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Business card ideas for artists and creatives

By Becky McCray

Artists and creative business people need a way to reflect their art work in their business cards. Just because you’re an artist, doesn’t mean you don’t need cards. You are, after all, in business. And lots of business still happens offline.

Business cardsHere are two artistic examples, incorporating different personalities.

The first one is hand drawn. Rachel Sooy took a sheet of heavy stock, painted it up, and then tore it into approximately business card size bits. She wrote her business name, Interjected Art, on one side, and her contact info on the other. In the sea of business cards at SXSW, hers stood out to me.

The second is more traditional. Patsy Terrell used her artwork as the background image for her standard info. I think it works well to make her card a conversation starter. She also uses this art on her blog.

And, of course, I can’t talk about art and business cards without mentioning Hugh MacLeod, Gaping Void, “Cartoons drawn on the back of business cards.” I do have one of his cartoons on a blank card. Several well known bloggers have used Hugh’s designs on their business cards. I’m not sure if Hugh even carries a printed card. He’s so identified with business cards that I’m not sure he needs one.

What creative business cards have you seen? How have people effectively integrated their own art?

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Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.

www.beckymccray.com
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August 10, 2009 Filed Under: marketing

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  1. Bobbi McCrea says

    August 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    Thank you Becky. creating cards myself from hot guest shots (www.lettuceturnip.com) of 1937 nursery rhyme murals on third floor. The images capture the whimsy artistic spirit here at the BnB: perfect marriage to my Bohemian descent. Sometimes one wishes to evoke a mood. the website can show the house, the card will create a feeling of a potential stay. an authentic invitation. 8 years in business and I’ve NEVER been asked more for a card than lately. hmmm. indeed Becky, still an excellent vehicle including steering people to you online. and in todays paper? Mn company launching a digital business card businesscard2. a place for everything, and everything in it’s place> but who doesn’t want a little piece of art in their hand?

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  2. Becky McCray says

    August 11, 2009 at 2:20 am

    Thanks, Bobbi. You’ve brought out an important point: a business card can’t tell your whole story, but they can evoke a feeling.

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  3. Bryon Cannon says

    August 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Nice post. Here are some links to other info about business cards.

    From Seth Godin’s Blog

    Bunches of amazing designs. I wouldn’t necessarily use them, but they’re intriguing to think about.

    Steve Martin’s card

    Also: Hi, Patsy!

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  4. Becky McCray says

    August 12, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    Thanks for the added links, Bryon.

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