10 Steps On How To Design A Minimalist Business Card

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When talking about effective business cards, you will find a great length of options out there. As a business tool, it creates a lasting impression for your audience. While it has a huge role in your business, the card is quite small in size. Thus, your design idea will turn into a vital point to work with.

Among many examples, you can see that a minimalist design is highly favored in the current generation. Less is more is the concept that helps highlight and emphasize the main information. Meanwhile, the minimalist element helps form certain visuals that appeal to many audiences in varying industries. However, the card design is not for everyone. 

The idea of creating business cards is not merely for marketing. The small little paper should be one of the media that helps distinguish the business from others. It is also a tool that encourages the audience to get in touch with the business. With that in mind, you can start to learn how to make minimalist business cards through this list.

1. Find Great Minimalist Business Card References

There is nothing more crucial than starting with references. In this case, working with minimalist design does not mean you only need to find the same concept. When you are assigned to design a business card, studying the best references from across industries will give you broader ideas. Sometimes, it is best to venture into new territories to learn more.

In a minimalist card, you got a lot of points to look at, from color, shapes, position, font to the shape card shapes. Sometimes, there are ranges of minimalist business cards that look amazing compared to others. So, what makes them stand out? It is the beginning of your minimalist project design. The more input you get, the better your idea is.

But again, it also helps to limit the input. When one is overwhelmed, the creative flow will either be completely clogged or disturbed. Thus, you are hardly finding good inspiration from them. Try to set the theme or audience before picking business card references. Lay them out on a flat surface, and note what you like and don't like about each card.

In this stage, it also helps a lot if you know your client's preferred design or brief. You will be able to identify the competitors' ideas and point for their model. From there, you can study more about the proper business card with minimalist concepts. In many senses, using references emulates you to brainstorm and learn the minimalist trend.

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2. Ask Your Client About The Design Requirement

Your clients' design requirement is the grounding and guideline for your minimalist card project. Creating a business card is not a mere job. It is something that demands more attention. It is especially true since minimalist concept design can alter the whole impression of your work.

So, when you are meeting with a client, ensure you get every detail about the design requirement. Some of them might also appear in brief, but having a face-to-face to more details helps you catch the client's mind. So, what kind of conditions do you need to satisfy? Maybe the quality of the media, size, organization, character, capabilities, etc.

When talking about minimalist business card requirements, you got a lot more to jot down. However, most of the time, the design requirements are pretty simple. Since the project is a minimalist design, most of them might relate to the visual impression. So, you can ask about the style, concept, size, details, or information.

However, in broader details, the design requirements can cover very detailed information. Your client might show the card business goals, objectives, organization, etc. Some points talk about the final product's quality, implementation, functional, or even regulatory. Thus, ensure you know the client's design requirement for the minimalist project.

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3. Clearly Understand The Design Brief

The Design brief aids you during the design process. It is a guideline that is the foundation of your minimalist card project. It functions as a recipe for food and beverage. Thus, understanding the brief will be the key to success in the project. It is also something that helps you stay in the line of work with its information.

The reason why you need to clearly understand the brief is due to its two focal details. It shows the job description and also project management. In other words, it is the basic or the input for your creative flow. How does it work for your minimalist business card project? A design brief will show you what you need to fulfill the client's satisfaction.

It is also a great guide for your project since it covers a huge point to work. It will show you about the project or the client's request. The target audience, goal, function, and expectation are laid in brief. You can use them to work with the proper destination. It also has some more points that show what your client expects; it explains what you need to fulfill.

Some other information, in brief, is what you need to consider for your minimalist card design. Business cards that perfectly represent the client's business depend on its brand identity. In brief, you will find what kind of business it works, product, target audience, or services. Sometimes, you can also design the marketing tool through the client's vision.

The vision toward the project explains all of the product objectives and functions. It can directly affect your minimalist concept in general. As an example, you can see how a corporate bank has a different minimalist design business card compared to cooperative banks. Both have similar industries, but they have dissimilar functions, goals, and aesthetics.

Another reason that you need to fully remember the brief is to make a consistent design with other brand materials. There are chances that you are working for a business that offers more than just one service or product. Having the same consistency builds a better image, credibility, and customer trust. Thus, you have to make a uniform model.

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4. Get Yourself a Perfect Minimalist Typeface

Font or typeface takes a big toll on the design process. No matter the project, you are bound to work around fonts and typefaces. It is especially necessary for smaller media such as cards and logos. In this case, due to the nature of minimalist design, you got to work with a simplistic point. While it is vital to work with a simple font, you are free to experiment.

The thing about minimalist fonts or typefaces is you are free to work with the simplicity or a fancier option. However, the key to pulling off the minimalist business card design is to keep everything clean. The idea of this concept comes from the fact that your project design should have a proper balance. The less is more is not a mere idea to work with.

It is something that pays attention to the use of legible and suitable typefaces for the project. You can use the handwritten script on a white background as the best go-to idea. There are also possibilities to use bolder typefaces for your card, such as gothic or plain block font. As long as you got the balance, you are already nailing the concept.

However, another key point that you should pay attention to is the legibility of your copy. Since your client is going to use the business card as a marketing tool or identity, ensure all of the information is readable. You can use small or large typefaces with minimalist colors. Or emphasize the information with the arrangement. Here are some typefaces that can help you make minimalist cards.

