Designing a Business Card
Personal business card: designed using Bodoni MT Std and Avenir Next LT Pro. Mock-up template: from inscribemag.com.
Project 02 | Introduction
In this project we were asked to design a personal business card "to learn how to use typography in both a decorative and informative way" (BYU-I Project 02 Brief). We were required to effectively organize the information on our card to make it simple for the viewer to find out who we are, what we do, and how to get a hold of us. The card needed to be 2" x 3.5" and could be set in either a landscape or portrait orientation. We were required to use the fonts from the student font pack, as well as 2-3 spot colors in our design. We were also asked to design a coordinated back for our card, which would function primarily in a decorative manner. Additionally, our business card design should communicate a sense of our personality, both effectively and beautifully.
In this project we were asked to design a personal business card "to learn how to use typography in both a decorative and informative way" (BYU-I Project 02 Brief). We were required to effectively organize the information on our card to make it simple for the viewer to find out who we are, what we do, and how to get a hold of us. The card needed to be 2" x 3.5" and could be set in either a landscape or portrait orientation. We were required to use the fonts from the student font pack, as well as 2-3 spot colors in our design. We were also asked to design a coordinated back for our card, which would function primarily in a decorative manner. Additionally, our business card design should communicate a sense of our personality, both effectively and beautifully.
Business Card Design Front
Business Card Design Back
Design Details
We were encouraged to use the letters of our name as creative design elements. As you can see, I chose to combine my initials in order to design a personal logotype. I chose to make my logotype the focal point of my card by using the design principle of scale contrast. Additionally, I encased it in a relatively large circle and used contrasting colors to draw further attention to it. This strong focal point quickly draws ones focus into the card, while the use of cascading scale forms a workable hierarchy, which directs the viewer's attention in a meaningful way throughout the design.
I had a good time experimenting with the Gestalt law of closure to create a fun lost and found circle. I feel this effect provides added interest to the design. I also enjoyed the idea of using both left and right alignments to help create asymmetrical balance. It is also interesting to note how the shape of the body text works to frame and support the circular focal point, even creating its own circular shape and movement.
We were encouraged to use the letters of our name as creative design elements. As you can see, I chose to combine my initials in order to design a personal logotype. I chose to make my logotype the focal point of my card by using the design principle of scale contrast. Additionally, I encased it in a relatively large circle and used contrasting colors to draw further attention to it. This strong focal point quickly draws ones focus into the card, while the use of cascading scale forms a workable hierarchy, which directs the viewer's attention in a meaningful way throughout the design.
I had a good time experimenting with the Gestalt law of closure to create a fun lost and found circle. I feel this effect provides added interest to the design. I also enjoyed the idea of using both left and right alignments to help create asymmetrical balance. It is also interesting to note how the shape of the body text works to frame and support the circular focal point, even creating its own circular shape and movement.
Style Guide
I also created a workable style guide for my business card project. A style guide is a very useful tool, which can be use to recreate a particular design with accurate results. It is an effective way to keep track of the fonts, colors, and design elements used to create a particular project. Below, you can see the style guide, which I created for this project. It shows the CMYK breakdown for each of the spot colors, as well as the font families and the specific styles and sizes used in the design.
I also created a workable style guide for my business card project. A style guide is a very useful tool, which can be use to recreate a particular design with accurate results. It is an effective way to keep track of the fonts, colors, and design elements used to create a particular project. Below, you can see the style guide, which I created for this project. It shows the CMYK breakdown for each of the spot colors, as well as the font families and the specific styles and sizes used in the design.
Style Guide: design, colors, and fonts.
*The information used in this card is fictitious.
*The information used in this card is fictitious.
