Thinking about American Psycho, I had to blog about business cards. From food to razors, designers were not limited to the cotton stock or print color ink. We will go out of our way to make an identity out of anything. Print with anything. Hand-make stuff if necessary. To satisfy the client and the creative juices, stepping outside the box definitely is, and forever will be, an option. The accountants and investors stuck with the little details (simple text placement, raised lettering, different versions of white) that it drove them crazy. Look at Patrick Bateman obsessing about Paul Allen’s business card:
Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God, it even has a watermark … [drops card in a sweat]
I have had my fill of that side of the business world. From a business school going into a design career, nothing satisfies me more than a unique business card design. And here you get 22 of them (I have always wanted to do a roundup). Most of these I have admired because of the dedication the designers put into the creation – an inspiration in itself.
1. Razor’s Edge Card from Taste of Ink
This clever card uses spot gloss highlights and decorative silver foil to represent this design and construction company. The die cut of the card represents the look and feel of an actual razor.
2. Outlet Card by Helen Quint Design
Designed by Helen Quint, this one of the first examples that emanate outside the 3.5 in x 2. in constriction of the typical business card. To brand this electrical contractor, she simply represented him with a three-pronged plug. Genius.
3. Pop-up Workspace Card from Francesco Ferrigno
Francesco Ferrigno took the inspiration from pop-up greeting cards and made his own identity using his workspace and ability to draw. On 150 gram cardboard and A4 metrics, his branding technique with this card sets him apart from the rest.
4. Box Cargo Card from Haendel Dantas
The card turns into a box. I love literal designs, this one included form “TAM Cargo.” Dantas has a YouTube demonstration for all you video viewers.
5. Seat Card by Emily Berry
Just like its product, the business card folds out into a chair from a single piece of wood (card stock in this sense). Interactive, simple, and clever.
6. Health Bar Card from Mark Cossessy
Your fitness instructor is giving you his business card shaped into an editable health bar. Its rye bread biscuit, but hey it is food. Perfect health food for branding a fitness instructor. Classic.
7. Origami Card by Pastelz
Had to put this in. It is origami. Why didn’t I think of this for my business card?
8. Interactive Pilates Card by Market Data
This is a nice card to give to your kid to play with when you want to go to Mais Pilates for a workout. Another case of interactive business cards, this one shows the Pilates spirit by being versatile with movable paper joints. Great work.
9. Beef Jerky Card by Rethink
Well put some beef jerky in my mouth. This stuff lasts for a year. Yeah I knew designers could do this, but seeing this design made years ago by an actual agency with laser-etched lettering made my mouth water and my creative heart go wild. Truly a great example of editable work.
10. Yellow-Black Packaged Card by Akufen
I have always admired this design. Using the black pouch die-cut to show the important contact information, I love the option of pulling out the yellow stock to reveal more hidden information.
11. Person Popup Card by Your Reactor
Does this remind you of that “Guess Who?” board game?
12. Developer Card from Romi Dumitrescu
Did not want to be like everyone and place the Google themed business card in my roundup. So I am giving a little shout out to the developers out there with this card. Simple and clever. I like clever.
13. Rainbow UV Card by Eli Sadikov
Using spot UV myself, this elegant UV coating is a perfect match for building this identity
14. Robot Cutout Card by Ben Schlitter
Well this is interactive in the sense that you can cut out your own robot. Great for my future kid.
15. Flora-lee-ah Film Card by Ryan McGuire
My appreciation for the card reaches another limit because this designer put all the film by hand for each card. Kudos, Ryan.
16. Concrete Card by Murmure
Yes, folks. This card is made of concrete. It really is. Etched monogram and typography techniques makes this a brilliant design.
17. Eye Chart Card The Paper Mint Press
Great for the optometrist students out there looking to brand themselves. I found this a nice, neat way to make a simple card. The off-white and typography fit for this design.
18. Blooming Business Card by Greg Blonder
This things blooms itself. This unique card uses motion biomimetic material that closes in normal light and blooms in the sun. Witness the demonstration for yourself.
19. Bike Tool Card by Rethink
Another by Rethink, Broke Bike Alley has a great card that acts as a tool to adjust your bolts and spokes … and it has the company’s phone number on it. This is some piece of work.
20. BKK Grill by Kit Pben Lert
Love the concept, at the same time it doesn’t work for a business card to hand to people at your restaurant. Need more instruction other than “grill me.”
21. Movie Tickets Card from Motion Media Works
You can even print your contact information on a ticket stub. I wonder how much this costs in printing?
22. Chocolate Wrapper Card by DRAFTFCB
Saved the best for last. I am madly in love with this concept. I might even use it. You want to save the wrapper after eating such a delicious card. Maybe do cupcake wrapper business cards? Too much?
Got any more to share? Comment below if you have seen more examples or even topped these.
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Very very impressive collection, thanks for these unique ideas..
No problem! Glad you liked the article!
thanks! hope you’re not spam!