http://webs.ashlandctc.org/csimmons/sites/designs/dump/hi-res/Postcard2.0.jpg
Edit: I’m not sure about the subheader fonts, but I’m pretty happy with the rest of it.
I do not like the monospace font. And if it’s not monospace, then your letter spacing is inconsistent between letters; for example, look at the 2 “m”'s in community compared to the rest of the letters.
Good eyes. I’ll fix it if I can.
I accidentally made a thumbnail 500px, then saved my .psd. So I’ve lost the hi-res .psd of it. >.<! Doh.
Once again, I fontFail.
Work on the typography, it’s not working well with the postcard
I like the “ACTC provides solutions…” typography.
The other typography sucks. 
I’m undecided as to a new font for the subheadlines (“Do you…”) and the logo, but yeah. You guys are right. They need to change. I’ll post an update soon.
Edit: Ok, I changed the subheadlines to Arial and it looks pretty clean and readable. But now I’m debating with myself over the logo. When I fix the tracking on those m’s it looks pretty nice.
Is there a reason I shouldn’t use that type of font that I’m not aware of?
Edit2: The low res fix (because I’m stupid + twitchy and saved over the hi-res rurrrr)
http://webs.ashlandctc.org/csimmons/sites/designs/dump/low-res/Postcard2.1.jpg
I think you should photoshop it so the laserbeams come out of the woman’s hand.
that type size won’t reproduce well at 100%
besides the already commented typography problems, it is very well layed out and eye appealing, the choice of colors and pictures is perfect.
the black text seams out of place
i like the Ashland community parts text
photos look too stock. no real soul or narrative that ties together, just “search results.” even the look and feel is different from image to image such as depth of field, color and focus.
do they not have a library of photography… or do they not want to spend the funding for a photographer.
as for subhead, no real need for the drop shadow / layer style applied, probably won’t be noticable in final size… or it will look poor.
composition is top heavy to the right.
logo could be larger, seems out of scale and disjointed, did you pull it apart from how they use it in their identity?
*also, stroke is usually a no-no like the mark has.
*check your leading/kerning on the “community & technical college.” ideally, your second line should align with the right edge of the line above (logo + ashland). probably have it as a second line so just track it in a little.
all comments above are suggested improvements*
what you have now will probably work for your audience, however it’s always better to put out the best product.
it’s not my cup of tea style wise, but not bad.
If anything I thing the choice of colours and layour is least appealing! It is so bright and saturated that it almost seems like some corny magazine ad than a postcard. [quote=thejoeknows.com;2348086]besides the already commented typography problems, it is very well layed out and eye appealing, the choice of colors and pictures is perfect.
the black text seams out of place
i like the Ashland community parts text[/quote]
The Ashland logo ought to be moved to the right. It throws everything off balance as it is right now.
I agree with the stock photos. I would try to use some more personal material, if a photographer is available.
And lose the black font.
I think you should ditch all the drop shadows and choose chunkier fonts (for the Do your employees etc)
Are you restricted to these dimensions and proportions?
i think you could benefit from doing it in portrait mode and playing with your text layout
the biggest thing you need to remember is that text does NOT need to appear in one straight line, and doesn’t need to be of uniform size/visual weight
Try and identify the action words in each sentence, and emphasize those,
A user should be able to only look at the key words and be able to piece together the overall message.
As for flow, “ACTC provides etc” should not be in the middle, it should be your two tag lines, and then the “deal-maker” sentence, and finally the logo
Wow, now that’s an idea. Seriously though, I think you have too much going on here. Different fonts, too many colors, a dude on a blow torch. I’d get rid of the black bars on the top and bottom.
I like it, woo you live in ashland? Or is your client in ashland, either way i like the postcard, its very ashlandy
The second catchphrase works better
@ Dark - lol, I got a palette from my school system they actually paid some agency (a lot) to make. So I have to adhere to it a lot and those are the only colors that even look decent. Everything else is some nasty shade of gray or really light blue.
@ guiness - You’re right on all accounts. Nice critique. Critique me more often please. 
@ Everyone - Thanks for the critiques, but the project is already moving and I guess this was the final project they wanted to go with. I would’ve modified it if I hadn’t blown my time making hideous designs… Cest la vie.
And as for a photographer, I’ve been begging them to stop wasting their resources (nice digital cameras) on people who aren’t going to use them and to let me have one.
I’ve even been studying photography like crazy so I could take some decent pics. But no one will help.
Maybe you guys could start a petition to get me a camera so I never have to use cheesy free-stock photos again. :beer2:
