Has the traditional business card reached its End of Life? In a world of speedy communications, where just about everyone has a smartphone, is the 2 by 3¼ inch piece of card useful any more? I know I hand out ever fewer of these once common tools, and at a recent meeting, of the dozen present, one had cards with him.
Calling cards were once very simple documents comprising one's name, and at times an address, or more recently a telephone number, but having the potential to convey a considerable amount of information, depending on how they were presented. In the Victorian era there was very specific etiquette regarding their use. While calling cards of gentlemen were rather plain, the calling cards of Victorian ladies, were often very ornate. Over time, these evolved through business use to become an advertisement and, as forms of contact increased, so did the amount of information on the card. Some have so very much information that the original goal, that of providing introductory information is lost. For personal use, might it be time to return to the era of the Calling Card, and simplify the design to display one's name, email address or website, and phone number? Since many of us are involved in a wide ranging variety of interests, a fluid point of contact, such as a webspace might better meet our needs. Thus, as our lives and interests change, the same calling card will lead to our current status. The goal should be to keep it clean and uncluttered, and let the technologies available to us fill the gaps.
See Hoban Cards for some excellent examples.