The All-in-One

So I decided that going along with my eco-friendly theme, I would not only combine the business card with the letterhead, but I would also make it the envelope as well.
I used textured paper (to go with the idea of roughness... from the grip tape, the cement, the concrete) to create this all-in-one piece.
I extended the top of the letterhead to include a cutout of the logo which wound work as the sealing point on the envelope.
The sides of the letterhead/envelope would be glued down on the edges and perforated approximately ..5cm into the letterhead/envelope to ensure the customers privacy. This would be torn off in order to fully open the letterhead.
Once opened, the bottom of the letterhead has an area which would be torn off, then within that there is a front and back to a business card that would be punched out (it is perforated) and folded along the middle (already scored). Then on the back of the letterhead (on the part that is folded INTO the envelope, there is a piece of double-sided tape (which is still covered) which would be used to hold the folded sides of the business card together.

Honestly, even though at times I just wanted to tear up the entire project (lol yes I said it)... I LOVE how my concept turned out. And the design isn't too shabby either. :)

Printing Issues

I think that graphic design is often limited by printing issues! The inability to replicate on-screen colors and dimensions is sooo frustrating!
I just had to let that out before I continue.

I went out an bought both premium presentation matte paper, and ultra premium presentation matte paper with the goal to find a nice thick paper to print on, so that double-sided printing would not be an issue. But now I've found myself with paper which is too thick for an envelope or letterhead (although it works great with my business cards!). So now I'm looking into different kinds of paper to print on. (Although it is VERY short notice to start doing this now)

When I printed out a mock-up for class I had used sketchpad paper (this is prior to buying the matte paper) because I needed a paper with a bit more weight to print on. And while I was expecting a blah kind of print out, the texture actually added a cool element to my design.
So now I would like to find a textured paper to print on that is a bit heavier than the sketchpad paper. I was thinking that some kind of scrapbooking paper could be kinda cool.

So I guess it's off to the store with me again.

Experimenting with Other Mediums

So I had this FANTASTIC idea to use transparency paper for my business cards. I figured using this would not only make my cards more durable, but it would also be helpful because that way I wouldn't have to use the green border (like i had been using before) and I could leave those parts clear (to encourage the idea of movement more). However, after a few test prints I ran into come problems.
A. When they say that the other side is not printable, they mean it. All I got was a pile of ink (which was kinda cool though, as I could press it against something else and get some pretty cool textured prints).
B. The printed piece is very transparent still. Go figure. (haha.. I guess I didn't think that one out too well) ... So being able to paste something to the other side (such as the back side of the card) wouldn't be very legible.

So while it was a cool idea... in practice it just isn't plausible.
I think that I could resolve my problems by printing my front and back on the printable side of the transparency paper, and then attach them together with a piece of paper only between the main part of the board, however this wouldn't be doable for mass production. Everything would HAVE to be hand done and it would be HORRIBLY time consuming for the client.

Coming Along

I've definitely gone into a different direction than what I was doing before, however I think it is for the better. My new identity includes more horizontal lines that help to promote the idea of streamline movement. And gradients are also utilized to evoke a sense of depth and territory.

Work in Progress

Below is an image of a sticker that would be used for promotional reasons. It could be adhered to a skateboard, bike, etc... and would be a convenient manner to post information regarding the shop.

Below is a working sketch of my idea for a business card punch-out ON my stationary. By including the business card punch-out on my stationary, I would be saving paper.

Below are 2 different ideas for the envelope design.

Below is the business card. It is in the shape of the logo itself.

Posting Stationary Ideas

I was intending to post my stationary ideas.... but after a long night of reformatting my laptop... I am now unable to even open any of my adobe programs... so until this is resolved (or at least until I get to class) I will be unable to upload my files.

Competitor Logos

Above is a selection of companies that would technically be my clients competitors. (Although none of them are really directly, since they are from all over the USA.)

Hopefully my FINAL logo

After some more revision this is what I've come up with...

Typeface Study

The typeface I am currently using for my logo derived from a bold and very clean one (Gotham Black). After choosing it I did a lot of work to the typeface texturizing and dividing it. However even with the texturizing, it still works well on top of the textured board in the background because it remains legible.
During the typeface study, I decided to see what it would look like if I used more textured and destroyed typefaces. That way I can have a more rugged and alternative feel. Below are my typeface studies... and if any of them work out well on my logo base... I'll post that next.