* A few years ago, after being published in a stack of books over the years, I was honored and excited to be commissioned by Rockport publishers to author/design/edit the tenth installment of their Best of Business Card Design series. Unfortunately after retitling and designing the book, gathering, editing and photographing business card submissions from around the world and asking several experienced high profile designers to contribute essays about business cards the project was permanently shelved. I’ve always thought the book was going to be amazing and wish some form of it could still happen. Featured in these layouts are business cards that I’ve designed over the years that are all part of comprehensive branding/identity commissions. Below is the the introduction I wrote:
“YOU FEEL ME?
Connection: We all desire it. Whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual, personally and professionally, we all need it. Online communication is somewhat of a connection contradiction—sharing intensely but from a distance. We reveal ourselves with ease and efficiency like never before but from behind a screen—wonderful in-depth dialogues and relationships without the limitations of proximity or time but neglecting nuance and palpability.
A hunger for multidimensional, sensual experiences to enhance and balance our digital life has awakened an appreciation for nostalgic and specialty printing processes, injecting a sense of humanity in the form of wonderful imperfections, limitations, and quirks. From silk-screened concert posters to letterpress printed business cards, hand-crafted printing provides a tangible and physical connection to the communications mix. Ironically, the sharing of photos of finely printed materials online has helped to inspire and educate the public on the variety of printing options available.
Affordable, easy-to-use technology and access to create and distribute on a global scale has broken down most of the barriers that were previously points of differentiation, creating a saturated market. So what do we have left? Us, brand in hand—the exclusivity of the individual or organization, each one unique and wonderful in its own way. This has never been more apparent or relevant than now when we have access to so many technologies new and old, virtual and physical, with the ability to express our individuality while building communities of understanding.
The cards selected for this book are tactile objects of desire developed with unique materials, processes, or content creating immersive, personal experiences triggering memories, emotions, and communication that tell a larger story and unquestionably make a connection.” _Eric Kass //
