GCU Forum - Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits

DENISE_132110

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Posts: 769

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #45 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 1:22pm

for the newer people the reason i did all this was earlier when we had a huge discussion about BOC Tom and I were going back and forth with this design and that design so I said I would try to be quiet.... that was my attempt to do so Grin

Tom and I get along just fine as long as we don't talk about this. Wink

Quote from DENISE_132110 on Oct 16^th, 2009, 12:56pm:

Tom

mmmmmm trying to hold my opinion and tongue Tongue

tooo busy

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Tom_133317 Gold Member artist Posts: 2169	Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits Reply #46 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 1:27pm Yes we do. Knowing GCU, they will find a way to allow us to turn every little piece on or off, including color.
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Shari_132735

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Posts: 186

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #47 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 1:57pm

HECK NO!!!! Angry

I don't use the logo on the back of my cards because my icon doesn't go with my shop because I like my valentine bear. If GCU ever were to come out with the ability to create a separate logo on the back besides my profile logo, I might use it. But, all in all I only use text. I want my company name and my GCU URL link on the back of my cards.

I just recently made a sale of 350 cards of this design:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/shopping/zoom.asp?pid=312990&w=1&ref =details_large_view

If my link wasn't on the back then the recipient of the cards would not know where to get MY design to come check my shop out in the future if they liked the card. Now, I don't know why someone would buy 350 of 1 design like my late mother's painting of Toy Soldiers for Christmas. Whether it was for a company sending out cards or another business selling my design, I appreciate it! I'm glad my company name and my shop link is on the back. If we are not allowed to put it on the back, or if the option is given to the customer to remove it, I will either go back to embedding my shop link into the front of my cards like I had done before the BOC, or if that will not be allowed, I'll just close my store and add all these images onto my newly opened Zazzle shop and lock my link on the back so the customer cannot remove only that, but they will be able to redesign the entire card except that it they want. But, my shop link will not budge!

Is that enough of my 2 cents for you? I makes me angry that "MORE" controls are trying to be placed on our creativity. There's a reason, I haven't added any new designs to my GCU shop.

bearabull7
www.flowerswithfeelingscentral.com
http://flowerswithfeelingscentral.blogspot.com

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Audrey_132599

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Posts: 429

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #48 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 2:31pm

Hi Mindy,

I license my work to companies and it is customary to have an artist credit line on the back of your product. Usually it states: art by or design by Audrey Ascenzo. Unless you are one of the few top sellers in the industry, a picture is not used. Sometimes a picture of the artists may be used on the company's website with their bio.

I personally think it takes away from the whole package from front to back. Colors and style of design may not be compatible with your picture . Therefore, the whole card, from front to back does not always work.It would probably be best to take away the picture/logo.

Leave the artist credits, but only two lines instead of three. The name of the store is not necessary, as long as the direct store website is listed. This would look less bulky and may not bother the customer so much. Remember, less is more.

Blessings~
Audrey

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Tammy_131374

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Posts: 630

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #49 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 3:54pm

Personally, I've only had one customer request to remove the image from the back of the card since I have been at GCU and I feel it was a reasonable request because the cards were sympathy thank you cards. Since then, I've left the image off the back, but include a text version.
I believe the customers should have the option of removing the image, but the text should stay as it it does serve a few useful purposes in directing customers to our individual stores and it gives credit where credit is due. If customers feel very strongly about removing all of the credits, perhaps they could contact the artist and inquire about doing so. Then the decision would still be up to each artist to remove the credits and ultimately make the sale or lose it.
Perhaps GCU might consider redesigning the back of the card credits to allow the artist's information to be placed directly below the site's logo -then it may appear a little tidier.

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Joan_135833

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artist

Posts: 591

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #50 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 6:59pm

I'd like to concur with the idea of perhaps somehow streamlining the design of the back of the cards but not allowing the individual credits to be removed, even if the images are subject to review. Given the nature of this company (and its professed mission), the modest returns for many contributors, the practical effects and the giving of credit where it is due, as Tammy wrote above, I believe that the visible attribution is an important, meaningful feature that should not be tampered with.

