Cool business card designs
Fancy some business card design inspiration?
There’s a nice business card Flickr set from dailypoetics that features (at the time of writing) 584 different designs.
Here are some that stood out for me:
The good people at LifeClever have also displayed a few of the business cards that they feel stand out in the collection.
Similarly, you can check out the choice picks of the business card bunch over at creative bits.
I particularly enjoy the card above with the burnt corner, and also the ticket design for The Dave And Alex Show.
What do you look for in a good business card design?
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Hi David,
Looks like fancy business cards is in the wind these days.
As I mentioned over at Aaron’s blog, your target audience has to be clearly defined. Somewhere on that list you’ll find a clothes peg with burnt-in text. If you want to attract investors, lawyers or property management businesses e.g, you would probably be better off with something more conventional. Yeah, it is a shame that some industries seems to ignore creativity, but a clothes peg business card will not make them change their minds.
Like with every other aspect or discipline of design, it’s all about the user.
It is also a fact that creativity needs restrictions, and a set format is a perfectly fine restriction to work within. There are lots of other things to do before you need to go outside the conventional format of a business card. Paper mirrors, holes, burns, illusions, different materials, mixed materials, bevels, cut-outs etc.
Like you mentioned, the one with the burnt corner is a great one. Incredibly clever, still conventional in format and material. I also love both the Four Seasons one and Visual Dialogue one.
If you, however, are trying to attract art movie creators, designers or people from other creative disciplines, you might consider going further in order to make a strong impact.
These all look really cool, but I’ve heard that money spent on expensive, elaborate business cards is wasted. Any truth to that based on your experience?
These are all amazing designs indeed, but we have to consider that some of them if not all have a more or less generous budget behind their creation.
Nevertheless the ideas were VERY good and exciting, thank you for sharing David.
You’re right about the need to define the target audience. I purposely didn’t include the clothes peg in my favourites because it obviously doesn’t work as a business card.
Your card needs to fit easily inside someones wallet or business card holder, not sit uncomfortably in your trouser pocket.
Mark,
You don’t need to spend a fortune to obtain an original, good quality card. Take the one above with the burnt corner - you can do that yourself.
According to Alison, the woman behind Super Capacity, her card (above) cost around $250.
Dimitris,
Again, you don’t need a large budget to create an original business card.
Check out the business card for Wigan Little Theatre. It’s a fantastic idea that actually saved the company money per card.
Those are some sweet cards. It’s funny - I felt like a badass with my cards that have roudned corners. I guess I need to step up the game. ;)
Great find. Love the SuperCapacity card.
You still accepting business card submissions? I’m sure you posted re that before(?)
I’d love to see how your cards look.
Johno, feel free to post any submissions here in the comments, using the ‘img src’ tag (image width 400px or less). Let me know if you were thinking of something else.
Cheers.
This is the card I use in Japan - the content will be amended soon.
Card is the same on the reverse, only flipped vertically.
Just a thought on business cards in general. I think business cards now serve a different purpose. Before the Internet, a business card was mostly a “contact details” card. These days, with everyone a few clicks away, I think the business card has taken on a new role: simply as a promotional item; and that, I believe, is a good thing because it opens up business card design… feeling a little tired, so hope that makes sense.
David have you seen the Edinburgh Cafe / Deli Urban Angel business card. I was in for lunch the other day and stole two because I liked it that much! I also quite like their new website which is very similar to the business card.
Jamie
I don’t think showing your card has worked. Let me know if I can be of any help.
I agree that business cards have changed, although I think the change is very slight. For me, the change places less emphasis on the physical location of a business and more emphasis on the online presence. Take my card - I don’t show my physical address, just the telephone number, email and web address. I’m a fan of keeping things simple. Of course if I was a wholesalers, for example, then stating the physical address is more important than in the design industry.
The business card’s priority is still to give contact details, so legibility is a vital.
Jamie,
I haven’t been inside Urban Angel, but I’ll stop in and pick up some inspiration next time I’m going past.
I like how you can scroll across Edinburgh on their website. It’s a nice touch.
