| Business Card Lesson Plans |
Business card design inspiration can come for other business cards, templates, books, and even from totally unrelated items. Don't stop with a basic business card, explore other options, create multiple cards, and learn how differently business cards have been used in the past and in other business cultures.
|
Resources for Business Card Projects
- Collection of business cards from family, friends, local businesses.
- Business card design books and portfolios (optional).
- Classroom or Library Reference Materials (for Lesson Plan 2).
- Access to Internet Resources (optional).
- Page Layout Software with Business Card Templates or Software specifically designed for business cards (see online resources below).
- Scanner, clip art books, graphics software (optional).
- Perforated business card stock, card stock, or plain paper (plus scissors or paper cutter if using non-perforated stock).
- Laser or inkjet printer able to handle chosen paper stock.
Business Card Checklist
Many of the items in this list are optional. You must decide which ones are appropriate for your business card.
- Name of Individual.
- Name of Business or Organization.
- Address.
- Phone Number.
- Fax Number.
- Email Address.
- Web Page Address.
- Job Title of Individual.
- Tagline or description of Business or Organization.
- Logo.
- Graphic Image(s) (including purely decorative elements).
- List of services or products.
- Horizontal or Vertical Layout.
- Emphasis on Business or Organization (name and/or logo).
- Emphasis on Individual.
- Emphasis on Title of Individual.
- Emphasis on a particular part of the contact information (phone, address, email, etc.)
- Size of Logo or other graphics — large (dominant) or small, etc.
- Number of Colors.
- White space (blank spaces) toward the middle or toward the outer edges.
- Conservative typeface (such as those used in the stories in your textbooks) or Fun, Informal typeface (such as crooked letters, funny shapes, odd sizes, or type that looks like handwriting) or a mix.
Variations on a Theme
Do something different with the business card format.
The Business Card in Other Cultures
Some countries place a unique importance on business cards. During a unit of study on the Far East/Pacific Rim countries have students design and exchange business cards using the prescribed etiquette for those countries.
These links discuss business card etiquette. I've included several since links go bad so frequently. If one fails, try another:
• Hong Kong Business Card Design & Etiquette
• More US-oriented but some these rules are really universal
• Japan (Item #3 is on business cards)
• International (includes business card etiquette tips)
• Spain (scroll down for business card tips)
Victorian Calling Cards
The precursor to today's business card may have been the Victorian Calling Card. During a unit of study on the Victorian Age have students design and exchange calling cards using the prescribed etiquette of that time.
• Calling Card Etiquette
• Fashions for Calling Cards (for Gentlemen) explains the meaning of folded corners on calling cards.
• Mourning and Funeral Usages outlines rituals related to mourning and funerals during the Victorian age, including use of calling cards.
Multiple Cards
Sometimes a single business card is not appropriate for all aspects of a business. People may have different business cards for different occasions.
Allow students to create two or more different business cards each highlighting a different aspect of their school or extracurricular life or multiple aspects of an historical or fictional character. Discuss how individuals can have a variety of different interests and can present a different "face" depending on their surroundings and activities.
Business Card Design by Committee
Many companies have a single style of business card for all employees. Each employee has their own name and title on this "one size fits all" card.
Have students work as a team to design a single business card for the entire class (or school). Because each student may have differing opinions on what image their class should convey, have each student (or a representative for each major point of view) debate/discuss/support their point of view.
After agreeing on a single style of card, students can personalize their own cards with a unique descriptive title for themselves. Discuss the importance and/or pitfalls of uniformity.
Have students work as a team to design a single business card for an historical or fictional character. Because each student may have differing opinions on what image this person should convey, have each student (or a representative for each major point of view) debate/discuss/support their point of view.
Trading Places
Have students design business cards for each other. One student will interview another then design what he or she believes is an appropriate business card — perhaps 2-3 variations. Let the student then evaluate each of the cards that their classmate designed and describe what they do or don't like about each one. With the name omitted (or a fake name) see if other students can identify who belongs to which card (how well does it convey who that person is and what they do).
