The Art of the Business Card.

Business cards intrigue me for a number of reasons. I love that each and every one (no matter how well designed – or not) is a little keepsake. Something that gives someone or something an identity. I love that of all the graphic pieces out there – and there are so many – business cards have become something that society chooses to express and communicate themselves through. And there is so much more. I’ve kept a collection of cards that stand out to me visually or functionally for as long as I can remember.

Now behold this Flickr gallery, where someone has managed to photograph and post their entire business card collection for the world to see.

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molo float.

molo, a Vancouver-based design studio, is dedicated to exploring materials and space making. Their float line of products is a great representative of that idea. float is a line of thermal-resistant glassware designed with simple forms and clean lines to emphasize anything served within. The suspended bowl design also performs the function of insulating your hand from the beverage. Pictured above are the float tea cups and float champagne flutes.

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PaPaYa.

PaPaYa specializes in world-influenced artwork – sort of a fusion of global culture and modern times if you will. Run by mother-daughter team Anahata and Gina Katkin, PaPaYa is a melting pot of “creative abandon” with the end goal of creating arts and goods. The visual collage techniques used by Gina are incredibly beautiful. I’m in love with the mongram letters.



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Gloji.

I think I’m coming down with a cold (sore throat, achy ears, all that good stuff). Perhaps something that claims it has the “power of the most potent antioxidant known to man” could help me out a little bit.

Gloji harvests the “power” of the goji berry to create one powerful drink available in two different mixes – Glogi Mix which is a combo of goji berries and pomagranate and Gloji Gold which seems to be liquid health or something thisclose to it.

It’s actually all about the packaging. Any brand brazen enough to package their product in a lightbulb-shaped bottle has my vote.

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Betsy Dunlap Calligraphy.

I’ve always had a thing for handwriting. Sadly, I take pride when someone tells me my all-caps printing looks like a typewriter. That’s where it ends though. I’m definitely no Betsy Dunlap. She has a variety of intricate, detailed caligraphic styles which I could never even hope to imitate. You, however, can purchase her services for invitations, menus, etc.




(Thanks design*sponge!)

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EmmaRose Papery.

It’s always reassuring to come across ex-advertisers and graphic designers who are only exes because they’ve found their true calling career-wise. These are people who I am in awe of. And I’d be lying if I said I weren’t the tiniest bit envious.

The latest case I’ve found is EmmaRose Papery, started by Eszter Rabin in 2005. Originally an ad girl, Eszter now spends her days creating custom-designed wedding invitations, stationery and cards. Seems like the thought of having a complete and comprehensive “campaign” followed with her collections of invitations, menus, table cards, etc.



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Eco-Friendly Wooden Cards.

Well, technically postcards. These eco-friendly wooden cards from Night Owl Paper Goods are beautiful and such a novel idea. The postcards are a product of sustainable-yield forest management. The wood is cut thin and very little power and no water are used in the process. According to Night Owl, the wood grain varies from card to card, creating something that’s one of kind for every print. The earthy colors used add to the eco-friendly feel very nicely. I’d love to come home to one of these waiting for me in the mailbox.

Besides their awesome wooden cards, they’ve got a nicely-designed site working for them. Love the little owls in the logo!

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Chiasso Fruit Stack.

Fall = Apples.
It’s as simple as that.

This Fruit Stack by Chiasso would be perfect to store my favorite Pink Lady apples. The vertical design allows the fruit to ripen without bruising and – my favorite part – doesn’t take up as much space as your average fruit bowl. i generally just put all of my fruit in the fridge, but this would be a great excuse to put it out on display.

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The London Design Festival.

This would make for an incredible Thursday. Or any other day for that matter.

The London Design Festival is in its fifth year and fast becoming a solid fixture on the creative calendar. The Festival boasts over 200 projects and audiences of 300,000. It’s serves as an umbrella by working in partnership with a network of organizations and individuals – from museums and retailers, to educational institutes, creative businesses, trade shows, magazines, designers and cities. The Festival aims to mirror the unique eclecticism that the city of London eminates.

Pentagram is responsible for the identity of the Festival and did an incredible job with the branding and design.

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