Meishi
(
155)
Fri 2008/11/28 11:15
"Meishi" [名刺] is the Japanese word for a name/business card and is a fundamental item of Japanese business.
Thought we'd take a look at my latest meishi design and while we're at it have a gander at meishi from my previous positions.
Thought we'd take a look at my latest meishi design and while we're at it have a gander at meishi from my previous positions.
My new meishi - Mirai on the default Japanese side with Haruka on the English side.
Folks in Japan can order name cards at Tokyo Meishi Land - just over 1,000 yen for 100 double sided full color cards. They have a template you download where you use Illustrator to make the data.
Images should be embedded 300dpi and submitted in CMYK color separation with all fonts outlined. They print on demand and ship the same day.
Before I had the girls on the card I used to wonder how some folk would view us - especially when I handed one to the British Ambassador to Japan ^^;
But our main clients are in Japan and the Japanese seem to love the designs which reflect out company culture. I guess they wouldn't be contacting us for their instance of Mirai Gaia if they thought we were strange.
Folks in Japan can order name cards at Tokyo Meishi Land - just over 1,000 yen for 100 double sided full color cards. They have a template you download where you use Illustrator to make the data.
Images should be embedded 300dpi and submitted in CMYK color separation with all fonts outlined. They print on demand and ship the same day.
Before I had the girls on the card I used to wonder how some folk would view us - especially when I handed one to the British Ambassador to Japan ^^;
But our main clients are in Japan and the Japanese seem to love the designs which reflect out company culture. I guess they wouldn't be contacting us for their instance of Mirai Gaia if they thought we were strange.
And here is my name card for dannychoo.com which I can give out a bit more freely and does not contain my phone number. The next version will be double sided with Haruka-chan.
This is what my first business card for Mirai used to look like. The cost was something like 5,000 yen for 100 which was done by a printing company. The quality is better but I much prefer the Tokyo Meishi Land double sided 1,000 yen job.
One of the reasons why I decided to have the Suenaga sisters on the company business card was because when I gave out my card, the other person would see the dannychoo.com Mirai-chan card and want one of those too ^^;
I discovered that having the Suenaga girls on our card makes an impact and helps the other person remember us from an evening of networking and receiving a load of other business cards. They are usually the first talking point.
Its also easy to talk about dannychoo.com and the achievements made here which immediately leads to "where can I get my hands on Mirai Gaia?"
We still dont have an official site which is ironic because we are a web development company ^^; The reason is because we have not had a reason to showcase out goods because all business is through folks we know or through introductions - have enough clients lined up which will last us quite a while. We do have a makeshift page for http://mirai.fm though.
One of the reasons why I decided to have the Suenaga sisters on the company business card was because when I gave out my card, the other person would see the dannychoo.com Mirai-chan card and want one of those too ^^;
I discovered that having the Suenaga girls on our card makes an impact and helps the other person remember us from an evening of networking and receiving a load of other business cards. They are usually the first talking point.
Its also easy to talk about dannychoo.com and the achievements made here which immediately leads to "where can I get my hands on Mirai Gaia?"
We still dont have an official site which is ironic because we are a web development company ^^; The reason is because we have not had a reason to showcase out goods because all business is through folks we know or through introductions - have enough clients lined up which will last us quite a while. We do have a makeshift page for http://mirai.fm though.
And a look at my business cards from previous employment. First up is Microsoft where I was a CGM Product Manager managing some of the Windows Live services.
Here are my business cards from my time at Amazon in Japan and Seattle. Site Manager in Japan and Manager for the Global Asin Metrics team in Seattle. Asin = Amazon Standard Identification Number which we assigned to each and every product.
Ah, before I forget, If you are planning on doing business in Japan, you need to learn how to hand out business cards in the correct way - handing one out incorrectly will immediately give you and your company a bad impression.
I see so many gaijin just fling out their business cards - needless to say they tend to be the ones who don't do too well. See the video below of how business cards should be exchanged.
