Critique Clinic – February 24-26, 2012
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. Allowances will be made if you’ve had a card declined, or made a new design you’d like advice on. Give us the link where we can see the card, such as your private gallery, Flickr, etc.
- 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 
so I just had this one declined for “unprofessional typography/placement”. I have no idea what that means because it’s a thought bubble and placing the text on an angle fit and made the most sense to me. Here is a link to the same card with slightly different inside verse on Z – http://www.zazzle.com/deer_birthday_greeting_card-137411952033942284
I will again review the Wiki but not quite sure I understand the issue with the decline.
In this case, I’m afraid I have to agree with the reviewers. Speech balloon text is never placed at an angle for a couple of reasons – it makes it too difficult to read, and it looks very bad to the eye.
Corrie
I have two other cards with bubbles on an angle that were approved before the culling started and they remain even after my store supposedly has already been “gone through” for culling. Just curious why this one was declined and the other two remained after my store’s cards were already dealt with.
I’ll see about making the change to all of them then.
Hi Donna –
I certainly am no expert on this technique, but I did take a look at the two cards in your store you were referring to and here is my thoughts . . . The two in your store have the speech bubble on the left AND are only slightly slanted, therefore since people read from left to right it flows much better than what you have here with the deer. On this deer image, the text does not read from left to right therefore it seems cumbersome. I’m only guessing and offering a possible answer to your question.
Hi Donna, your deer is cute! The inside text really makes it work.
Other than the angle of the speech bubble, I think the text seems to be vertically positioned a little too high leaving more space at the bottom of the bubble than the top. The ellipse may not leave enough room to move it down, so maybe instead you could say:
Here’s to
someone “dear”
with no ellipse. Although I see you’re using quotes on the inside, too, so maybe that won’t work. Hmmm…
My other suggestion is to get a little more creative with the font. While it’s probably not actually Times New Roman, my gut reaction any time I see a plain roman typeface with no other detailing is that the creator didn’t bother to change it from the default. Probably not the case, I know, but just my first thought!
Hope you can make it work!
-Aqua Lee/Marilee
I could use some help on this one, especially in time for National Tooth Fairy Day, lol!
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/the-tooth-fairy-795071?pid=795071&gcu=44263118157
I think the worst part is her eye, I just can’t seem to get it right. I like it kind of big, which is sort of the fantasy/exaggerated look I had in mind. But then again, I know it’s kinda weird and may be turning off potential buyers. What do you all think – not just her anatomy but overall? 🙂 Thank you!
-Aqua Lee/Marilee
I’m afraid your fairy looks like a cyclops! I think you’re missing something here – don’t forget the two eyes are separated by the bridge of a nose, and you’d see that separation even in profile. Unless you deliberately want your fairy to seem to have a single large eye, which I don’t think, then I think you need to go back to the drawing board a little.
Corrie
You’re right! So move it back & show some of the bridge of her nose, seems obvious now!
Hello,
That made me think of my Tooth Fairy card, that never sold.
http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/congratulations-cards/lost-a-tooth/from-tooth-fairy/tooth-fairy-lost-tooth-867847
Not sure if my “rhyme” is too bumpy, or if the picture is just not that appealing… or both.
Any help appreciated! Thank you very much, again!
Gerda
Gerda, that’s a really great card!! I wouldn’t change the image a bit. You’re right, the inside verse is a little “bumpy” but I still think it’s very good. Maybe the 4th line could read: “and I hope it makes your smile bright”. The last line might be a little awkward too, but it’s also pretty cute so I say leave it.
I made this card with an ‘architect’ in mind. I like it because it is simple and clear message and would like to make a series of such CAD cards.
http://www.greetingcardsuniverse.com/other-birthday-cards/greeting-card-892501?aid=179301
Would be very helpful to get a critical review on this. Thanks.
Looks okay to me, but I wouldn’t do the inside text in all caps. Many people think that means “shouting” and find it rude.
Corrie
Thank you Corrie. I will change it.