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Table Card Xante Cafe by ~xloganx:iconxloganx:

Categories Designs & Interfaces > Advertising

©2006-2008 ~xloganx
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Submitted: June 1, 2006
Image Size: 531 KB
Resolution: 612×792
Comments: 10
Favourites & Collections: 3 [who?]

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Artist's Comments

This is a mock-sample table card as used in restaurants, cafés, bars, etc.

This could be a display ad for a limited time special that would normally not be on the menu for a cafe style eatery, to be placed at the table -perhaps in the condiments rack- to advertise extra deals to the customers.

We use things like this to show the capabilities of our commercial laser printer. Part of my job is to sit around and make this stuff. Most of it is your average "print" work like you'd see at a local commercial print shop. Is it standard, typical stuff? Yup. Is it kind of plain and not very interesting? Sure, maybe mostly, though some of it is interesting. Is it highly uncreative and unoriginal? Well, perhaps a bit, but it takes time and effort to come up with things. We really do go through some development stages. For example, these items must meet certain criteria; They must be culturally tasteful, universally viable and non-offensive (we sell internationally, after-all), they should represent the company professionally, they should display our machines capabilities well (color, resolution, line-screen, useable stock media, etc.), and most importantly they need to be affordable for our customers to print.
We (myself especially) continue to improve, grow and develop new samples and are moving into some more creative and commercially viable product samples that are producible on our machines.
Edit: I would like to add some brief thigs about the design itself. I had a basic color palette and layout in mind before starting. I chose them to fit in with a variety of styles you could find in any of todays cafes, sandwich shops or restaurants. After deciding this, I found some images on Phots.com that fit the feel of the piece, with common colors that also matched close to my palatte. The canvas texture background was picked to both mimic a tablecloth, upholstry or such you may find in such places, as well as to suit the printing method of laser printing; it tends to have a distinct pattern that can be very noticeable on solid fields of color. So this was a good choice as it added multiple elements to the project while accomidating the print method. The colors were either enhanced to match the existing palette, or the pre-choice colors were altered to suit by pulling directly from the images. The layout was tweeked until satisfactory for the final output (It's since been adjusted more, so I may eventually post that version). I had hoped that this piece would leave the viewer (potential customer) craving the items or similar ones - and from the feedback I've recieved, I believe I have done that. :nod:
So that’s it in a some-what open ended nutshell.
Thanks for stopping in.
And I hope to get more traditional artistic stuff, and maybe an illustration if I can find the time and inspiration.
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~mazred:iconmazred: Jun 2, 2006, 3:43:29 AM
Nice work:nod:

--
"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of." - [link]
~xloganx:iconxloganx: Jun 2, 2006, 5:42:35 AM
Thanks. :woot:

Now if I could just get more paintings done...

It'd be nice to have something other than what I make at my job. :shrug:

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Isn't this question rhetorical?
My Shop: [link]
<url=[link]
~olliesan:iconolliesan: Jun 14, 2006, 3:30:06 PM
nice work. at least you get to inject some kind of creativity into your work even if its not as much as you'd like. just curious, what kind of background/experience did you need for your job? or did you learn on the job? did you have to submit a portfolio? is it your career or a stepping stone?
i have 3 more classes to get a BA in graphic design, and i'm not sure how to start out or exactly what i'll end up doing.
sorry if i'm prying. i'll stop.
:-)
~xloganx:iconxloganx: Jun 14, 2006, 5:21:31 PM
Thanks. Glad to hear from someone in the same field of interest.

