The First Impression

Of course, it's very important. When you meet someone new who you want to keep in touch with them for business, for hanging out or even for any long-term relation, what you do in the first meet will affect your relationship.

Of course, it's the business card.

What makes a good business card? Of course, vary of elements.

1. Your information must be enough and clear to read.

2. Your card's size should not be too large or too small. "If your card doesn’t fit into a holder or wallet it’s not likely to be kept close-at-hand." (David A. , 2007). Generally, the suitable size for business card is 3.5 x 2 inches (8.8 x 5 cm) (printingforless.com, 2007)

3. Quality of paper that satisfies the holder's feeling is better. I found a business card of Poul Nielsen who is certified personal trainer and fitness consultant in Toronto, Canada in the website of Airey. It's unique, original, and...have enough information. Take a look at it:



It's not paper, it's rubber and when his clients want to see his contact information, they need to stretch out the card. David also said that it's unique, original but what happen if the client have one arm of miss a thumb out. In my opinion, the Poul's job is about fitness and health training so everyone who wants to practice by his services should at least be strong enough to do stretching a card. Overall, this element may depends on your career.

4. The design.
Basically, simple is mandatory because business card is not an art piece. However, a good design can catch the holder's attention and you'll have a point.
The appearance: "There's nothing worse than a flimsy card with faded printing that was cut out with scissors" (Mike V. , 2003)

The inside design is totally based on your job. An image worth thousands of words. The design will tell your holder who you are, what are you doing, almost people when look at the business card, they tend to value the owner's success. People often like the beauty, they love beauty and sometimes have a bad perspective to poor design so be caution!

Let's free your eyes from tons of word and come to our fantasy world:

IBAUDIO, http://www.ethicaldesign.co.uk/StationeryDesignIBAUDIO.asp

Coquette Cafe,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypoetics/126896505/in/set-72057594104389710/

http://www.davidairey.com/cool-business-card-designs/

See more here.

Edit:

I choose those cards for example because they have some attractive points to me.

IbAudio's:
I was caught by its design. Bright (hot) colors rectangular is the first one I look at. There, I see the most important part: their name of company (a little bit hard recognition by the font) and address where to find them. Clearly!
The wave represents their job that is related to sound field.
I like the way they organize the layers of color. First, totally under layer is grey with radial gradient of white, its function is to highlight the hotly colorful design layer. Above the bright layer, again, black words are easy to read, easy to catch the eyes direction.


Romen design:
Different from IbAudio, this card is simple in design, just a circle which is made of hard red stroke and no fill, is their logo, I guess. Almost card content is their information such as name of company in black and red, their contact detail, and, I'm not sure, maybe their slogan: "Another point of view". From this direction of view (through photo), I can, but hardly, realize how they align the content, besides, they use the little four dots to make an bullet point, in red for address and in black for phone number.

The rest two card is less attractive for me than two up here. However, the Four season is original. When looking at this, I think that's Heineken's business card.

And I have no idea with Coquette Cafe's. A woman face in red and her smile which are made up by the drawing lines, may make holder think of good service with good waitress/waiter.