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Green Comma Media

Animation, Illustration, Design

No Self-Portrait on My Business Card

January 15, 2016 By hilaryschenker 6 Comments

Last month I wrote a blog post asking whether I should include my pen and ink self-portrait on Hilary Schenker Self-Portraitmy Green Comma business card. I got a lot of positive comments on the blog and Facebook, mostly pro self-prortrait. But in private the tide began to turn against including it on the business card.

First I got an urgent-sounding voicemail from my father–“Hil, I don’t think you should put the portrait on your business card.” Some other people complimented me on the portrait but hinted that it might be better for other online uses. They didn’t want to say anything negative online, because they loved the portrait, but they just weren’t sure. Then over dinner at Church Brew Works, an experienced designer friend helped me work through the issues.

In the end I decided not to include the portrait, and here are my reasons.

  1. I enjoy doing business with some larger businesses and organizations (Universities, museums, etc.) and would like to expand those relationships. Having a self-portrait on my business card might make my business seem more boutique-y.
  2. Green Comma Media is a solid business name. Having the self-portrait confuses the brand identity.
  3. Though I’m clearly the owner of Green Comma Media, the name is open to any number of collaborators or employees. Having the self-portrait shrinks the business. (In a similar vein, there are many who advise against calling yourself a “freelance________,” in the belief that it may make your business seem less serious.)
  4. Though I do some pen and ink illustration, I focus on animation and other media, and the portrait gives a limited view of my style.

I’m still glad to have created the self portrait. It’s now my avatar for my business email and twitter account, and may come in handy for other uses in future. But for now, my business card is keeping it simple and focusing on the green comma.

One final thought: Though I decided against the portrait, I’m very thankful to have a supportive online community who focus on the positive–thank you!

Also, let me know if you need a business card–I have 200 to get rid of  😉

Business Card Front.
Business Card Front. I went with some thick, fancy recycled card stock. The paper is smooth but has a slight tacky feel to it, feels good in your fingers. Phone number is photoshopped out in this photo but it’s there in real life above my email.

Green Comma Media Business Card Back

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Phoebe says

    January 15, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Oh it came out so classy!! Love it! Good call.

    Reply
    • Hilary says

      January 15, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      Yay! Thank you Phoebe!

      Reply
  2. Marc says

    January 15, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    I think the card is outstanding. Strong, unique and echoes the green comma theme. Congratulations.

    Reply
    • Hilary says

      January 15, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you! And thanks for your input on the self-portrait before, too.

      Reply
  3. Sarah says

    January 15, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Love it, Hilary. (And yes, your reasons too!)
    May Green Comma flourish!

    Reply
    • Hilary says

      January 16, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Thank you, Sarah, for the good wishes and for your thoughtful advice!

      Reply

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  • Amy CampAmy CampOwner, Cycle Forward

    "I loved working with Hilary on two different occasions. She asks a lot of great questions to get to the root of what her clients are looking for. The projects we did together were so completely different from one another, but I was equally thrilled with the end product both times!"

  • Jennifer McKinneyJennifer McKinneyJennifer McKinney Photography

    "Thank you Green Comma! Hilary was so easy to work with and I love how she could put so many of my ideas into one single, concise design."

  • Terese JungleTerese Junglet.jungle design

    "Working with Hilary on our postcard concept was a pleasure and great success. She was able to perfectly illustrate our marketing strategy to communicate to our demographic. And the process was professional, efficient, and fun."

  • Valerie MonacoValerie MonacoFounder, Tally Trove, LLC

    "Hilary offers her clients both creativity and a collaborative spirit. I've received many compliments on the icon that Hilary created for the Booth Scout mobile app. It makes a wonderful first impression!"

  • Neela VaswaniNeela VaswaniGrammy Winner & Author, NCV Foundation

    "Hilary Schenker is a brilliant artist and consummate professional.  Her design, work ethic, understanding of social media, and dedication to her clients is unmatched.  Working with Hilary was a rewarding experience. She really listened to what I wanted and what I needed to achieve, then brought my ideas to life--all while sticking to my budget."

  • Jordan LippmanJordan LippmanExecutive Director, ISA Learning, Inc.

    "Hilary initially impressed me because she showed a sincere interest in our vision, but the illustrations she provided exceeded my already high initial expectations"

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