Create A Business Card for a famous chef.
When business people meet they exchange business cards.
Business cards are a relatively modern invention designed to quickly introduce
a person and provide at least a minimum amount of information about themselves
or their business. Some individuals and businesses have simple cards. Others
get creative using unusual colors or shapes that reflect what the person does.
What if ______________(fill
in name of famous chef) had a business card. What would it
say? Would ___________have a serious,
formal card or something fun and whimsical? What title might_________use to describe themselves or their
job? What pictures would you expect to see on their business card?
Task
Create a business card for______________. The card should help others know and
remember him/her. Ideally it should
convey a sense of who__________________was and
what he/shedid.
A business card generally focuses on a single facet of an
individual or business. If ________was
known for many different accomplishments, single out just one of those activities
for their business card. You may choose to focus on a well-known aspect of ___________or on some lesser known achievements
or interests.
Resources
Business Card Checklist and "The Trash Test"
Steps
- First, become familiar with____________through books, papers, classroom
discussion, or other research materials.
- Describe_____________in a
few paragraphs. After deciding on what aspect of his or her life or activities
that you want to focus, make a list or write a description that tells about
that part of _____________'s life.
- Do you want a "serious" or formal card or
something light-hearted or informal. What is most appropriate to your subject?
- Using the Business Card Checklist, list the major components
of your business card. Mark out any components you wish to omit from your card.
If appropriate, come up with a title for
. To put everything you want on this small card you may need to come up
with different ways to say the same thing. Look for shorter words in place of
long ones. Use a single word in place of two or three different ones.
Experiment with abbreviations.
- Look at sample business cards you or your class have
collected. Identify those that have a style you might like to imitate or
borrow.
- Sketch out some rough ideas of how you want the business
card to look — including any graphics you think you want to include. (Your
software may come with a collection of clip art; if you have access to a
scanner you may be able to scan artwork from clip art books; if you have access
to graphics software you may be able to draw your own graphics.)
- Using the page layout or business card software available to
you, transfer your rough sketches to the computer. Your software may have
templates or wizards that will provide you with even more ideas.
- Print your final design on business card stock, index card
stock, or plain paper. Tear apart or cut with scissors or paper cutter as
necessary.
Evaluation
When you give your teacher your business card, attach the
following checklist with your answers.
- What is the focal point of this business card? (What part is
supposed to catch the reader's eye first?)
- What job, role, or activity does this business card
describe? Is this a commonly known or less known role of .
- Is this supposed to be a formal (serious) or informal (casual)
business card?
- Why did you choose these colors, graphics, text, layout, and
style for a business card for ?
Conclusion
"The business card... is kind of an extension of
yourself. It's a little bit of giving yourself to someone else."
— Ken Erdman, founder of the Business Card Museum, Erenheim, PA
It is not easy to condense a person down to the size of a
business card but doing so may help you to focus on the most important aspects
of someone. It can also help to develop your vocabulary as you search for new
words to describe a person or their job. It should also be clear that it is
almost impossible to tell everything there is about a person from a single
piece of paper. | 
