“I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things.”
Straight to the point, right?
Those are the words of graphic designer Lindon Leader, who helped global brands like Avery, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines and Toyota communicate more clearly.
For the unfamiliar, his celebrated FedEx logo includes a ‘hidden’ arrow between the E and the X. The logo does way more than state the company name. It suggests clearly and simply that FedEx can get your package from A to B on time.
In this article, Mark La Rosa, Art Director and Creative Manager at Vistaprint, takes inspiration from Leader by showing you how to communicate your profession and expertise on your business card clearly. Mark covers a few real-world examples from different industries to put his advice into context.
Check out Mark ́s business card design tips below:
Business cards for the creative industries should showcase your talent
As the term suggests, working in photography, design or communications often affords you more creative license to express your personal style. Your business card represents you as a professional freelancer or small agency, not a large company. So, choose or design a card that captures your unique style and personality.
Create a repeating pattern using your logo or a tool of the trade to add depth to your business card background.
Let your personality show through. This might be your first introduction, so include something unique about working with you or simply say ‘hello.’
Whether it’s the logo you’ve designed or a catchy line of copy that summarizes your skills, this is your chance to showcase your expertise, so put it front and center.
Personal trainer and fitness business cards should be well-defined
Fitness is a broad and competitive industry. So, your business card needs to stand out, showcase your specific area of expertise and convince people to choose you from the competition in a crowded market.
If you focus on strength training or other types of physical conditioning, consider an expressive logo and bold color palette to communicate a sense of power and definition.
If your area of expertise is healing exercise like Yoga and Reiki, pastel colors and natural textures help communicate the nourishing effects of your classes.
The back side of your business card has enough space to list certifications or testimonials. These details prove your ability in your field, instill confidence and increase the likelihood of recommendations.
Cleaning services business card designs can demonstrate attention to detail
If you’re in the business of making things clean and beautiful, your business card should communicate those qualities. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be a stark white card. There are various ways to transmit the benefits of using your cleaning business to people who pick up or receive your card from a friend.
Do you use environmentally-friendly cleaning products? A craft paper texture and green color accents are an effective way to show you’re environmentally-conscious.
Showing the tools of your trade helps people understand what you do at a glance. This also helps you keep the text on the front side of your card to a minimum.
Your card should always clearly state what you do, but also let your clients know what’s different or unique about you. Whether you specialize in industrial or residential cleaning, mention your services or show them visually.
Restaurant business card designs should whet the appetite
Whether it’s your food or your emblematic building that takes center stage, let that show on your business card. Remember, people might be picking up business cards in your restaurant, receiving them in a hotel lobby or from a friend as a recommendation. So, it pays to capture the memorable aspects of your business on your card.
Do you use locally-sourced or 100% organic ingredients? Differentiate yourself from those that don’t to capture the environmentally-conscious audience.
Are you an established restaurant with an enduring history? Many well-established restaurants use the strength of their name in a classic font with their essential contact details. This simple look conveys confidence and reputation.
If you specialize in decorative desserts or elaborate wedding cake designs, show people what you’re capable of creating on your card.
Start shopping