Ah, before I forget, If you are planning on doing business in Japan, you need to learn how to hand out business cards in the correct way - handing one out incorrectly will immediately give you and your company a bad impression.
I see so many gaijin just fling out their business cards - needless to say they tend to be the ones who don't do too well. See the video below of how business cards should be exchanged.
This is my first business card in Japan. I was looking after Web Marketing in Japan, China, Taiwan, HongKong and Korea thus the many versions of my name.
Cant seem to find my Japan Airlines meishi anywhere. Maybe back at my mums place in London.
Cant seem to find my Japan Airlines meishi anywhere. Maybe back at my mums place in London.
The gray card is the first personal name card I made for myself after arriving in Japan - made in Microsoft Word and printed on an Epson printer with paper from Tokyu Hands. I also help out at Akihabara News from time to time.
And a rummage around some of the other business card designs in the meishi folder.
One of the nicest meishi I've received from the boss of Moe Japan. I wish my previous bosses looked like this.
Kotobukiya have a cool meishi too which has their photo and opens out.
Inside the Kotobukiya meishi contains details of the other stuff that they do.
The meishi that inspired me to have Mirai-chan on the company card - Joy Max from Nitro Plus.
Name cards are not only useful for business but for any type of networking. If you have a card, it makes it easier for other other party to remember you.
Business is all about who you know but life in general is also about who you know. Even if you are not working nor have your own business, I still recommend you carry around a personal name card. Having an name card will help you connect with other people easily.
Even if you cant play around with Illustrator, you can easily make cards online with services like Moo.com. Invest a bit O cash and you will discover just how useful a name card can be.
Once you start to network, you will accumulate a ton of business cards which are a pain to maintain. What I do is follow up by sending mail to each person I met the following day - don't leave it more than a week or you will end up not following up. if a person replies, it shows they are interested in maintaining a relationship and once their mail comes in, their name and address is automatically added to your address book (for Gmail). What you can do then is to use the address export function in LinkedIn and add that person to your list of business contacts. I can use LinkedIn to manage my business comrades by region and can see who they know and as for introductions if needed. Its also much better than managing your contacts through physical meishi which you can simply search.
Name cards are not only useful for business but for any type of networking. If you have a card, it makes it easier for other other party to remember you.
Business is all about who you know but life in general is also about who you know. Even if you are not working nor have your own business, I still recommend you carry around a personal name card. Having an name card will help you connect with other people easily.
Even if you cant play around with Illustrator, you can easily make cards online with services like Moo.com. Invest a bit O cash and you will discover just how useful a name card can be.
Once you start to network, you will accumulate a ton of business cards which are a pain to maintain. What I do is follow up by sending mail to each person I met the following day - don't leave it more than a week or you will end up not following up. if a person replies, it shows they are interested in maintaining a relationship and once their mail comes in, their name and address is automatically added to your address book (for Gmail). What you can do then is to use the address export function in LinkedIn and add that person to your list of business contacts. I can use LinkedIn to manage my business comrades by region and can see who they know and as for introductions if needed. Its also much better than managing your contacts through physical meishi which you can simply search.
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part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Nice article Danny! I'm glad you talked about the correct way to hand out/receive name cards in Japan, that was one of the first things I learnt when I visited Japan for the first time many years ago! :) Also I also remembered must put the namecards received in a safe place as a form of respect to the person presenting it to you ^^. I recently used Zazzle to make some "skinny cards" (Similar to moo cards?) but I think the font may be a bit hard to read for people with poor eyesight lol. Hmmm reminds me I should try to save some moolah and make some stickers ^^! *bowbow* yoroshiku onegashimasu http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3047732388_cc6f92780b_o.jpg
(ID #389130) Posted on 2008/11/28 10:51
student, webmaster
For Japanese classes, we always have to make up some sort of Meshi. What I did is I put my name in English and Japanese on one side one, along with a brief bio and email address. Then, I put the crest of an organization I belong to, 日本旗章学協会, at the top corner. I did everything using Inkscape and also Photoshop. I printed the cards at my house using a kit from a local store. I passed them out and people found it neat. I also did that when I went to Japan and also going to conferences. I like them, but I wish that above site dealt with Americans.
