As a professional in the public relations field, it's important to make a positive, lasting first impression. One of the ways in which different publics interact with your organization for the first time is with a business card and/or letterhead.
Where to Start
When creating a business card, a good place to start is by creating a mood board. By examining the works of others and their successful designs, you can find inspiration of your own. Additionally, it's important to keep your organization's brand image in mind. If the brand voice is serious, then it wouldn't be wise to create a business card that comes off as playful.
You can effectively portray a brand through the use of color, typography, and any images or logos that you opt to display. The primary goal is to generate something that aligns with your organization's brand while providing key information, such as a name, e-mail address, website, etc.
Things to Avoid
Producing a design from scratch is hard work! Nevertheless, there are some key facets to avoid in order to take your work to the next level. For starters, don't place too much information on the business card. The idea is to give individuals clear information about who to contact and how to do so. Things get complicated when too much information is being presented at one time. Try starting with a name, phone number, e-mail, and perhaps one other feature. Anything more and the card may begin to feel overwhelming to its audiences.
Next, avoid prioritizing creativity over readability. It's true that you want your card to stand out amongst others. However, it's vital that people are able to read the card at all. If it's too difficult to read or comprehend, it's likely that your card will end up at the bottom of the trash, like so many others.
Now, it's time to start designing! As you work, feel free to make changes and play with layout. Remember that a good business card ought to be memorable, but it should never be overwhelming or too "over the top". Keep trying, and I'm sure that you'll find a design that's perfect for you and your organization.
Comments