Business Card Design
a DHTML experiment, layout critiques, design tips
During a presentation at WEBAustin 99 I became curious about the possibilities of using dynamic HTML to create some fun (but hopefully useful too) tools here. While I never took the experiment very far, I'm leaving the material here and accessible because, crude as it is, it still serves a valid purpose in demonstrating business card design principles.
My first Interactive Business Card Designer (IBCD) enables you to experiment with different business card layouts using some pre-designed objects (business name, logos, phone number, decorative elements.) Simply drag and drop objects onto either a horizontal or vertical card template. Move them around as much as you wish.
This is not for designing real business cards -- you're limited to the fake names and the few design elements I've supplied. However, the IBCD allows you a chance to "play around" with arranging various elements attractively in a 3.5 x 2 inch space.
Critique these layouts
Due to the limitations of DHTML (and my own beginner status) you may find that you are unable to effectively use the IBCD. All is not lost. I've put together a series of screen shots of sample layouts (good and not-so-good), business card design tips, and some "which do you prefer" polls for your enjoyment. See page 3 for the beginning of that section.
Images within this article copyright 1999 Jacci Howard Bear.