5. Play Around With Typography

During the creating process, you might have to determine the typeface along with the arrangement. When you are trying to work with this type of concept, try to find as many references as possible. You will see that the concept is not a limitation for your card design. Many designers use this concept to play with their typography.

How do you play with minimalist typography? There are many ways to do it. The most fundamental design trick is to play with the font size. Using a size, you can maintain the legibility aspect. For a business card, the most common pick is at least 8 pts. But again, you can alter the idea and fit it with the project theme or design.

Since your copy is the most important element in the card, it is your right to vary the sizes. Sometimes you can use the letterform to make a distinctive feature. However, it is also possible to work with the white space so you can avoid clutter. Using smaller-sized typography also allows you to add breathing space for the minimalist business card.

If you are not fond of the font size or are limited to altering it, you can play with color. Color is another element that helps pinpoint the focal point in the media. Some shades that go well with the pre-existing brand color scheme are the best got to-go option. One thing is to try to mind the font and background contrast. Ensure every information is legible.

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6. Use Suitable Minimalist Graphic Elements

Minimalist card design might work with the only copy. But it works better with a graphic element. A business card is also a tool that helps introduce your client's business or brand. That is why using a graphic helps deliver the message better. But, what kind of graphic element do you need to choose? The most suitable one, either with the theme, product, or brand identity.

One of the best options to design the minimalist marketing tool is to plot every picture element. You might have to work with the logo. Thus, ensure you can put the logo graphic as the center or focal point. It is also possible to add secondary images that help flourish the whole minimalist design. Again, remember that the key point is a minimalist, clear, and direct approach.

Another good business card graphic element trick is to dedicate one side exclusively for the logo. Meanwhile, on the other side, you can add all of the important information. There are also chances that you can add a logo on both sides. In this case, try to use different-sized logos to create highlights on the information.

When talking about the graphic element in this small card, your ideas are mostly endless. You can always add additional graphics that fit with the business. To avoid clutter, a faded minimalist background helps pinpoint the most vital details. It is also possible to add visuals and color to make an impression. To give more ideas, below are some of the examples you can use as references.

7. Create Balance Between Texts & Graphics

One of the keys of minimalistic design is a balance between the graphic and texts. You can add graphics or text. But again, ensure everything does not make your card look like clutter. To get this idea, it is better to map out all of the important elements that you need to include in the project. What kind of information do you want to share, and how much is it?

Most of the time, the important texts include name, company name, job title, and contact. It is also possible to add a website URL, slogan, or even a QR code. Ensure everything is balanced. Thus, you can create a tantalizing yet straightforward minimalist business card design that represents the business to the bone.

Some more tricks and ideas that you can use for the text or graphic balance is to maximize the use of white space. It helps the reader get a breathing space through the whole project design. You can also use a grid to make everything tidy and clean. So, the minimalist card will be able to deliver the message and be memorable.

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8. Use Minimal Color (2 or 3 colors)

Many people think of minimalist concepts as mute and simple colors. That is not the right point. For your design, you don't need to play safe. Try experimenting with shades, but stick to complementary colors. Since you are working on smaller media, adding colors on both left and right helps create a memorable point.

Colors also work with almost every design element. You can use color for the font, background, graphic, or border. To reach the minimalist aesthetic, you need to limit the shades to two or three colors. Why so? Again, remember the need for balance and the limited space of the card.

Adding too much color will not only make it distracting and look cluttered but also harder to focus. Remember that a minimalist business card has a smaller size. Thus, you got to stick with the least complementary colors. So, the focal point and the necessary information are easy to notice.

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9. Consider The Print Material

When talking about print material, you have an abundance of options to choose from. In this case, one of the best considerations is the card finishes. The final stretch can enhance your whole card design that help create a lasting impression. In this case, you might have to refer back to the brief details about the budgeting.

Some finishes, paper material, and detailing might demand higher costs. Thus, consult the option with the client's budget. If the minimalist project has enough budget to spare, try special finishes to add another impression. Some of the effects can be found by embosses, letter pressing, UV coating, foil stamping.

Again, each card effect or material can demand different costs. At the same time, the more complex the material and design are, the longer the production time will be. It is something that you need to put into account during the process. So, you can finish the project by the desired deadline.

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10. Present The Printed Cards To Your Client Or Use Minimalist Business Card Mockups

After you decide on the material, you can either choose to present the final result in a printed or mockup. It is important to remember that you might get revision during this time. Thus, choose the best option that fits the time and budget. If you want to print the card, consider the size and shapes as well. Your pick might affect the final presentation.

If you are short on money to materialize the final minimalist business card design, choose mockups. You don't need to print or create the card for the presentation. All you need is a realistic mockup that helps visualize your design. It is a good option for you to see a possible further alteration. There are a lot of mockups you can use. Below are some of the best mockups for you.

Final Words

There are many challenges that every designer needs to go through when working with business card design. Due to its limited surface area, applying minimalist concepts will be one of the best solutions. However, doing so also forces you to see more considerations about the work. It includes the use of minimal graphics, font, space, and smart use of materials.