This musician’s business card gets a lot of visual atmosphere out of just a few elements. Set in faint tonal contrasts, the illustration dominates the space but does not overpower the card. It conveys the air of classical musicianship without being stuffy; it’s simple and masculine. To achieve all this, the designer had many decisions to make. This 18-page article from issue 44 of Before&After Magazine shows you how to turn a one-color business card into a visual statement.
One ink on white paper yields three levels of tonal depth: dark, medium, and light.
© John McWade/Before&After Magazine, courtesy of Gaye Anne McWade.
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Before&After: Gestalt Theory: Equilibrium
Equilibrium gives your design elements rest, stability, and permanence.
Before&After Design Tip: Multi-Caption Photo Tells Many Stories
Use more than one caption to unpack the detail in an image
Before&After: Design a Multi-Purpose Flier
Learn how to create a template for that low-cost workhorse—a single-sheet flier,...