Winter Blues = Time To Talk Business!

 

It’s cold, windy and business can get a little slow around this time of year. All you really want to do is stay cuddled up in front of the fire with your dog. At least that’s what I want to do, but you have to tell yourself to keep going. I want to slack off so bad, but I have to get ready for wedding season which is fast approaching and the summer photo shoots.

Today I decided to do some research on business cards. Having a brand for oneself is one of the most important things. Do you have an awesome business card that stands out from everyone else’s? Does your business card represent the photography you produce? Maybe your business card is simple, but does it tell enough of a story? Your business card is the first impression of who you are and what you represent. You want your business card to be so good that no one wants to throw it away. You might ask yourself, how am I going to do this? Well, let’s get down to the basics.

Size: One of the most common thoughts is that business cards have to fit into your wallet. Why would you want to do that? People always throw things away that are in their wallet after things build up. Cleaning out your wallet is one of the best feelings ever. Don’t let people throw out your business card! You want someone to have your business card sit on their desk for a year. You want them to show 20 of their closest friends your business card because they can’t get over how creative it is. Below are some fun sized business cards that are a perfect inspiration.

 

(http://webneel.com/creative-branding-design-inspiration)

 

 

(http://www.designmadeingermany.de/2011/37970/)

 

Design: The design of your business card is the direct relation of how people see your photography. If your card is boring, you’re boring. If your card is too loud and hard to read, you can’t communicate. Everything is important about your business card from the spacing to the font that you use.

One of the first steps I always do is decide if I want to use a serif or sans serif font. Serif fonts are typically used for the text body, while sans serif fonts are usually used for headers. You always want to stay with the same type of font. If you mix it up, it can look messy.

After the font is picked out, I work on spacing. Spacing between words, letters and even lines is extremely important. When the appropriate spacing is read, it is easier for the reader to process the information. A helpful tip when it comes to spacing: check that the line height is larger than the font size.

 

(http://www.etsy.com/listing/150683912/custom-letterpress-business-card-and?ref=shop_home_active)

 

(http://www.behance.net/gallery/SLEEP-IN-HOSTEL-Branding/8309507)

Color: Colors are an important aspect when designing your business card because they can make a card pop. Colors can also communicate a subtle or an emotional message. Make sure you are putting thought into the colors that you pick. When working with colors, I always look at my most recent work and see if there are color themes that work together. If that is the case, I tend to lean towards those colors and make a brand for myself.

Examples of how colors are interpreted:
Red: Love, Energy, Danger
Yellow: Intelligence, Caution, Cowardice
Blue: Peacefulness, Confidence, Sincerity

 

(http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fruit-Bageechas-Branding-identity/7202803)

 

 

(http://www.behance.net/gallery/Techlion-Corporate-Branding-Project/8032209)

 

It's time to show us some of your favorite designs and colored business cards, along with your own cards! We want to see how creative you got! 

 

 

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