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Business Cards – Important or Obsolete?
With so many online networking tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter people are connecting with friends and colleagues in all kinds of different ways. That poses the question, “Are business cards really still necessary, or are they becoming outdated and obsolete?”
Online networking is very important in our day and can be very successful. However, I believe that the value of face to face communication will always be important. While online communication may limit how often we need to speak to someone face to face, there are still going to be those social gatherings, business meetings, luncheons, and networking events where people will make business connections. At these events you are going to wish you had a business card! And not just any business card. Make sure your card looks professional, credible and will stand out. I had a friend recently tell me that he was given a hideous looking business card from a sales rep. My friend questioned whether this sales rep had a reputable company because of the lack of professionalism in the business card.
How to Update the “Old School” Business Card
It used to be that every business card was white card, 3.5 x 2 inches, and included a name, phone number, address and logo. These days business cards are changing. Who says the business card has to be white? Who says the business card has to be 3.5 x 2 inches? While I recommend not getting into extreme shapes and colors, there are now many options and sizes for more modern business cards. Check out Techniques to Create Unique Business Cards. Presentation is key to selling something. While you are networking, you are selling your personal presentation and the final touch is handing someone a nicely designed business card that will be memorable and maybe even cool enough to keep.
Need some business card inspiration? Check out these business cards.
What are your thoughts on business cards? Have you seen any new trends?
Design Your Resume to Get Noticed
I was recently asked to review a resume to see how the design could be improved. With so many people reviewing and updating their resumes lately, I thought it would be appropriate to write a blog about how having good design can improve a resume.
Although the content and substance of a resume are most important, it is essential to present the information in the best way possible so that your resume will get noticed and stand out. The best way to do this is to make the resume visually appealing and easy to quickly skim over.
Let’s compare two resumes. Here are two average resumes, one that is somewhat cluttered and one that is better designed. I’ve seen the first resume style many times, and while I could have used an even uglier example, I wanted to show possible improvements to an average looking resume.
Resume Distractions
- • Part of the resume is centered with long, ragged type, making your eye jump from one line to another.
• The text is pushed to the edges of the paper and doesn’t have enough white space.
• There isn’t a clear focal point. The eye has a hard time following where it is supposed to go next.
• There are too many different formatting styles: Bold, Bold Caps, Large Bold, Bold Underlined, Italics.
Resume Improvements
- • Plenty of white space to improve readability.
• There is a clear focal point on the name, drawing your eye to it first.
• There are nice visual alignments that guide the eye down the page.
• The style and formatting is consistent through both pages.
• The headings are easily recognizable. Only 3 formatting styles and sizes are used: Large Bold, Bold, and Regular. This keeps the resume
consistent and prevents it from looking cluttered.
Everyone is going to have their own style and preference when making their
resume, but here are some basic tips:
Resume Design Tips
- Remember that the content is most important, so highlight qualifications and organize the information to draw attention to your strengths
- Use titles and headings
- Draw attention to your name by setting the font slightly larger, using a different typeface for the name only, or using a very simple logo icon of your initials
- Don’t use more than 3 typefaces or styles. This includes Bold, Italic, Caps, etc.
- Use an appropriate font size. Many people make the body text too large or small. Set body text no smaller than 9 points for sans-serifed type and 10 points for serifed type and no larger than 11 pts.
- Have plenty of white space. People are often tempted to fill up all the whole page and make the margins very small, but this makes a resume more difficult to read.
- Organize your resume so that it is easy to read and skim through quickly
- Be consistent in formatting the information
- Use color sparingly. No more than one color (possibly two if used wisely) in addition to black
- If you are making the text gray, don’t go lighter than 75% black
- Use paper with a plain smooth finish or a neutral color (nothing too extravagant)
- Once you are done drafting your resume, ask yourself if your resume is visually appealing
- Print your resume using a laser printer.
- Avoid unusual paper sizes
- Avoid excessive decoration (yes this includes floral borders, rainbows, animal icons and hearts.)
- Avoid centering everything. This can make a resume hard to read if there are very ragged edges because your eye doesn’t have clean lines to follow.
How does your resume look? What are your thoughts?
For other resume ideas/resources visit:
The 7 deadly sins of résumé design
36 Beautiful Resume Ideas That Work
Workbloom: Resume Designs and Layouts
How Graphic Design Can Help Your Business
“Designers can create normalcy out of chaos; they can clearly communicate ideas through the organizing and manipulating of words and pictures.” – Jeffery Veen, The Art and Science of Web Design
Graphic design solves communication problems by organizing information in an aesthetically pleasing way, and creating visual solutions that will best appeal to the target market. Every successful business builds upon a foundation of marketing and the use of their distinctive identity to promote their company and build a good reputation in the minds of consumers. Promotional displays and marketing materials for products and services, distinctive logos, websites, and signage are all part of creating a company identity and brand. When an advertising piece is designed well, it will attract attention, clearly communicate a message, and will have the unique ability to persuade and sell a product. Well-designed pieces make an organization appear more professional, successful, and appealing to the consumer and often builds trust in the solidity of the company.
