Designing A Business Card That Doesn't Suck! (6 Pro Tips)

Summary

This video offers professional tips for designing effective business cards, emphasizing the importance of bleed settings in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign, legible font choices, and testing prints. It highlights the role of negative space for both aesthetic and practical reasons, such as allowing for writing on the card. The video also discusses standard business card sizes, the significance of a clear call to action, and the use of 3M Visual Attention Software (VAS) to analyze and improve design layouts, ensuring that the card's focal points and call to action are effectively noticed and accessible.

Takeaways

• 📌 Business cards are essential branding tools that help companies connect in society.
• 🖌️ Adobe Photoshop lacks built-in bleeds for print documents, making Illustrator or InDesign preferable for business card design due to their bleed settings and print-ready features.
• 🔍 The choice of font is crucial for business cards; legibility is key, so opt for standard, clean, and easily readable fonts.
• 📑 Always test print your designs before mass production to avoid costly mistakes.
• 📐 Negative space in business card design is vital, not only for aesthetic purposes but also to allow room for handwritten notes or reminders.
• 📏 Standard business card sizes vary by country, with the US norm being 3.5 by 2 inches and the UK standard at 88 by 55 millimeters.
• 📍 Ensure a margin of at least half an inch from the print edge to keep text content away from the cut line.
• 🎯 Business cards serve as physical call-to-action buttons; a memorable call-to-action can generate leads and make the card stand out.
• 👀 Use visual attention software like 3M VAS to analyze and optimize the gaze sequence and points of interest in your design for effectiveness.
• 🎨 Maintain a consistent theme throughout the business card design that reflects the brand identity, including color schemes, shapes, and typefaces.
• 🔄 Contrasting the front and back of the card can create style within the theme, such as different color backgrounds with contrasting text and assets.

Q & A

Why are business cards considered an essential part of a branding package?

Business cards are considered essential because they are useful tools that companies can use to reach out into society, providing a tangible way to share contact information and make connections.

What is the significance of bleeds in print design, and why are they important for business cards?

Bleeds are important because they allow for an effective cut to be made on the printed material, ensuring that all design elements remain neatly up from the print edge. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the design after cutting.

Which Adobe software is recommended for designing business cards, and why?

Adobe Illustrator or InDesign is recommended for designing business cards because both programs have built-in bleed settings and include printing crop and cut marks on the final PDF, which are essential for print design.

Why is font choice particularly important for business cards?

Font choice is important for business cards because the designs are small, and the text must be legible. A clean, standard, and easy-to-read font is preferred over decorative or fancy fonts to ensure information is easily accessible.

What is the purpose of negative space in business card design, and how does it benefit the user?

Negative space in business card design allows the design to breathe, making the contact information easily accessible and seen. Additionally, it provides space for people to write down messages, reminders, or notes on the card.

What are the standard sizes for business cards in the US and the UK?

In the US, the standard size for business cards is 3.5 by 2 inches, while in the UK, it is 88 by 55 millimeters.

Why is it important to test print your business card designs before mass production?

Testing prints before mass production is important to avoid costly mistakes and to ensure that the design is visually effective and meets the expectations before committing to a large print run.

What is the main purpose of a business card, and how can it be made memorable?

The main purpose of a business card is to act as a physical call to action button in the real world. It can be made memorable by including a quirky call to action, a discount offer, or relevant information that directs recipients to a website or provides a helpful tip.

How can the 3M Visual Attention Software (VAS) help in designing business cards?

VAS can help analyze the effectiveness of business card layouts by simulating the gaze sequence and points of interest scoring, which can provide insights into how viewers will interact with the design and help refine it for better engagement.

What is the significance of maintaining a consistent theme in business card design?

Maintaining a consistent theme in business card design is important as it relates back to the brand identity, ensuring that every decision, such as color scheme, shapes, or typeface selection, aligns with the brand's solid theme and creates a cohesive visual experience.

How can contrasting the front and back of a business card contribute to the overall design theme?

Contrasting the front and back of a business card can create style within the theme by using different color backgrounds and text colors, which can enhance the design while keeping it consistent with the brand's theme.