In an industry full of local competition, both amateur and professional, it was of the utmost importance to ensure Jennifer stood out. To do this she needed to have not only a logo that allowed her to stand apart from others, but a piece of branded material that could be handed to people and have them remember her. This was accomplished with a business card that would captivate any potential client.

Not just any business card was needed, but one that was simple, clean and had a “WOW factor”. This “WOW factor” was achieved with a 14pt card stock, rounded corners, as well as a varnish on the front covering just the camera lens and typography.
To see the varnish in action, check out the video below.

Shot with a Canon Rebel T2i

Business cards don’t have to be overly complicated, they don’t need to explain to people everything that you or your business is. The important of a business card is to get people interested in your business / services and to attract their attention and keep. If this is executed properly it will leave a lasting impression.

Recently I had the opportunity to create a whole new brand for Country Classic Home Designs and the first thing that was created was a new business card. (The logo design will be featured later.)
These business cards have a silk finish, front & back, on the front only a varnish stripe design to compliment the redesigned logo. The varnish is subtle but gives the card design that extra professional flare.

Shot with a Canon Rebel T2i

It’s a hard concept for a lot of people to grasp, but we, the designers, have became a knowledge based industry. This is not only hard for other designers to grasp, but think of how hard it is for a potential client to grasp this. They are going to pay you X amount of dollars for something they may not even be able to hold. In a way we have become more like Lawyers and Architects, where our knowledge is our service.
So the question becomes, how can someone present themselves, and the business, outside of a digital space so the general public and other local businesses take what designer do seriously, when anyone with a pirated copy of Photoshop can claim to be a designer?

Well this past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in the local Home & Leisure Show. Not only was this a good way to show the general public that graphic design is a serious business, but more importantly, it showed local small businesses that web design, print design and visual branding is something that needs to be taken more seriously.
And the general response was really good.

The most important thing was to have a booth that actually stood out from everyone one else showing how effective design can be. And as I always say, keep with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) philosophy.
Or… Less is more.
Prior to the event, the other most important thing that was done was actually researching the websites of the local businesses that were going to be presenting. This gave the opportunity to put mini portfolios together on my iPad and go to these businesses and show what it is that they “could” have for a website and how effective proper design will be for them.

So next time you’re trying to figure out how to draw in more people or how you can make a better impact locally. Don’t just stay in the digital realm, get right in their face. Being social in the real world can be far more effective. Especially when you show them your are a professional.

The video below is 180 degree shot of the alley I was in for 2011 Home & Leisure Show I attended. As you can see, even in the real world, good visual design has a greater impact.

Last year one of my friends got married and I wanted to give them a truly personalized gift. I discovered a few months before a small shop had bought a laser etching machine, so I approached them about laser etching a wine bottle.

Essentially this was an experiment, since they had never done a bottle before. I prepped my design, sent it in and the shop gave it one quick run through on a spare bottle. Everything turned out fine so we proceeded with one of my wine bottles. Below is the video I was able to capture of laser etching mixed with footage from the reception.

If the video above doesn’t load, click here to see the Wine Bottle Laser Etching.