Believe me, I understand. Company logo, show logo, dates, location, description, ordering info gets to be pretty dull. It's really true that many prospective ticket buyers are so numbed by information overload that they need a jolt or a jab to wake up and pay attention. It's also true that an ordinary, conventional postcard layout doesn't do much for a designer's portfolio. (I have a pocket in my portfolio where I stick the blah stuff just in case someone wants to know if I've done something plain or extremely specific.) However, when looking for that intriguing graphic or word play that will prick or zap your readers, it's easy to forget the fundamental message -- what it is and why readers should care.

Continued in the September 12 edition of Arty Face.