Brief 5 - Nanny Business Cards - Evaluation

The final designs look professional when printed and laid out, the cards work cohesively as a group and also when they stand alone.

The design successfully meets the brief, creating a piece of design which communicates the important information that employers will be looking for, but in a fun and engaging way whilst also seeming professional and sophisticated. It speaks to both aspects of the target audience, one; the parents and employers and two; also looking appropriate for children by using a range of elements which work well together, such as shapes, illustrations and bright colours.  

The most successful aspects of the design are the colours and the cohesive aspects of the front and back of the card making it a whole piece of design on its own. The client was also extremely happy with the designs and achieved what she was hoping for and more. The layout of the back of the cards and the typography used was also seen as a success in feedback. The design makes it very easy to understand and read, to get all the important information at a quick glance. 

In evaluating terms, looking at things to improve or work on would probably be if there was a chance in the future to expand the design into logos, website, branding and other collateral, to develop the designs further and place into different contexts. The illustrations, colours and typefaces would be easily transferable across a range of design outcomes if needed. The business cards are definitely different to anything else already out there in terms of self-promotion and branding in the babysitting or nannying industry, which means that the design can help the client stand out amongst the rest and leave a lasting impression.

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Production

Below shows the production process, printing different colour variations to see which colours print best, the stock it was printed on was 300gsm the thickest available, which means the business cards would be durable and long lasting when taken around and passed on to people. 

After printing and getting feedback on the final designs in different colours and levels of vibrancy, the most vibrant colours worked best and having the range of colours rather than just one carried the concept of communicating the personality traits that is needed and what clients look for in nannies and babysitters.  

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Development

Further development looking at different colour choices and typography layouts, the brighter colours contrasted with the pale blue worked best as it made it stand out more, however having the pale blue on the back washed out the type and made it difficult to read. Therefore the brighter colours were used as backgrounds, when showed to the client which they liked best it was a mutual decision to create a mix and a set of cards using each of the colours, we believed this made them a lot more fun and exciting. 

Also experimenting with the shape of the cards, having straight 90 degree edges or having slightly rounded edges. However although the rounded edges make the cards look more child friendly, when coming to printing, costs and time management it was easier to create them to a higher standard with straight edges. 

Below shows experimentations with different layouts of the typography and additional information, the typefaces that were selected were Run Wild and Futura Light, the contrast works well between the two, and also shows the two different personalities you need for a job with children, being serious but also fun and engaging. Using a sans serif font also made the text a lot more legible and gave the design a modern and contemporary feel. The repetition of the shapes also makes sure the design is seen as a whole and aren't two separate items. It also makes it more fun and experimental rather than just using bullet points or dashes and means that more colour could be added. 

 Below shows the final designs, the colour palette means that the client's personality shows through the design whilst also a communicating a fun, engaging and responsible role of the client, meaning that her client's will see these and straight away from the cards see her as a candidate. 

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Initial Ideas

Developing the illustrative approach and keeping with the idea of using simple shapes, as this is a key aspect of young children's learning and discovery and can also be used and implemented in lots of different formats, patterns and across different media. Creating repeat patterns, allowed for the design to be placed onto the back of the cards as imagery. Pastels were experimented with first, however the client preferred the brighter colours, especially the brighter pink as this was different to other things that were already out there. 

The designs below show the introduction of the type and layout of the back of the card, where it's important that the information is communicated in it's simplest form, but still keeping cohesive and an overall design with the front. Slowly beginning to bring in brighter colours which contrast better against each other, the pastels seem to get lost in the background and therefore the business cards wouldn't stand out as well. 

Next steps were to develop the back of the card, focusing on the layout and typgraphy and also further experimentation with colours. 

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Initial Ideas

Taking a more illustrative approach as this communicates a more friendly and approachable tone and also shows the client's creative side and creativity is an important aspect when working with children as well as being fun and friendly. Taking strong elements, such as simple shapes, letters and numbers which all also touch on the educational aspect of looking after children. 