Thanks for emailing it to me.
Very bold and simplistic, which I like. Did you not want to give out your telephone number?
Yes, the telephone number is an intentional omission. I used to have my telephone number on the card, but I now live in Japan, and my customers from Europe and the US would telephone me at 4am. Also, I’m not comfortable meeting potential clients on the phone - just a personal thing.
I like how you’ve cut away the corner on your card; a simple touch like this, not only reinforces that whole curvy feel but, helps to (physically) make your card stand out from the pile.
Wow, really cool design. I sort of like the idea of using moo.com’s moocards as visiting cards too.
I actually liked the Visual Dialogue card the best. I bet it’s a great conversation piece - “Hey, why do you have that cut rectangle in there?” :-)
btw, johno, your bus. card is very bold and striking - nice work with bleeds :-)
I too don’t specify the physical address on my bus.card, only the phone, email and http://www.
I wonder how many people add their blog’s URL to the business card, if any?
I love it when they use Helvetica!
Nice avatar johno ;)
About the cards, I really like how the burnt one works so well but I’m not sure what Super Capacity is trying to tell us.. also not sure if it would be easily scanned!?
Thanks very much for the compliment on my card.
Vivien,
I’ve noticed a few email signatures include the blog URL as well as the main website. That’s not needed now in my case after the recent URL move. Besides, I’ve never liked the word ‘blog’ as it’s too similar to ‘bog’ (British slang for toilet).
Ilker,
I agree with you that the Super Capacity card is probably the weakest of the examples, along with the Studios one. I guess by ’scanned’ you mean scanned for information?
I like the Visual Dialogue card, great design, a little different but still a business card.
The ones that are too different, like the peg or scratch and reveal ones, I believe end up being thrown out.
I agreed with Asgeir that “There are lots of other things to do before you need to go outside the conventional format of a business card”.
I see business card more than providing contact information. I consider it as am important and essential branding, advertising and sales tool. My mirror-image logo, the Shirro Iridescent Gold paper, metallic brown and silver ink plus matt vanish eludes the impression I wanted. Unique, classy and premium. Most people I met used these keywords too, which is exactly what I wanted. Usually, I would seize the opportunity to share with willing listeners on the importance of branding, advertising, design and production. Quite often, the conversation ended with an invitation to look at their company’s marketing collaterial. Well, I just open an opportunity to get a new client.
[…] you haven’t already read David Airey’s post on Cool Business Card Design, then head on over. A succinct post with links to some great business card designs. So, if […]
A great set of examples. I have one of the Super Capacity cards and it’s one of my faves. It’s flexible and “machine washable” actually. If you visit the site, you’ll see it’s branded around the idea of laundry - so this may give a little more insight into how the card came about.
Going through a rebrand for my own company currently I’m definitely keen on doing something different with the business cards. Thanks for the inspiration!
I guess I’m a day late on this comment. Nice links to some great business card resources. I love the Anni Kuan b. card. I’ve seen it before in one of those b. card books by Rockport.
Here’s my new design for my b. card if you’re interested. They still need to be printed though. *Phone # changed for obvious reasons.
I agree with you about the clothes peg / scratch and reveal examples on the Flickr set. I wouldn’t want them to promote my service.
Vivienne,
Your card sounds very interesting. Is it possible to give us a look?
Lorissa,
Thanks for the extra insight into the super capacity card. It’d be great if you were to keep me updated on your rebranding.
PG,
Rockport publish some excellent titles for design inspiration. I have a few myself.
Your card hasn’t shown for some reason. Let me know if I can help out as I’d like to see.
Wow, those are really cool. Those take a lot of creative thought, good stuff.
Hi David. I guess the thumbnail code from ImageShack doesn’t work on here. So here’s a direct link to my b. cards as the image is more than 400px wide.
Here’s your card inside image tags (I’ll probably write a post to explain how to do it properly):
Interesting die-cut. What was your reason for that? Very clean and precise, which I like. Thanks for linking to the design.
