Critique Clinic – October 28-October 30, 2011
How does it work? For three days a week (Friday-Sunday midnight), I will open the clinic to any artist who wants an honest peer review and critique of a card which gets plenty of clicks but no sales, so something’s probably not quite right, or you’ve got a new design you want to test drive, or you’re unsure about the marketability of a card. Or perhaps you’re a newbie who isn’t sure if a recently submitted card is up to a marketable standard. Anyone is welcome to participate. In fact, I encourage everyone to at least look at the cards in question and read the critique comments – you may learn something. The purpose of the clinic is to help artists improve the commercial appeal and marketability of their cards.
THE RULES
- ONE card per artist only.
- Card must be for sale at Greeting Card Universe.
- We will take an unlimited number of artists, including those who have submitted recently, HOWEVER I reserve the right to close a clinic for the day if the submissions become overwhelming. If the clinic has been closed, and you submit a card, your comment will be deleted.
- To submit a card for critique, post a link to the card at GCU in the comments section of this clinic post.
- Any artist is free to comment and/or give a critique of a submitted card. HOWEVER, post-and-run comments like “great card” or “you suck” will not be tolerated, nor will abuse. Criticism should be constructive, not destructive. Play nice or you will be banned.
- I also won’t tolerate temper tantrums if you decide your “artistic integrity” is being stepped on because you asked for a critique, and someone told you the photo you’re using isn’t in focus. If you can’t take honest criticism, don’t submit. Once gets you a warning; twice and you’re banned from submitting in the future.
- Artists who critique may do so by giving their opinion, posting an example of another card, or pointing the submitter to a video, on-line article, or other helpful suggestion.
- Don’t forget that artists who are giving you tips and helpful advice are volunteering their time and trouble. Be nice. A link back to their store on your website or blog is appreciated (but not mandatory).
- You are free not to take any advice offered. There’s no guarantee any card will be a bestseller, so don’t come into the clinic with unrealistic expectations.
- Rules may change as we go along and we see how things turn out, okay?
So without any further ado, I declare this week’s Critique Clinic open!
GCU Community 
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/miss-you-cards/girlfriend/miss-you-girl-friend-two-871303?aid=156115
O.K. this is a friendship card..When i illustrated this card i thought of my best friend and my sister. Every time we get together we laugh and have so much fun….and of course I guess I make my cards simple..not sure if other people laugh like this… I do….Can you critique it?
I think maybe your inside verse is a tad too formal. Try “and all the fun we have when we’re together” – that sounds more friendly, less stiff.
Corrie
Corrie,…. I changed it… Thank you so very much.. I like the verse much better…
I love your Critique Clinic…
Donna
I saw where Owls are a popular subject for cards and collectables so this is my design.
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/thinking-of-you-cards/animals-pets/birds/i-give-a-hoot-barred-874254?aid=151326
Terry
I like the idea too Terry, but I encourage you to give this photograph more appeal. It’s a nice shot of an owl, but to to have this stand out and sell over the many other owl cards, some of which are exceptional, this photograph it has to really pop.
Try a Gaussian blur on the background to really soften it and let the owl stand out better and that will also help your text to be more legible. I would also adjust the color in the bird’s wings just a bit to bring in a little warmth. The color palette is very cool due to the lighting conditions at the time it was taken. Even adding a hint of a warming filter in Photoshop might just do it.
This article might inspire you to make this a great image:
http://salonofartnewsletter.weebly.com/1/post/2011/01/photography-tip-for-nov-dec-2010.html
I will give that a try:>)
Here is my attempt at using your suggestions:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/thinking-of-you-cards/animals-pets/birds/i-give-a-hoot-barred-874254?aid=151326
Terry
Much better Terry! Great job of the background and I’m sure Corrie will feel the same about your text changes!
Good job!
Thank you and Corrie!!
Terry
I like the idea… I just think the text on the front of the card is kind of spindly, overly formal, and difficult to see against the photograph. You may want to choose a font that’s a bit less formal and wedding announcement looking, and has a fatter line to stand out a bit more.
Corrie
Here I go. This is a newer design with a good number of clicks, no sale as of yet! The GCU reviewer commented in my email approval “Very funny card!” so atleast they liked it! Does the humor come off okay? Calling your card recipient Strange is funny but could it be a double edged sword for sales? Anyway, any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/miss-you-cards/humor/cartoon-man-and-cat-dont-854453?aid=138159
Thanks, John J. 🙂
I like the cartoon, and yes, it’s humorous. I don’t think that’s an issue. However, you may want to re-purpose the card if you can… maybe a Missing You at Summer Camp (sorry, don’t remember the actual category), I thought. Kids would enjoy the humor.
Corrie
This one for Pastor Appreciation has over 400 clicks and only one sale. What do you think it needs?
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/community/gcu_product.asp?pid=868164&return=/community/my_cards.asp
Harriet, your link is taking us to your card create page in your private account. You may want to change the link. I feel the image on your card is washed out and could be a bit more bold. Also the font seems flat and difficult to read. Hope this helps.
Oops. So, here is the correct link:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/collections/scripture-religious/christianity/pastor-appreciation-for-leading-us-868164
I agree. The image needs to be brighter. However, when I click on large view, the font seems easy to read. I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks,
Harriett
Hi Harriett,
I agree with Betsy on both counts. The image itself has a couple minor issues. First, as Betsy mentioned it could use a tone value adjustment, it’s a bit flat. Secondly, do you see on the right side of the image the white line? That needs to be removed, it’s probably where the scanner and edge of the painting met up, but it should not be seen on the card. The left side blends out like a painting, but since the left side can not do that, I would either put a simple ‘frame’ around your image or make a cutout in your white background the will allow your image to come through from behind and hide the unfinished edges on both sides.
The font, to me, is to casual for this card and category. I would go with something either more formal or more traditional. On the outside and the inside.
Okay, let’s see how this edit improves the card. I cropped the image, brightened it and used a more formal font. It’s a little late now, since Pastor Appreciation Month is about over, but maybe it will be improved for next time and occasional pastor appreciation.
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/collections/scripture-religious/christianity/pastor-appreciation-for-leading-us-868164
The image is certainly much better Harriett! I personally would keep the color of the text the same both inside and on the front of the card.
Thanks Corrie, I’ll try that category and see if I can get any sales!
John J.
Thanks to Doreen and Corrie. I thought I had chosen black for the inside text and didn’t check it after I had saved it. So, this should be better:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/collections/scripture-religious/christianity/pastor-appreciation-for-leading-us-868164
This is such a help. I vow to take advantage of the advice on all the critiques and apply to my cards. Love this site.
Harriett