Beginning to look at colours and creating repeat patterns with the designs and illustrations, some colours definitely work better than others as some are more legible and eye catching than others. 

Putting the designs into context and creating the whole package of a business card, the designs are quite simple and although the illustrative approach works well, the designs aren't eye catching enough and come across as too serious. Feedback said it looked more like teaching or tutoring, due to the nature of the blackboard/chalk style illustrations and writing. Therefore maybe the illustrative style can be developed into a more fun and vibrant design. 

Brief 5 - Business Cards Research

Looking at existing branding from babysitters and Nanny companies, there is a heavy use of paler, lighter colours, specifically blue and yellow, as these probably represent a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere at first glance. So maybe a mixture of using these colours alongside brighter and more vibrant to show both sides of the client's personality. 

Also having lots of white space, using smaller images and icons, and there is also a mixture of sans serif and serif text. Again a mixture of typefaces would also show the business but also then the friendly side of the client. The most successful designs have elements that reach out to both the adults themselves but also the children, as these are the two main target audiences. 

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Research

 Existing Business Card Designs

The design below uses vibrant, fun colours and also illustrations, with sans serif typefaces, also using embossing to add further texture and dimension. 

Again the colours used in the design below are vibrant, however this design doesn't use as many colours creating a more sophisticated design. 

Most of the designs which have been taken for inspiration and chosen by the Client for initial ideas, use illustrations, a mixture of brighter colours and also more sophisticated colour schemes such as monochrome, therefore this is the direction that will be taken for initial ideas, experimenting with both design styles. 

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Research

What makes a good Nanny

• Flexible, loves company of children, basic understanding of child development, patience, lots of energy. 
• Safe, understanding, good communicator. 
• Reliable, responsible, trustworthy, organised, self motivated. 
• Creative, proactive, making a positive difference to the children in her care. 

Things Nannies need

Be able to plan and arrange safe, fun learning opportunities.

• Know how to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks.
• Have first aid training.
• Have driving experience if required.
• Show good organisational skills.
• Have an interest in children as individuals.
• Have a confident, positive personality.

Brief 5 - Business Cards - Final Outcomes

Brief 5 - Business Card - Initial Ideas

Initial ideas came from research into children and early learning, looking at different shapes and the block shapes used as toys and also as an educational tool, creating 3D designs, bringing the business cards to life, and experimenting with a range fo colours. 

The designs above take a more neutral approach, taking into consideration being gender neutral, but also showing the more important serious side of the job, colour swatched from different colour palettes. The first designs and colours work a lot better, as the second image the colours definitely get washed out and don't really show the fun, exciting side of the client which is more important to engage customers and children. 

These designs begin to use and experiment with brighter colours which work a lot better, the colours which have more contrast are a lot more eye catching and at first glance from feedback reaches the target audience. 

Experimenting with typefaces, looking at different fonts and the placement of the text sans serif works a lot better as it creates a friendly atmosphere but whilst also staying serious and legible. The serif typeface looks too serious and makes it harder to read at first look.

Brief 5 - Business Card - Research

Brief 5 - Business Card - Brief

Brief 5 - Nanny Business Cards

Brief

To design and physically produce a set of business cards, design of both the front and back, for a client who is an individual stepping into the Nannying and Babysitting industry in London and around the UK.

Background/ Considerations

The client is a young adult graduate, just heading out of university with a degree in Childhood Studies and looking to begin a career in Nannying or babysitting across London and the UK.

The main aspect is getting the correct balance between communicating the serious, reliable side of traits that are necessarily looked for when searching for potential employees. On the other side the fun, engaging personality of both the client herself and also an important aspect of an individual wanting to work with children.

Mandatory Requirements

-     -       Getting the correct balance between communicating the serious, reliable side of traits that are necessarily looked for when searching for potential employees. On the other side the fun, engaging personality of both the client herself and also an important aspect of an individual wanting to work with children.

-       Focus on the target audience of employers, parents and children. 

Deliverables

A set of printed business cards, designing both the front and back.