Business Cards

Today I stumbled across this totally fantastic collection of business cards, and the heading "designs that will inspire you." When I first started designing my own business card (maybe 4 years ago) I too collected others business cards for inspiration. What I ended up with was a nice collection of extremely boring cards and two or three that stood out. You see, the average person doesn't have an awesome business card, and the ones who do are usually designers. I wonder what the problem is. Is there a fear that creativity will ruin the professional feel? Is it the expense of printing or lack of imagination? Personally I think a cleverly designed card is always worth the effort, and if done correctly will actually feel more professional.

The Perils of the Handmade

Recently I've been working on some handmade cards for a baby shower. I made 27, all hand cut and colored, and decided to go easy on myself by printing the insides of the cards on sticker paper rather than writing out each message by hand. Boy am I glad I did! Just after I started sealing the envelopes I got an email from one of the baby shower coordinators with a completely different date and time, as well as a list of other info to include. Fortunately I've been able to remove the sticker paper without much damage to the cards, but here is the lesson: Double check, triple check! Mistakes cost much more when they're handmade!

Thinking About Purpose

Although I've had a website for years (www.ninarart.com), I've never blogged before. I guess I've always just thought of blogs as glamorized diaries, and why would anyone want to hear about my life?

In my third year at Alverno College, studying Interactive Media Design, I've realized that blogging may actually be a good way to process some of the things I've learned. In other words, I can reflect on news articles, books, lectures, etc. all within this internet typing space. I can have a place to collect my thoughts and share with others.

So why would anyone want to hear about my life? Because I have a lot to say. Art, media, design, and technology; it's all here.