Good graphic design makes it easier for people to receive and understand information. With so much information all around us, it is important to have good design that will stand out among the rest. Graphic designers help companies have good design that will make them look professional. Everyone has gone to the grocery store and stood in an aisle wondering which product to buy. Often one of the factors in choosing is the packaging–does it look nice and catch your attention? Similarly, a company’s brand needs to portray its products and services in a professional manner, so they will be the one a customer chooses.
Don’t know what marketing piece is best or how to improve your company’s image? Let me help find solutions for you. Drop me a line on the contact page!
Designing for Postal Regulations
When designing direct mail, postcards, or other materials that will be mailed, it is imperative to consider the postal regulations for a particular piece. Paper choice, thickness, and glossiness is also something to think about. Knowing postal regulations can help you design a mail piece in a way that will prevent it from obtaining wear and tear. You want to make sure your beautiful design still looks great after going through the postal machines.
• Need to know the mailing guidelines for postcards?
• Want to know if you need a protective coating on your artwork?
• Is your paper choice too thick for postal machines?
These questions, and many other can be answered by the Post Office Mail Piece Designer. There is a Mail Piece Designer in every area that can answer any direct mail questions you might have. Email your artwork to them and they will evaluate your artwork and test it according to regulations. If you send them a hard copy or paper samples, they can even test paper thickness and reflective surfaces.
Get familiar with the Domestic Mail Manual. This online manual gives the mailing standards of the United States Postal Service, postage rates for different sizes, and technical specifications.
The International Mail Manual gives the procedures for the preparation and treatment of mail sent from the United States to other countries and the treatment of mail received from other countries.
Other Resources:
USPS Postcard Regulations
Courtesy Reply Mail Templates
Do you know of other good resources for direct mail?
Good Logo Redesigns
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KFC Logo Redesign
KFC takes a dated graphic and updates it with a modern look. The angled backdrop makes the logo dynamic. Using black in the new logo gives it a bolder feel. The colonel has traded is suit jacket for an apron implying he is ready to serve you – this makes the logo feel more friendly and inviting. The lines are clean and the type is more readable.
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Dolby Logo Redesign
Dolby gave a nice refresh to their logo. The double-ds have been merged together, removing the visual separation that the old logo had. The new double-d mark goes well with the updated typeface. The box was removed from the “DOLBY” wordmark giving it freedom and space. This logo feels less restrictive, cleaner, and more unified.
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Toys R Us Logo Redesign
The “Toys R Us” logo has improved it’s color choice in my opinion by simplifying the colors from 6 to 4. The star is now inside the larger R which makes the logo more fun. I am glad they got rid of the rather unnecessary quotation marks to make the logo cleaner and simpler.
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Delta Logo Redesign
This redesign was well done. The new logo is very crisp and sharp! The type feels more modern and the icon has a nice dimensional element. The new colors feel bolder, yet still appropriate and keeping true to their brand. Designed by Lippincott Mercer.
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CNET Logo Redesign
In the updated version of the cnet logo, they have removed the dividing line between the c and n. The red circle has more dimension and depth and the overall logo seems more unified and modern. It was a subtle update but works well.
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Cisco Logo Redesign
Cisco Systems updated their logo and name in 2006. The restraining box with the “bridge” was replaced for a fresher, cleaner mark that more effectively implies digital communications. The shortened name also helps the logo appear bolder and more memorable. Designed by Joe Finocchiaro and Jerry Kuyper.
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BP Logo Redesign
The BP logo redesign takes a boring, static shield that didn’t necessarily communicate well to a refreshing, colorful flower that feels more friendly and fun. This logo is a completely different direction, but with great improvement! Designed by Landor.
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MSNBC Logo Redesign
In the MSNBC redesign, I prefer the use of the lowercase type. This new lowercase transition makes the logo seem less cold and imposing, and improves the friendliness and legibility of the logo.
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Audi Logo Redesign
In the Audi redesign, the typeface has changed to a smaller, simpler typeface. The 4 rings have better gradients and shine to them. I think the new logo is easier on the eyes and more polished.
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AT&T Logo Redesign
I like the updated symbol of the AT&T logo. I like the clean lines and the dynamic feel. I did prefer the all caps typeface in the previous version of the logo, but overall I think this was nicely done.
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Applebee’s Logo Redesign
The Applebee’s redesign keeps the concept similar, yet the updated logo feels more professional and less clip-art like with an improved typeface and apple.
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My Little Pony Logo Redesign
The “My Little Pony” redesign has updated its color to greatly improve the look of the logo. The typeface is bolder and fuller, and the y is executed well in a fun way to imply a tail.