It all started with
A BUSINESS CARD…
The Dude Trains
When I sat down with Seth, the owner of The Dude Trains, to design his updated business card, I quickly realized he had a creative spirit that would be an asset to the design process. His old business cards weren’t drawing as much business as he’d like at local vets and animal shelters. We set out with the goal to create something unique—something that wouldn’t be mistaken for another vet’s in a sea of white cardstock. The catch? We only had an hour to do it. He had an event coming up in a week for which he needed cards, so we had to get moving!
Design Choices
Without an established brand image, we brainstormed colors, fonts, and the overall visual vibe. Seth’s love for green, nature, and his penchant for wearing khaki-looking work pants pointed me toward earthy tones. Knowing his love for sketching, I included line drawings of two of his late dogs, Duke and Dolly, to add a personal touch.
To blend his self-proclaimed “happy hippy” personality with his love of comic books and, I chose a quirky display font called “More Sugar” that gives a cartoon-ish feel. Paired with a rounded sans serif font, the typography’s contrast was fun yet functional, ensuring all pertinent information was legible while honoring Seth’s identity.
Results
Results
After an hour of collaboration, Seth went on his way to train the very good boys and girls of San Clemente and Dana Point. I refined the design and sent it to him that evening.
Since placing the new cards at local vets and the animal shelter, The Dude Trains has seen a 55% increase in business leads from those locations. When Seth asks new clients how they found him, he often hears, “your card caught my eye at the vet’s office,” or, “your card stood out at the shelter!” As a designer, there’s no better compliment. It’s also rewarding to know that the card is meeting the needs of Seth’s “users” – they’re looking for a dog trainer, and this design makes him easy to find.
More on the Dude Trains coming soon!
Currently, I’m designing the website for the Dude Trains. Check back soon to learn more!