David,
The die cut is just a continuation of that same shape I have on my website. I’m just trying to tie everything together, color scheme and all.
I dunno how many of your readers are designers, but it’d be cool to see business cards, logos, etc. from everyone :)
Nice card. I’m a big fan of that blue(?)
Would be great to see More cards. If I remember, I’ll ask people on my blog to submit their cards to this post.
[…] you’re ready to print your business cards - Mac Do It Yourself or some great examples of what to do, or these examples … or make a heavy impression with metal. More examples here. Just remember […]
[…] I recently mentioned how I’d post this little tip after some of you had a few issues when showing off your business card designs (see the latter […]
Have just found another business card that I really like. It’s over at AEN Direct. I think it’s one of Brian Ling’s designs.
I strongly prefer a simplistic approach to design, and keep thinking of ditching the clouds in my header for something more typographic.
Hi David and johno. Imaginary Systems was the name of my previous venture and I designed the cards back in 2004. It was printed between 2 plastic laminates.
By the way, Brian Ling’s my client and also a friend. I designed his designsojourn.com site but he ’s not involved in AEN DIRECT creative work.
That’s about it. Like David said, I also prefer a minimalistic approach and avoid clutter and over-stylized design. I particularly like simple white and black japanese cards like these.
card 1
card 2
IMO, the Japanese language allows for good typography. A simple cards given with sincerity speaks more than a fancy one.
This is my latest card.
latest card
PG,
I see you’ve used your logo’s background on your business cards. Have you printed them yet? If yes, how did it turn out? Who was your printer?
The abnormal size, die cut, pocket for your business card - the printing cost must be huge? How much did u pay to print those babies?
Btw slick design.
Hi David,
Your designs are pretty impressive, but I noticed the design orientation towards media and like wise professionals. I work in Dubai as a Business Development Manager for a Recruitment Firm. The firm is traditional and conservative, but the way of working is now being adapted to the European / Western way. They have been using white background with letters in Red Green Blue.
I have seen a lot of ideas on your website, out of which I thought Supercapapcity card was the best.
Do you have designs that would portray the company as that which change and develop with coming times without losing the deep rooted tradition.
The designs are those of others, and not my own. I appreciate your comment though, and hope you have a great weekend.
Great designs indeed!
I recently saw a visiting card with metal logo pasted on it, it was real nice, i think its same technology used for making watch dials, any of you know the name of technology? am finding this from so many days but no luck so far
Regards
Ajay
I’m not familiar with that process, but good luck finding out.
Just came across this post - very nice designs! I’ll be sure to forward this to our designers for some more inspiration.
Glad you enjoyed viewing them.
Hi David.
I’m busy finishing my book “Crea-Art” and needed some inspiration. Your cards looks absolutely fantastic!! Take a compliment from a young designer with alot of experience! Just so sad that some very important businesses holds on to the plain type and white paper with nothing but seriousness being communicated and nobody can relate to that…probably why its forgotten in their pockets and ends up in the washing! There’s nothing wrong with putting a smile on a business man’s face!
Well done!!!
;-)
Adele
Hi everyone,
does anyone know a company that produces stretchy business cards? Or knows the material used for it?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Carolyn :-)
These aren’t my designs, but I’m glad you found them inspiring.
Carolyn,
The personal trainer mentioned in this article will know the info you’re after:
http://www.davidairey.com/good-or-bad-business-card-design/
Good luck.
http://inspiredology.com/graphic-design/cool-business-cards/
here’s another website with awesome business cards!!
I am both a Pharmacist and an Interior Designer and would like to design a cool buisness card to reflect both. Can you advise me how to go about this. should I have two separate ones or a single card
Kind regards
Lola
Lola,
My initial thought is that you should have two separate cards. Both professions are very different, and it might project a stronger image if you have them standing alone. Better to come across as a specialist, rather than a jack-of-all-trades. Even though you’re a specialist in both, not everyone will appreciate that fact.
Hi, just wondering if anyone knows where can I get business cards like the one from supercapacity. Does anyone have a website from the company that made that card?.
Thanks.