, by adding the word 'Everything' just above that, you'll get both messages across.

A simple lesson here....... Here's what you have :

The Santa Claus which tells everyone something is happening why, where and when. The 50% OFF is what they are selling. That's the meat and potatoes of your sign. All the rest is the dressing. It just makes the sign likable, sweet, adorable, festive and the list goes on. It serves one purpose, to make someone look at it and take notice. If someone happens to read it, fine, but it's not important, not at all.

You've addressed it all, quite well. ​

 

[shoresigns]

I agree with your wife's comments on the middle one - the character overlapping on the text does hinder the readability. I would definitely go with the left one. Also "Good Tidings" is stretched a bit too tall.

 

[rjpjr]

No one has an issue with the Holiday Sale readability?

Yes, I do!

Looking only at your thumbnail, Holiday Sale doesn't exist.
Not only is Holiday Sale lost, I can't see Santa is a Santa.
Just about everything is lost except 50% OFF.
As you have mentioned, if you have the opportunity to remove Good Tidings, I would. It isn't necessary in my opinion.
I might do something like this...

 

[Jillbeans]

I like the last suggestion.
On your original, I prefer the center version, but make Holiday Sale in white. Writing it in red gives it zero contrast.
I prefer the retro looking script for Holiday Sale. Has a nice window splashy feel.
If it's in a real nice mall, I'd use the Holiday Sale in the clean sans serif as above.
Love....Jill

 

[Pete Moss]

Thanks again for all the input folks! Keeping in mind all that's been said I have a few more... I really like the present looking sign, it would be a creative placement for banner text on the ribbon.

I had to add an extra drop shadow for the white to contrast more in 3 & 4. The stretch on the "good tidings" text I felt was probably okay since it was warped anyway and seemed to fill the space nicely. Having said that, it is another thing I was on the fence with. I am going to fix some kerning issues in that text.

I ran into the director of the graphics program from school the other day. She is now the art director for one of our larger clients. We reflected on school and had some good graphics talks. She made a point of saying how important it is to keep things simple. Due to this I have not added any more to the graphic. I see the point, however wouldn't some magic Santa sparkle dust look cool emanating from his mittens to the outside of the "good tidings" text?

Please excuse any typos, only half way through my first cup of coffee.

 

[Jillbeans]

#4, bring all the elements in tighter together (more breathing space around the edges) and what the heck, add a few sparkles from the hands. I like losing the red outlines all together.
Lose the sunburst effect on the bottom or make it consistent with the top.

 

[Gino]

I still like the original middle one the most. While these last ones are still good, to me they are getting too involved with effects and balance. They now are what I call 'bottom heavy'. Sometimes, over the king something lEads you acknowledge to square one, which ain't a thing, in this case.

 

[Pete Moss]

Yeah, I was planning on tightening it all up making the margins balanced. I still like Santa over the top text to add depth. I also like giving reason for the sale. The idea is to send a message of good will, tis' the season and all of that happy stuff. I'll present two versions to the customer. She is one of a handful of freelance customers I have. The actual I/O paper for her sandwich sign will be printed here at my 9-5 job. All of my freelance customers follow my advice, either way. It's nice like that. Once the two are finalized I'll clean them up and bring up the remaining issues I've been somewhat on the fence with, that have not yet come up. Of course I'll post the finalized versions too.

 

[Marlene]

#4
sill not I in love with the font for Holiday Sale as it is just to chunky and is hard to red. if you fee you must use it, try thinning it out a little with an inline then throw out the original and keep that as your copy