Design Aspects of Business Cards That Require Attention
Business cards are small cards, typically no more than four by six inches, bearing business details about an individual or a business. They are usually shared during informal introductions as a personal memory aid and a convenience. They may be handed out to colleagues and friends, or distributed at conferences or expositions. These small cards, together with envelopes, make it possible to send multiple copies of the same brochure or advertisement without wasting time and effort in sending them out individually. They are also commonly given to customers as gratitude for purchasing a product or service, or as a promotion to attract new business. Today, business cards are considered a necessary medium of establishing long lasting professional relations and frequent communication between colleagues and clients.
In their practical usage, business cards serve as the visual representative of an individual or a business. It conveys an image of the person to whom the card is issued, especially if the person is not present to take the card personally. As such, it is important that the image conveyed by it should not be overly exaggerated. It should be simple, clean, clear, and pleasant to look at.
Before actually handing over a business card, a person would want to create an impression of himself or herself as well as of the company with which he or she is associated. For this, the business card should be pleasant to look at. Its appearance, or the way it looks on the page, is one of the most important elements of its success. In order to create this first impression, the design should be carefully thought of, including its colour and the images incorporated on it.
When designing business cards, the graphic designer will have to take into consideration the organisation’s name and logo as well as its address and telephone number. The font used for text and contact information should be legible and appropriate for the kind of business the card is meant to represent. Aside from this, size, shape, and colour are also crucial considerations that have to be taken into account. If these components are appropriately complied with, the business cards will look professional and inviting.
The font used for contact information on business cards should be of a sufficient size to be easily read. This means that it should not be too small nor should it be too big. It is advisable that its size is proportionate to its colour; a small contact detail in a medium-sized business cards will most likely not be noticed. In addition, a card without any contact details is looked upon as not very professional.
Apart, from the fonts, other design aspects of business cards that need to be given due attention include the design of the logo, whether it is a logo that has been decided on before or one that is randomly picked, and whether it has an elegant, classic, old-fashioned, or modern look. The background colour of business cards is usually of primary importance since it usually portrays the tone of the company that is represented by the logo. For instance, dark business cards may be representative of a serious, prestigious, and progressive business firm. Light coloured business cards, on the other hand, may be indicative of a playful, friendly, and whimsical enterprise.
