Research 3D Business Card Design

Examples of 3D business cards

This stencil-like card resembles the activity of dressing paper dolls, where you punch out the items and then combine them to create a finished product. In this case the finished product is some form of transportation that has been constructed with the punched out letters from the business card. To create the vehicle the user would acquire a high level of creativity and patience to figure out how to arrange the letters to make a structure. Letters can have very organic shapes making it difficult to combine and develop a reliable structure. In the end the original two-dimensional card transforms into a three dimensional one. However once this transformation has occurred the original state of the card is hard to obtain, so the user can use it as a reference for future use.

Pop-up is an effective method of creating a three-dimensional business card, as the action required from the user is minimal and unchallenging. It relies on a fold, so all that is required of the user is their ability to open something, much similar to opening a book. Majority of people are familiar with this task, which increases the success rate of this design and technique, provided that it is constructed in a reliable manner. Pop-up can also be entertaining for the user because it is unexpected. Height of the pop-up can add to the dominance of the extruding image or words as it draws addition attention towards it. Either the logo or name of the business would be the part that pops up in the card, as it is the simplest piece of information included in the design, and the remainder of the details would be left two-dimensional.

This example is deceiving with its ability to transform from two-dimensional to three-dimensional-a flat rectangle is folded into a chair. The end result is impressive if carried out correctly however the intellect required to do so would not be at an average level. Time would be needed to figure out this supplementary feature of the card. This concept is successful because in order to construct the chair formation no glue or extra pieces of paper are needed to do so-the card is independent, to function as it is. If more pieces or materials were required to bring the card to life, other than the assistance of the user, then viewers would be reluctant to discover its hidden feature.

The type of business being advertised in this card is obvious with its intertwining cog mechanism-an engineering one. The user generates the cogs’ movement as they spin one of the side cogs that have not been completely covered by a layer of paper. This generated movement physically shows how one small, simple movement can affect others, significantly. There is a lot of detail in the construction of the card, as each cog needs to be evenly spaced to flow smoothly and efficiently. The spinning movement doesn’t necessarily produce a three-dimensional object however it brings life to the card. This movement creates inspiration for concepts as the user can spin or turn something to reveal a piece of information for the featured business, and this can then trigger another piece to be revealed.

From this a slide technique is another method that could be applied to the business card, as information could slide out from underneath a piece of paper, or in this case the action would reveal an enclosed object or objects. If a similar method was applied to the business card then it could contain a gift for the user, a source of encouragement to use the business and become fond to the user. The concept wouldn’t have to be rectangular however it would be difficult to escape the box formation because differing angles would not develop a uniform movement, back and forth.

This business card has been constructed from a stretchy material and entails the strength and tension of a user to make the text legible. The material is sensible in the sense that the cards wouldn’t occupy a significant amount of space therefore storage would be manageable. Since the material is stretched, only a small amount is needed to produce the card, resulting in the business saving, financially and being able to produce large number from a small piece of material. Three-dimensional isn’t a major factor in the construction of this design, therefore expressing an unsatisfying result in relation to the brief. Stretching would also be a difficult action to include and develop into a concept as this movement could weaken a design each time it is used. It can also cause parts to wear and move resulting in a gradual deterioration in appearance and performance.

Above is an example of an unexpected shape to be associated with business card design, a prism. Even though this appears to be a complicated shape it has the ability to be stored efficiently, as when a numerous amounts are produced they can be stacked in a puzzle formation. Using this shape would mean that a piece of information would be featured on each side of the prism encouraging the user to rotate it in their hands and appreciate the card from all angles. In this picture the sides can be folded down to reveal further information. This creates inspiration to the layout of words and information-on each side of the prism could be a question, which a corresponding answer underneath. This creates a curious attitude for the user as they can ask the questions and since they are unfamiliar with the business they will feel inclined to enquire more about the business.