A calling card renaissance is nigh

Inspired by my grandfather's business cards from the 1970s.

A few months ago, my dad found a box of my grandfather’s old business cards in my grandmother’s basement. He’s been gone for 10 years now, but to know me is to know just how much he (Leonardo, or as I refer to him, Nard) means to me. He was raised in New York City in an Italian-immigrant family and went on to become a professional photographer. So many of my most formative life decisions, including moving to New York, studying Italian and living in Rome, and making photography a huge chunk of my own livelihood, were influenced by him.

As were his business cards.

Late last week, I posted my business cards that I designed and had printed. I’m a fierce proponent of paper anything (unless it comes from the IRS, or Randy at Chase Visa), and decided I wanted to have something tactile that I could give to people I meet. It just feels more…personal? Intentional? More of a gesture? Than simply exchanging Instagram handles. Something to hold in your hand!

It seems as though a lot of you are equally inspired by this idea, so here are some beautifully simple calling cards of yesteryear I find appealing.