Open Circle Productions was a new business, with no identity colors and no logo. We were initially brought on for web design services, but after this client took a gander at their new logo, the desire for adding printed materials to this job came into play with business cards and clothing.

Quality business card design is an element that too many people overlook. When anyone can drop into a generic print shop and choose card stock and their favorite font, come back in a few days and have a large quantity of business cards for a very reasonable rate, the idea of paying a graphic designer for the job may seem like overkill.

It's actually a very sound business investment. A potential client may not be familiar with your work, may have never seen your website, the card holder may not know you at all. Their only contact with you and your service is through a small piece of cardboard.

Now think of the number of people with business cards. Consider the number of business cards you have ever been given. How many of the cards you have received prompted you to hire a service? How many of these business cards are memorable in any way whatsoever?

If a small piece of cardboard is the only opportunity you have to represent yourself with a potential client, shouldn't it be fabulous?

Adding clothing displaying the client's logo was also far more than a fashion choice or a simple way to advertise. This client happens to be a videographer. Whenever he goes on a shoot, wearing clothing bearing his company information does help advertise his services. It also gives a more professional look to what he does, and adds a cohesive look for his employees as well.

Generally, adding a logo to clothing is very simple. This makes this type of job very inexpensive design-wise, and the largest expense is purchasing the materials to be printed. Better quality fabrics tend to 'wear' better, keeping your logo 'fresh' longer.

Mark Hanson was a known expert working with another firm when he decided to branch out, with no identity colors and no logo of his own. We were initially brought on for logo and web design services, but the necessity for business cards came into play soon after.

Vibrant use of color combined with a very clean design style makes this a rather unique business card. The highly contrasting use of black and yellow allow both easy logo recognition as well as being eye-catching.

Offering contrasting placement of elements also adds interest and breaks away from 'traditional' business card formats in use of both horizontal and vertical space.

This client required both a website and business cards to market their business.

While their website offers a great deal of creative expression, a business card is far more limited. This client offers artwork across multiple genres, so the idea of adding one type of work to express the entire contents of their gallery would have limited interest in their offerings. It would have been an attractive way of designing the card, but 'attractive' should never beat out 'effective' in a design.

The purpose of a business card is, of course, to gain business. The actual intent of the card can differ greatly, however. In this case, my client sought to advertise their website via business card. As this was the case, we wanted to create a card with an interesting use of color that was quite specifically geared to the use and placement of their identity colors on their website. We wanted people to reach the website, and find familiar elements, layout, and design.

This client could have chosen to have their business cards created at a generic print house, and they could have even requested the colors and fonts that we used in their site design. However, the consideration we took into creating these cards—to offer the flavor and personality of their site, that is clearly where hiring a designer is key.

This client initially required a book cover design. The design was meant to encompass a multitude of religions, while making reference to the religion of Unitarian Universalism. The Unitarian Church is often symbolized by a chalice (illustrated at the base of this image), 'housing' a symbol encompassing religious icons covering world religions representing most of the world's population.

This client was seeking to self-publish this book, but due to a serious visual imparity, was unable to complete the process. In short, she was unable to read the fine print in the publishing company's contract and publication instructions.

We stepped in and created the necessary copy write pages, the correct sizing specifications, and all other materials required for publication that our client had failed to complete free of charge.

This client was thrilled with our assistance, and then requested printed materials to aid her in promoting her new book and she is quite satisfied with the results.

This project was requested by a current client. The client was very satisfied with their business cards for their main business, but sought to add new work in a very different usage of the same tools. This client does cutting-edge videography for documentaries, commercials, etc. but was seeking an in-road into the wedding videography industry.

The main problem in this case, is that his cutting-edge clients aren't interested in hiring a wedding videograpgher, and couples planning to marry don't seek out the services of a documentary filmmaker. Two websites, and two sets of business cards were required, to keep these potentially conflicting types of work in separate genres.

We needed to create a business card directed to a different clientele.

This is another example of a business card designed with a specific requirement. While most cards are designed to provoke interest, express quality, and display integrity—this card was designed with another ideal in mind. This business card expresses feeling and emotion, a representation of a perfect relationship. In short-romance incarnate.

While people seek quality in workmanship when planning a wedding, emotions come to the fore. Designing a card expressing quality work just wasn't enough. This client required a bit of paper that would encompass the ideals of a perfect wedding; a perfect love.

While great design on mediocre paper can often get by (not to the client's advantage), in this case, it just wasn't enough. We recommended a far more expensive grade of paper at greater client expense.

Why? Because emotions work on a different level. People expect bunnies to be soft, and gas station TP to be harsh.

When a client plans their wedding, they want perfection. Generic card stock is just not appropriate for this type of job.

Why does this matter to you? Because we take the same amount of care in advising all of our clients of what they should choose and why. We don't suggest more expensive products or printing processes unless it is what would be best for your business and your bottom line. We design Business Cards that work for you.