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barbara_133221

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artist

Posts: 688

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #51 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 2:03am

I agree with what everybody said - the credits should remain on the back of the card.
For me, my cards (or at least 99% of them) are like my babies, first concieved in my thoughts, then drafted on the board, birthed on gcu (i know, sounds dramatic Wink

). My cards are part of me (that may sound dramatic also Wink

and although I do not love them as much as my paintings, I'm certainly very fond of them.
In the past, when I bought a card, I never looked at the back. Only the front and inside interested me.
So I don't understand why customers want the artists credits removed.
Agree with having the logo/image/picture reviewed by gcu to make sure it looks professional.
Maybe the gcu logo and text could either all be centered or all aligned to the right hand side.
And maybe all the text (gcu logo, artists credits, the top left paper info) could be in the same font, to give it a more cohesive look.
Or why not go for an artistic approach and design the back artistically - for example, design a clear, simple outline in grey or a not too bold color of a standing easel with a canvas propped on the easel and with all the information (gcu logo, url, artist info and pic, paper info) written on the canvas ?? ) Not too big and overwhelming, but in a simple and elegant way. Don't know if it's a good idea, maybe I'm rambling and having some funny ideas....... Roll Eyes

cheers, barbara

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« Last Edit: Oct 17^th, 2009, 3:03am by barbara_133221 »

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Paul_133086 Full Member artist Posts: 217	Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits Reply #52 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 7:57am Tom, I usually agree with all of your suggestions. But the back-of-card you're proposing looks a little busy. Just my opinion.
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Neva_136472

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Posts: 192

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #53 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 10:04am

I agree, I think the artist should be the only one who can remove or add any thing to their credit on the back.

What happens if a customer wants to buy 100 of an artists cards and they don't want or like the credit on the back? Personally, if I could sell that many cards, I would be tempted to remove the credit, if it would make the sale but, I, the artist, would like the option of saying it's ok to remove/change the credit or it's not ok.

I don't think GCU should control credit issues as much as help facilitate an option that's available between the customer and artist which is what this would ultimately boil down to.

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Ernestine_131365

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 853

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #54 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 10:28am

quote from:
Mindy
GCU Administrator
Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Oct 15th, 2009, 3:56pm

"We are exploring the option of allowing shoppers during the checkout process to choose NOT to print the artist credits on the back of the cards they order.

To clarify, this is just YOUR artist info. . ." Angry

_______________________________________________________________________________

Just our artist info?? --- Just our artist info?? Angry

What about making it the ARTISTS' choice??? If a customer is purchasing multiple cards for a wedding or has a sympathy card request, I can understand. (. . maybe. . . the GCU logo is still there Huh

) Anyway, a customer would have to contact the artist to request such a thing! And if the problem is with the logo/icon, give us a choice -- of letting us use a unique logo for the back instead of having to use the same profile pix, where many would prefer to use a casual portrait photo that may not be suitable for the boc. (I don't want my ol' 'mug' on artwork and products, but my logo is an important part of my whole marketing scheme, as many others have said as well.) Surely these "artist friendly" measures can't be that hard to implement. Huh

'e'

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Ernestine_131365 Gold Member artist Posts: 853	Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits Reply #55 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 10:30am Neva- Looks like we were thinking the same thing at the same time! 'e'
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Shari_132735

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artist

Posts: 186

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #56 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 12:37pm

You know I commented yesterday how I feel about this subject. Angry

But, I wanted to add more. If it is GCU's idea to bring up this subject because they want to have more control and basically take away the reason why we "sell" our art on Greeting Cards and making it look like the customers are making this request, because GCU feels it will make "them" more money because the customer won't know what artist created the wonderful art they received, that makes me mad. But, of course, GCU wouldn't do that, would they?

