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A business card, with its minimal printing space, requires that the most to be said with minimal elements. This usually a name, an address and phone number, logo, and a description of services. For my card, I decided that it will have my name, and that it will have my website. They can pick out my other contact info on the website, so that is good enough. E-mail is provided as an alternative. Since phone calls are disruptive, I purposely omitted that info. For flexibility, I purposely leave an empty space where I can scribble my phone number if necessary.
What remains to be done, then, is description of my business. I work with both traditional and computer media. Something needs to be done to show that. After a few abortive descriptive attempt, I came up with this extremely short and to the point tagline: "Brush strokes. Mouse clicks. Graphic Artist." That sums it up nicely.
What I have done so far is pretty standard. Now it's time for me to go beyond high school stuff and into professional design. For my logo, not only it is custom designed, but that I actually commisioned a stamp for it. It costs me $15, but I think it's worth it since no high school kid is going to do that for a business card design.
I now try to think what I can do to distinguish my card beyond standard professional design. The way I do this is different than what professional designers would have done. Business card with full color background isn't a unique item anymore. This means that I have to do something better than that. A profesionally designed business card would certainly stop at that. I need something better. Also, it is certainly necessary to give a special benefit for my client right on that card, so that they will keep it.
The best I can think of is simply to provide an example of my work. Instead of providing a small copy on the business card itself, however, I actually draw the painting directly. This is something your average professional will not do, or even suggest. Even among graphic artist, how many of them will do this? I certainly don't know any. This original painting will make the client want to keep the card. As for special benefit for the client, I printed out information in the back of the card regarding the subject. Thus, the client will feel special for receiving a rare card, and will feel good for enriching his cultural knowledge regarding the subject painted on the card.
Any self-respecting professional will keep up with the trend. Great designers, however, make them. Since I aspire to be a great designer, I cannot copy others. I must have my original vision, that others find so inspiring that they will copy my idea. That is my goal in life, my aspiration as a designer and graphic artist.
Ramstrong
June 2001
Ramstrong
ramstrong@earthlink.net