LOGO The Steps to Creating a Business Card

California State Standards CTE Standards  AME.A.A2.1 Analyze the way in which technical design (e.g., color theory, lighting, graphics, typography, posters, sound, costumes, makeup) contributes to a performance or presentation.  AME.A.A2.2 Know the component steps and skills required to design, edit, and produce a production for audio, video, electronic, or printed presentation.  AME.A.A2.3 Use technology to create a variety of audio, visual, written, and electronic products and presentations.  AME.FS.4.2 Understand the use of technological resources to access, manipulate, and produce information, products, and services.  AME.FS.4.4 Understand digital applications appropriate to specific media and projects.  AME.FS.5.5 Understand the application of research and analysis skills to the creation of content. California State Standards Proficient:  2.1 Solve a visual arts problem that involves the effective use of the elements of art and the principles of design.  2.3 Develop and refine skill in the manipulation of digital imagery (either still or video) Advanced:  2.1 Create original works of art of increasing complexity and skill in a variety of media that reflect their feelings and points of view.  5.3 Prepare portfolios of their original works of art for a variety of purposes (e.g., review for post secondary application, exhibition, job application, and personal collection).

Objectives  Students will describe the process of designing a business card.  Students will create an effective business card design.  Students will demonstrate proper knowledge of the tools of industry, standard software for modification of digital images at a proficient or advanced skill level for preproduction, production and publishing.

Purpose of a Business Card The main purpose of a business card is to convey your contact information to a potential client. Most business cards contain your business name, your name and title, your telephone number, an address, and a street address. If your company has a website, include its address so that customers can receive more detailed information through it. It could also include contact information like your Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Be careful not to put so much information on the card, that it becomes hard to read. A business card also:  Helps Customers Remember You – A business card is something tangible you leave behind that helps customers remember you after the first meeting. Some people put their photo or a personal message on the card also to help customers remember them.  Relfects Your Company's Values – A business card should convey the company’s values and approach to business, through the use of the logo, color and design elements.  Differentiates You From Competition – A business card should be unique and differentiate you from the competition.

Steps to Creating a Business Card Design  Step 1: What is the size?  Step 2: What information needs to go on the card?  Step 3: What is the purpose of your card?  Step 4: How will you make it match your logo and/or other business materials?  Step 5: What design elements might you include to make your business card more interesting?  Step 6: Are you going to print on the front and back of the cards?  Step 7: How will you make your business card appeal to your target audience?

The standard size of a business card is 3.5” wide x 2.5” high or it can be flipped to 2” wide x 3.5” high. Your images and color can go to the very edge of the paper. When you set up the design you will actually have to have them go outside the box by a ¼ of an inch. This is called a bleed and allows for the printing company to print the card with out white space being left at the edge. Step 1: Size 3.5” wide 2” wide Generally you don’t want any type that needs to be readable to go to the very edge of the card. You want to keep it at a minimum of an 1/8’ away from the edge, but to be safe a 1/4” would be better.

Some people design different size business card or specialty cards. Step 1: Odd Sized Business Card

Step 2: Information Information for the Business Card Business Name (if not on logo) Name of the Person the Card is for Title (Owner, Manager, etc.) Address: City, State, Zip Phone Fax Website Other contact information: You Tube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Step 3: Purpose What is the purpose of your card? Do you want to promote your business? Do you want to give it to people so they can contact you? Your purpose will affect how much information you put on the card and what the design looks like. For example if you want people to contact you then you want to put a lot of contact information on your card. If you are using it more for promoting your business then you might want it to look more flashy with only important information.

Step 4: Unity How will you make it match your logo and/or other business materials? If the company logo uses specific fonts and colors then the business card should use those same fonts and colors. If the company uses similar design elements in their logo and advertising then those should be used in the business card also.

Step 5: Design Elements What design elements might you include to make your business card more interesting? Are their images, photos or elements of your logo you could use as graphic elements in your business card design? Adding design elements to your card can make it more interesting and eye catching.

Step 6: Front and Back Are you going to print on the front and back of the cards? If yes, what goes on the front and what goes on the back? Printing on both sides of the cards adds cost to the printing. However, it is an effective way to put more information on the card. Many companies put the logo on one side of the card and the contact information on the other side of the card.

Step 7: Target Audience How will you make your business card appeal to your target audience? This is an important question. Who is your target audience? Are you using colors, designs and images that would appeal to that target audience?

Examples