If it is a question of the artist logo that was commented on not being necessary on BOC, I don't have an issue with that since I only use the text with my company name and my GCU web link so people will know where they can get more cards like the one they received.

As far as the Back of card being too busy, personally that's a lot of crock. I went to Sprout's last night and looked at their selection of cards and looked at all the different backs that they offer. All the cards I looked at were even busier than GCU's. Personally, whether it is a sympathy, birthday, friendship, etc, etc. it doesn't make a difference what is on the back. People look at the Front and the message inside. That's what connects with people. If they like that kind of card and want to see more of that kind of card because they liked the style, etc., then the back becomes important so they can hopefully get a website (since that is the easiest way these days to search out company presence), phone number, or whatever, to hopefully find out where they can get more cards like that one.

I have fine art prints on my Imagekind Gallery and also offer those images as Greeting Cards on higher museum quality card stock than offered at GCU. Their back is much classier than GCU's. They have their website address directly in the middle/center in a small not overpowering font as imagekind.com. Then below that they have a thumbnail of the image that is on the front of card, below/centered that image, is the name/title of the image, below/centered the title is my copyright Shari P., and below/centered from that is my imagekind weblink: http://flowerswithfeelings.imagekind.com/ , and below/centered from that it says in a tiny lighter italic font it says: All rights reserved.

To me, that is very professional museum quality, not overpowering, but gets the message across for anyone who wants to find the site where the card originated from in case they want to find it themselves. It also simply conveys the message of the main company "imagekind.com" clearly and cleanly so anyone can also check out the company that houses this artists work.

It is important to most artists to get recognition for their work. Especially those that are trying to make a living from their work.

Okay, that's all I have to say again for now. undecided

bearabull7
www.flowerswithfeelingscentral.com
http://flowerswithfeelingscentral.blogspot.com
http://flowerswithfeelings.imagekind.com/

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DENISE_132110 Gold Member artist Posts: 769	Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits Reply #57 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 2:04pm shari, i add on image kind and delete add and delete i think i have 2 images on there right now... can't seem to commit to it with everything else. but i did send you an email ( sorry i spelled your name wrong in it) and became a fan of your gallery there.
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Rosanne_132497 Gold Member artist Posts: 611	Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits Reply #58 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 4:35pm In common with many here, I would not like the customer to have the option to remove my logo. I use this logo on all my sites and it goes with my site names and and even my own name. My "red rose" is very important for my "brand recognition". Cheers, Rosanne www.redrosedigitalart.com
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Kathy_131728

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 610

Re: Feedback pls - Variable BOC Artist Credits
Reply #59 - Oct 18^th, 2009, 5:54am

Mindy, thanks for allowing us all to voice our opinions on this important topic. This is a very tough subject because it is about emotions on the part of the artist (who feels strongly about the art they have created) and the buyer (who feels strongly about a purchase). I can understand the artist piece, but I had trouble understanding a buyer that would not want an artist to get credit for what they had created. The only thing I could imagine a buyer could object to would be a logo. When I thought about my own cards, I thought perhaps someone sending a funny groomsman card would not want to see a yellow rose on the back.

So I thought more about logo and greeting cards. When I tried to think of the logo of popular greeting card companies, the only thing I could come up with was the way Hallmark prints their name. I don't know if the big companies have logos or not. So maybe a logo on a greeting card is not that important. I would be okay if my logo were not there.

The image by and url are more personal. I think it is vital that someone be able to see the url (just in case they really liked the card and want to quickly find more like it). If our name is just listed, then someone will go to the general GCU site and pull up all our cards without all that nice search information that is found in our stores that enables a customer to search just our store.

I would be happy to see the image by turned into a Copyright xxx field with the url below it and as others have suggested to have this information displayed below the GCU information so the eye is not wandering all over the back of the card, but the artist should get credit for the work they do.

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