Project Description

I recently made the transition away from business owner of fairly large place called Superfad to being a lone wolf. I now find myself in quandary for what to do about business cards. As a commercial director, I don't often need a card. Perhaps, once every couple of months I give one out. So, even though cards are relatively inexpensive to produce, I didn't want to end up with a pile of 500 cards that I'd never need.

My daughter, Lindsay (10 years old), suggested I simply use my old IBM Selectric to make some cards. So instantly, we took some old silkscreen prints we'd made way back in 2009. using the low tech screening method that was actually featured on FPO: here.

We trimmed 3.5" wide vertical strips with regular 2" marks down the sides and fed each strip into the typewriter.  Next, we found that the irregular patterns created arbitrary layouts that changed from card to card. A situation that actually made the typing of data on each card an engaging challenge. Afterwards, we flipped the strip and added a single, directorial piece of language to the backs. Phrases like, "FADE TO BLACK" or "EXT. CITY STREET - DAY".  Lastly, we cut the cards apart using a utility blade.

Conceptually, these thoughts we added to the backs of the cards, though oblique, are meant to further the notion of visual storytelling. I appreciate their ambiguity and hope that when a recipient of a card discovers one it inspires use of their own imagination. Or, at the very least, a chuckle.