Having a business card is important. You can design your own on-line, but if you do, make sure you create a card that reflects well on your business, and offers the information your clients need.
Different cards have different purpose, and should be designed according to these four principles:
1) Define your message.
2) Incorporate visuals.
3) Choose your colors.
4) Pick the right font.
To illustrate how to work through the design process, here is an example of one of my cards. I used a simple design-it-yourself, print shop called Vista Print. They have hundreds of stock designs you can work from, and even offer some business cards for free, (before shipping that is.)
In my case, I wanted a clean look, so I went with a white background and a simple san-serif font. I usually prefer and recommend colored backgrounds for that extra attention getting POP, but since this card is advertising my writing skills, (and most publishers are known for ranting against writers who send manuscripts on flowery colored paper), I went with white. It also has the feel of typed print on white paper, which is what I am selling. So the card reflects the product. I considered using a “Typewriter” font, but that cliche is overused, and in my case, the “Design and Social Media” components of my services required the card have a more modern look.
The point here is that font choice is important. It reflects on your image just as much as those Bruno Magli Shoes and Armani suit. Oh and if you are even THINKING about using the “Hobo” font or “Comic San Serif”, — BACK AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD RIGHT NOW!
Also, unless you are working for The Vatican or are in the business of antique furniture refinishing, please stay away from Olde English. I don’t know why they used that font in the old days, but I think it had something to do with fooling the peasants who figured out pig Latin.
Script fonts? No. Not unless you are a romance novelist.
No matter what font you choose, the first rule is readability. The second rule is style. The third rule is no teeny-tiny type. If you can’t fit all your information on the card in 12 point type with some white space left over, use less words. Really. I know it’s hard to beleive, but we just don’t need to know that much about you.
Who are you,
Whatcha got to offer
How to contact you.
That’s all we need. Nothing more. (Of course I once knew a handy man who added the joke: “Bomb disarming by appointment only” on the bottom of his card. It was so memorable, I kept the card for twenty years, and never forgot the line.)
Logos are also important. As a person who worked in the sign business for over twenty years, one thing I learned is people don’t read. They scan first and look at the pictures. They only read on if you can catch their eye and their interest. So that apple logo will go on all of my Applesassy advertising. With that in mind, I wanted my photo on the left to have some sense of color balance with the rest of the card. So I chose a photo with some yellow in the background, to complement the yellow of the apple. I also set the photo in a blue border and used that same blue in the main copy. Balance is important in quality design. A good rule of thumb: limit your color palate, and repeat each element at least twice.
I designed the phone number to look a little “artsy” by omitting the dashes and parenthesis. I added my @Twitter address to show my involvement in emerging social media. The idea is to make the layout reflect the product. It’s the old adage of “Show, don’t tell.”
All in all, this is not the fanciest card I have ever designed, but the design reflects the product being offered, and in the end, that is always the goal.
If you need help designing your business cards, feel free to contact me. I’m always happy to help. Here, take my card…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I am trying to make a buisiness card, and i was wondering if it was ok to put the background of the city the company is out of, like for instance my company is out of Seattle, so could I put a picture of the night skyline on my card to make it more memorable?
Sure, that can work. Just be sure your type is not lost in the photo. either put the photo to one side, or mute the colors if you use it as a background.
A simple bold clear san serif font is usually best with a busy background.
Also make sure you are not infringing on anyones image copyrights. There are lost of free photos out there though. Check Flicker if you need to find one. -Good Luck!