OPINIONS PLEASE

[ronmatt]

http://img281.imageshack.us/img281/8528/catcvr14yx.jpg

As some of you know, I design and build furniture [etc.] for a living. It's time to create a new catalog and this year and I've opted to avoid the press and make it a digital catalog ( multi-page PDF with some flash or swish elements ). Anyway, Ive decided, for artistic reasons, to render my designs for the page backdrops, so to speak, and use inserts of actual photos of my products. The reason for this is threefoldfold. 1) I have redesigned almost everything but have yet to build them, 2) I like the look of renderings in a catalog, 3) I will no longer be 'mass producing' pieces, but rather will be doing 1 or 2 a month.

one of a kind signature pieces, selling at a much higher price point. ( I have the account base to do this now, and I don't need the money with the aggrevation anymore, as I once did) This is my first draft of the cover, and I will be posting a sample page layout soon. I post them because I need an opinion, (my family is biased, as am I). I will post this on Lunacore as well.

Thanks in advance

[dv8_fx]

I like your concept.

This front cover looks good. But I have to see the rest of the catalog or at least your format for the inside pages to see how it hold up as a whole.

If this is the size of the catalog, I like it. I'm very partial to this size 10x10. Black sets of the wood tex just nicely. Resize the cab and logo by 10%?

As for the logo...... fade or screen it down.

my 2 sens.........

dv8

[ronmatt]

Thanks dv8_fx, What I'm going to do at this point is get a concensus and then fine tune. I already know that I should reformat for the screen, probably 800x600. Most of my accounts are interior decorators, not computer people and are probably working with that resolution. But I'm not going to do anything with it until I get some more input.

[dv8_fx]

Oh dang..... cross-eyed me .... I forgot this is supposed to be in pdf format. But I do like the 10x10size print.

Yes, 800x600 would be best.

dv8

[AngelWhip]

my opinion, i like it. very pleasing to the eye.
i don't care for the font used on "Ron Matt Designs". i don't hate it, it's just a little hard to read. that's just my opinion, for whatever it's worth.

[ronmatt]

noted AngelWhip.. Deciding on a correct font is always an issue for me. I like squarish fonts but on my disks containing 50,000 (+ -) fonts, I've yet to find 'exactly what I want to use.

[Tempus]

I like the look but not the idea behind it. I think that you should build the product, photograph it, then lay it over whatever background you choose. A rendering of a piece of furniture seems somehow deceptive to me. I'd rather see a real completed piece before I commission something or buy it blind. Just my $.02 .

[ronmatt]

In a way, I've wrestled with that myself. But consider this, A) within the pages, will be inset photos and descriptions of the product with a background that will be somewhat generic to 'whatever' cover design I end up with. B) this will be going to 'existing customers' who have been purchasing from me for the past 12-15 years and have purchased from illustrations before. I'm not looking for new work. I feel that this piece will allow me some 'artistic license'. I want it to be designy. The only reason for it's existance is for my clients to show their clients. Most of them have sample pieces I've done on the floor to evidence the craftsmanship. As well as color/stain chips and finish samples. It's just 'getting the right image' for the base design. This one posted is simply a beginning in what may be a long process....Thanks

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by ronmatt

Deciding on a correct font is always an issue for me.

Suggestion:

[Moth]

The basic design of the of the front page feels right. However, I have to echo the comments regarding the font. It just does not fit. Shaun's font choice is better but I am sure you can find something "just right" in your font collection.