Business Card Design

[alexthackray]

Hi Everyone,

Currently in the process of setting up a Company and want to get everything right!

What do people think of putting photographs on business cards! I see it as a good idea as it allows a visual recognition to be sustained and not just a name.

I don't want to appear tacky though so any advice would be much appreciated!

The question is: Business cards with a phot, yes or no!!!

Thanks a lot!

Alex

[ethical PR]

As a PR/Brand person I would say please, please no.

Visual recognition is about your brand, not about an individual.

Please concentrate instead in commissioning someone to produce an effective, memorable brand that helps create understanding of who you are and what you do, which you can use on your cards, literature, website etc.

And please don't add long lists of letters after your name which no-one understands.

Helen Ashley not MCIPR, BA (Hons) NUJ and lots of other ones I simply can't be bothered to remember anymore:redface:

[Calibre Designs]

Depends on what you are trying to convey to your prospects...

[sm1]

Agree with Kay above - if it's a modelling agency, then photos may work ...

[gogojonny]

It all depends what the business is.

Brand is important - but if you are a local window cleaner creating a brand is not that important unless you want to run a city wide operation.

Many people employ other people as they like to work with them, they like to work with that person and most importantly they trust them. If you are a window cleaner you could have a fancy branded logo and message, but will people know who you are? Quite simply you could have a photo of yourself on the card, with your name and contact number - people will straight away realise 'it's that person, I like and trust them, I'll give them a call'.

People don't keep fancy business cards, they keep business cards of people that they like and trust. If a photo will convey that then why not.

[Coderea]

If you are promoting your business i.e company name then photos are a no-no
If you are promoting yourself as an individual ..- Photos are possible..however I do feel people would rather comment on the photos..than the service..

Off topic - The most Impressive business card ever - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk

[KreativeJuice]

Generally - not a chance in hell.... if you asked us to do it then we would have to persuade you otherwise or turn you away...

Get your card professionally designed, its your first point of contact with potential clients.

Kind regards
Karen

[starsgazing]

I think a photo on your business card is a great idea... If you're Brad Pitt / Angelina Jolie :D
... It would of course be distracting from the actual business - unless your business is you, like the guy in the Code's link.


Off topic - The most Impressive business card ever - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk

Thanks for the laugh!

[printedeasy]

I agree with everyone else. Unless your business is to do with modelling or yourself as a person then it might come off a bit cheesy. We have printed a few like this and i think they were a bit offputting! I can send you some samples if you wanted to see for yourself? I originally thought you meant general photographs, for example if you're a photographer - putting a photo of your work on the back of a business card. Or we've had interior designers, kitchen designers etc putting pics of their work on the back of their business card - and this i think looks nice and eyecatching!

[alexthackray]

thanks everyone!

[Poppy Design]

Hi

If it is a professional photo s) of your product(s) and put on the back then yes this can work very well.

I have done this for florists, jewellers, tool manufacturers, childrens toy & clothing companies, photographers etc and combined with good design, branding and good use of colour the finished effect can be eye catching.

However if it is a photo of you/your team ... probably not! as it is a bit cheesy!

Joanne

[Calibre Designs]

Cheesy is the word i'd use....

[Dot Design]

I'd usually say no, but it depends how its executed, it could work.

Make sure you choose your designer carefully though, if you get someone who is unhappy from the start that you want a photograph within the design you might not get the best final design. Always use a professional though!