NYLearns.org - Designing a Business Card

Learning Experience/Unit

Designing a Business Card

Subject

English Language Arts (2005)

Grade Levels

Commencement, 12th Grade

Assessment

See Below:

Business Card Rubric.doc

Learning Context/ Introduction

The Senior Cosmetology students work throughout the year assembling a business plan for a “dream salon” project. Designing the salon, drafting the floor plans and then actually building a scaled down model is the culmination of the project. An integral part of this project is choosing a name for their salon, choosing and/or designing a logo, and creating a business card that reflects the name and personality of the salon.

Learning to search the web looking for specific information using online resources, graphics, and ideas will help to familiarize the students with resource sites and understand the importance of citing information used. In additions, they will be analyzing information, working with software programs, and ultimately designing and creating a business card for their "dream salon" project.

Duration

This project will take 3 days (1 hour lessons with 5 minute breaks after 30-mins.).

Essential Question

Why is it important for a business to have a complete and attractive business card?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

The computer lab
Instructor's laptop
Classroom projector or SMART Board
Color laser printer
Sample business cards

Procedure

Day 1

Objective: The student will be able to explain the necessity for a business to have a complete and attractive business card with focus on the logo.

Materials: Instructor laptop, projector, computer lab, laser printer, sample business cards.

Sample business cards will be passed around the classroom. Ask why they think it is important for business to have complete and attractive business cards. (Essential Question - cards allow potential customers to call for information, book an appointment, and sometimes it is just the card that will arouse curiosity.)
Ask what information they see included on all cards.
Discuss what other information could be included on a business card (date and time for next appointment).
Using the computer lab, each student will search online for business card design information and print out what information they find.
Homework will be to obtain a business card from a local salon of their choice and bring to the next salon management class to compare/contrast information, logos, use of color, and layout.

Day 2

Objective: Student will be able to compare and contrast business card information and create a rough draft of their salon business card with previously designed/chosen logo.

Materials: Instructor laptop, projector, computer lab, laser printer, sample business cards.

Students will lay out the collected cards and compare and contrast the information and design of the cards.
We will talk about color and design, whether the salons were of the same color scheme, and if they matched their mock salon.
Students will then use Microsoft Publisher in the computer lab to create a rough draft of their business card using their chosen logo and the information they found on the internet.
Students will have logos already chosen and/or designed from previous lessons.
Drafts will be printed out for instructor to critique.

Day 3

Objective: Student will be able to create the final design of their business card based on their salon name, salon colors, and chosen logo.

Materials: Computer lab, printer, student rough drafts cards with corrections.

Using the computer lab and Publisher software, students will make any corrections suggested by instructor and print out a final card on card stock. Work will be assessed with rubric.

Reflections and Feedback

Students had fun with this project. Some said original color scheme of their mock salons had to be changed once they saw the colors on the cards. They enjoyed the collection of the local business cards. Many had never used Publisher and learned the program would help them in their future assignments at school. Some students were impressed with the idea they could get information about the design of cards, get them printed on line, etc.. They thought they had to go to Office Max or Staples to get them printed and were pleased they could buy business card paper and use Publisher to get a professional looking card. Next time, we will have perforated paper and possibly magnetic sheets to print their cards for added interest. I felt this was a positive lesson for their future career as a cosmetologist whether they had card for a booth rental or a salon owner. More time was needed for the rough draft because of the lack of skill with Publisher and more time to perfect their cards.