I tend to ramble, so this might be long…

My job is tough to describe. Mainly it consists of maintaining the product samples - mostly for our Ilumina Digital Color printer - and keeping them in spec with the companies graphics standards and policies, as well as presenting the capabilities of the machine's best quality. I guess you could say I’m a bit of a designer and that guy behind the counter at Kinko’s. Sort of. If you've read some of my descriptions you'd know basically I print stuff that depicts the production printing capabilities of the machine(s). see [link]

Yeah, sometimes they let me have a go at something really fun. Although, usually it gets simplified or modified until it's nothing like my original concept, or put on hold for more traditional designs (like post cards or flyers, ech). I do enjoy my job, sometimes more than others. At least, on occasion, I do get something to really work on that stays pretty much as I make it. I’m really pushing for some fun stuff, so we’ll see how it goes. Currently I have to design some samples that are attractive but "cost effective" to be competitive with traditional printing (our machine is a laser print device, as opposed to an ink press). This basically means some simplified designs - not necessarily standard, though - that have a balance of contrast, coverage and interest. In my opinion it’s a bit of a back step (since the Ilumina is full color capable), however, it is quite challenging to find the right balance. It’s very important to cater to the majority customer which, in this case, happen to be commercial printing companies. Otherwise, without those customers, we’d be out of a job.

I've been working in the print industry now for six years (Gosh, that sounds more impressive than it is) as some form of production art/graphic design/dtp position. I've learned much and still discover things everyday. Before that I studied at a private art school, but left after some financial difficulties and (regrettably) haven't been able to return. However, I think my experiences have been a good - though oft-times stressful - teaching aid. So, my knowledge is a little of course-work and a lot of hand-on experience. I also read lots of books and industry articles, and study everything I see. It’s amazing what the trained eye notices. Someday I hope to continue my education for the purpose of being involved more with the culture and peers of the arts - and a verifiable degree wouldn‘t hurt. ;) An 8-6 job just doesn’t leave much room for pursuing education or artistic endeavors.

Sounds like you’re doing well. You’ve got some nice stuff in your gallery, too, if it’s any indication of your talent. Keep at it, and read everything, and practice (I’m preaching a bit to myself here, too) I would highly suggest finishing school and pushing to make certain you get the education you desire. Push yourself, and make it clear to your educators your desire to pursue a specific study (though learning a bit of everything is useful, just make sure you focus and pick final courses that are centered around a primary dedication). Don’t just settle for the degree, strive for the education. Talk to people in the industry, make friends and network. Find some local designers, talk to them and see what they might suggest. Or build up several portfolios that show specific strengths and try to get an internship in a marketing department - maybe you’ll even find a mentor, or your first job. Check out articles online about specific titles within the “graphic design” field, there are plenty and growing. Think about your future goals, where you want to be, and see if you can plot a course to get there… we all usually have to start at the bottom and work up. It’s a tough, brutal and very competitive field. However, there are many of us whom actually prefer to work together instead of at throats. Be open to discussions and critics.

Oh, and pay attention to your finances, apply for every available source of aid available, and take a temporary job to get you by until something promising comes along... I learned too late the hard way.
Yup, I ramble… :eyeroll:

Hope that helps. Fell free to write any time. :thumbsup:

--
Isn't this question rhetorical?
My Shop: [link]
<url=[link]
~xloganx:iconxloganx: Jun 14, 2006, 5:24:06 PM
Oh, all that and I forgot to add...

I have a portfolio that I update constantly. I needed it for this current job. As will I for the next. I like to think this is a steping stone, as I keep looking toward my ultimate goal, however I take it one day at a time and see where it leads.

that's all. ;)

--
Isn't this question rhetorical?
My Shop: [link]
<url=[link]
`vaia:iconvaia: Jul 16, 2006, 9:31:36 AM
*wants cake and a latte now* :|

Looks good :nod:
My uncle owns a resteraunt here in town...
This is a heck of a lot better than the crap he's got on his tables, I'll tell you that!

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~xloganx:iconxloganx: Jul 16, 2006, 7:18:52 PM
heh, yeah it has that effect on people.. myself included. ;)

I hope that I can eventually get some freelance work for places much like your Uncle's Restaurant. Some places would be surprised how such simple things as nice looking place cards can increase sales. And it's possible to get them for a fair price if you look around, inquire with designers and printshops, and have an idea of what you'd like.

Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate every bit of feedback I recieve.

I like you 3D work as well. Keep it up. :thumbsup:

--
Isn't this question rhetorical?
My Shop: [link]
<url=[link]
`vaia:iconvaia: Jul 17, 2006, 5:24:22 AM
:thanks:

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Prints | Writing | Stock | Crafts
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