Last month I made a leap that brought the loss of a reliable wage at the end of each month and the sense of security that accompanies it. This is replaced by a wonderful mix of fear and empowerment that I’ve not felt for many years. There’s the tangible advantages that freelance status brings, such as being able to work for a wider selection of clients, but it’s the subtle joys that really stand out, especially being able to choose the kind of work I don’t take on, and also being able to present my personality to clients directly rather than through the proxy of an employer’s brand.

One of my first actions to mark my independence
was designing business cards.

Consider the context of the exchange of business cards. By their very nature you give your business card to someone you’ve just met that you wish to continue communicating with beyond this initial meeting. We all know how important first impressions are, and to quote Erik Spiekermann, you cannot not communicate. So what does your business card communicate about you?

Why is your fax number on your card,
when you never receive faxes?

If the address of your website is printed on your card it says you fear you won’t be the number one result when someone Googles you (or your company). Why is your fax number on your card, when you never receive faxes? When you give me both your direct line and the company switchboard how should I know which one to dial? Besides, if I call your direct line and you don’t answer does my call not get re-routed to either your voicemail or the switchboard anyway?

For my new business cards I have decided
to adhere to form follows function.

For my new business cards I have decided to adhere to form follows function. They have just enough information for you to get in touch digitally, and have been crafted to show attention to detail and a robust character – traits I would be delighted for you remember me for after our initial meeting.

They stock is 700gsm Colorplan from GF Smith, a duplex sheet made up by paste laminating a sheet of 350gsm Bright White to a sheet of 350gsm Ebony. The black side has my HG monogram in white foil, and the white side has my contact details letterpressed in black ink using a Vandercook letterpress by Dan at Glasgow Press.