Kimono inspired name card design
People who receive this name card are always delighted!
I had the pleasure of designing a name card for a friend involved in kimono dressing and art events. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese patterns and incorporating modern design elements, I aimed to create a card that reflects her unique style and personality. The result is a beautifully embossed, letterpress-printed card that leaves a lasting impression.
Design inspiration and concept
When I asked her, a professional in kimonos, about her favorite patterns and colors, she shared some inspirations from a pattern book. Among them, I was drawn to the "Kanze-mizu" pattern. She explained that she grew up in Kagawa Prefecture, which faces the Seto Inland Sea, and this flowing water pattern resonated with her.
Inspired by this, I incorporated a water motif using embossing. This design element is reminiscent of an obi (kimono sash). The embossing technique ensures that the pattern appears on both the front and back of the card.
Given her diverse work, I suggested not including a specific job title. In Japan, there's etiquette in how you present and receive business cards. The layout ensures her name isn’t covered by fingers when holding the card properly.
Her name, "iima," has two consecutive "i"s. To avoid confusion where the first "i" might be read as an "L" if capitalized, I proposed using all lowercase letters. This also suits her charming personality.
The card was printed using letterpress, with "Koguchi-zome" (coloring the edges) to echo the obi theme. Her kimono styling features a blend of traditional and modern pop colors, which is reflected in the card's design.
"People who receive my name card are always delighted! Thank you for the wonderful design."
emi iima @e34.i07
The printing was done by CAPPAN STUDIO. Some of the photos included here were taken by CAPPAN STUDIO.