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I’ve been tweaking my business card design to make the biggest impact. Based on some discussion with come coleagues and designers, I’ve made a few small changes. Read on for the five simple changes I made to my card based on critiques and suggestions.

1. QR Improvements

Based on feedback, one of the largest complaints people were having with the cards were the large QR codes which took up half the space on the business side of the card. I’ve customized it to prominately feature Money Thief, color-coded to the color theme of the card. This breaks up the QR code and now, while perfectly readable, it’s cute and fun. Additionally, the URL now sends our new friends to a specialized GDC 2012 site.

2. Logotype Leading

Many people were instantly thrown off by the small leading, or distance between lines of text. The the and game studio were too close together, making the logo feel way too cluttered and constricted. I spread it out just a bit more (the same leading between game and studio on the narrow-set logotype) to help the logotype feel a bit more comfortable.

3. Business Border

Instead of a solid-color background or a plain white background, I was suggested by a colleague to try a colored border and white space. This gives the business side of the card a more open feel, while continuing to “set it off” with a touch of color.

4. Logotype URL

A few people had the complaint that the card didn’t have the website on it anywhere. I held the argument, “Sure it does! Look at my email address! It’s got ‘thegamestudio.net’ right in there!” Then, they would silently shake their heads, and refuse to help me further. A tiny .net at the end of the logotype instantly implies a URL. Go there.

5. Tom Hanksin It

Finally, I took some key pieces of the design—logo, email address and job title—and made them just a bit larger. Bigger is better, right? Right? Also, the cards are now the size of those novelty checks that you see on sweepstakes shows.

I’m about to ship these cards off to get printed. I’m still looking for a good local printer, and there’s probably one or two minor tweaks to make, but other than that, I’m very pleased with how these cards have turned out!

My girlfriend and I are headed to San Francisco next month to attend the Game Developer’s Conference, and I want us to make as big an impact as we can, short of running naked through Yerba Buena park. Last year, I took some screenshots of old (and non-existant) games that I developed under my game studio, The Game Studio, put them on some Moo cards, and called it a day. This year, we’re going for something completely different.

Overview

Each card has two interchangable sides designed for simple, effective, targeted deployment for any situation thrown at you:

1. The “business side,” featuring a GDC 2012-specific QR code, prominent narrow-set company logotype and a splash of color, allowing effecient promotion of company pride on your part and company jealousy on the part of those not currently receiving this card (it’ll be short-lived, because there will be enough cards to go around); and
2. The “personal side,” featuring a prominent, wide-set company logotype, a secondary, color-coded brand to quickly indicate position and role in the company, a first-last name pair, a decimal-deliniated electronic mail address and a broad-band micro-graphic masquerading as a border. I tell ya’, this side is packed with enough personalized information to totally make a new friend.

Deployment

Deployment of the card is simple.

1. Identify the target recipient’s intentions.
2. If his intentions are completely business-oriented, you’ll want to deploy “business-side” first.
3. If his intentions have a good chance of a party invitation or dinner-meeting, you’ll want to deploy “personal-side” first.
4. With the card in the left hand, targeted-side out, you’ll extend your right hand for a firm, dry handshake. This is known in the corporate world as “the docking manuver”. (Note: This is a completely different manuver from “docking”—neither direct penile contact nor attached foreskin are required from either party.)
5. Once you’ve successfully docked, you are in control. Deploy the card by extending your left hand and stating your name, rank and company loudly and clearly (“Hi, I’m Zachary Lewis, the owner and lead developer of The Game Studio.”).
6. Continue to slowly, yet charmingly, shake your target’s hand until he has taken your card, at which juncture you can undock and proceed at ease.

Makes, Models and Colors

The cards are still extremely experimental, but this is what is currently under development:

Each card comes standard with a 1”-square QR code; however, depending on the tech-savvyness and eyesight of your target, you can opt for a 1.5”-square QR code for your target to scan with his old-peoples’ LG Bifocolia or a completely discrete, invisible QR code, allowing use of a pen to further direct and influence the target.

Since GDC is held in San Francisco, CA, it’s important that our logotype go both ways: Left and right. We also have a rainbow version. Just sayin’.

Regardless of what your position in the company is, there’s a color to categorize you. Yes, you are nothing more than a color in our eyes; however, we are colorblind.

You’re Welcome

Now that you’ve been familiarized with the basics of our new card, be on the look out for it at GDC this March!

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/**
 * Get the ordinal string ("st", "nd", "rd" or "th") of a given number.
 * @param    value the number whose ordinal string is to be returned
 * @return   The ordinal string of value.
 */
public static function getOrdinalOf(value:Number):String
{
  var n1:Number = Math.abs(Math.floor(value));
  var n2:Number = n1 % 10;
  return (n1 % 100 < 21 && n1 % 100 > 4) ? "th" : (n2 < 4) ? (n2 < 3) ? (n2 < 2) ? (n2 < 1) ? "th" : "st" : "nd" : "rd" : "th";
}

I wrote this in ActionScript 2. It should work in ActionScript 3 unmodified, but you can eliminate the calls to the Math library if you change the type of value from a Number to a uint. If you might have negative numbers, you can use an int and keep the Math.abs() call.

I am a developer. I make video games. It’s a pleasure to meet you.