(ID #389142) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:00
Night Stalker
I dont have one...Well wait i dont have a bussiness..hmmp! LOL!^_^
(ID #389147) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:03
Director/代表取締役
You dont need a business to carry a personal name card ;-)
(ID #389170) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:12
Night Stalker
Really!? i guessed i might need one...gotta think of a cool theme for my non Bussiness Business Card..
(ID #390302) Posted on 2008/11/29 01:18
student, webmaster
It's a great way to just network with people and make friends.
(ID #389196) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:24
Otaku, High School Student, Aspiring Animator
Very educational Danny. Will have to remember this if I move to Japan someday like I hope. Never thought there'd be a wrong way to hand out business cards. Maybe I should try handing out cards like this in America.....
(ID #389153) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:06
student
i wanna bizeeness card!!!
(ID #389155) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:06
http://animenlife.blogspot.com
Im considering doing/order some Meishi for myself.. ^_^
(ID #393075) Posted on 2008/12/01 04:59
WOW!!!!! I want a Danny Choo busniess card... Well, I'm thinking of making something like that as some bloggers do that. So many buniess cards you have Danny!!!!! Like you say, if you give out business cards, people will remember you and people might even spread the word about you. if you do that when you have a site, it's the same too, people might even visit it too.
(ID #389160) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:09
Amateur novelist
My thoughts exactly, pretty much; I remember hearing Double from Furu Anime Panikku talk about the same thing after Danny's blogging event in Singapore. And once more, this is making me feel as if I should get a name card myself, except I have yet to actually get up and do it... >_>
(ID #391479) Posted on 2008/11/30 00:00
Nice name cards~ But I wonder, do you need one as well as a student, just for personal?
(ID #389162) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:10
Director/代表取締役
I recommend that you do - I did ^^
(ID #389172) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:13
Ooh. Then I'll make one for myself. =D
(ID #389278) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:10
It's nice to have a namecard for yourself. Gives that professional feel. but seriously, I like that Nitro+ namecard more. :P
(ID #390406) Posted on 2008/11/29 02:32
So did I. It's a good tool for socialising with people, even if you have no business you could add a site address, or contact number. ^^;
(ID #389306) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:25
Nice article Danny, still haven't got around to making myself one ^^;.... This site (http://faveup.com/) has some nice stuff for anyone who needs some inspiration for their design.
(ID #389164) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:10
ack... get rid of the )
(ID #389167) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:11
NEET Desktop Support / Admin
It's great that you carried your dannychoo.com branding onto your business cards. I like the vertical design alignment. It's an eye catcher. I wonder how these type of business cards readily get scanned and then imported to an address book, such as Outlook. Would OCR capture the vertically aligned text?
(ID #389165) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:11
I wonder if they fit in the Western-style business card scanners?
(ID #389199) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:24
Nice cards! I wonder though...does having anime characters on the cards not detract from their 'professionalism'? I realise of course that Dannychoo.com is heavily associated with those sorts of things, but have you ever had any negative reactions by including cute girls on your cards?
(ID #389166) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:11
Director/代表取締役
Not at all - which is why business is booming for us ^o^
(ID #389174) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:13
Nice to know ^^. I always like to break away from the norm. I'll bear it in mind when I create some in the future!
(ID #389197) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:24
student, webmaster
If your business is centered on this concept, then of course, go with it. But, if you are a car maker and you use race queens, then that is when it becomes a bit odd.
(ID #389202) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:26
Certainly! But having a strong logo and/or character could go a long way. It's not everyone's cup of tea though. Personally I would remember a company more if they had a strong character to associate with as well as just the corporate logo.
(ID #389223) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:37
Professional Bum
I believe it can detract professionalism in the eye's of some select individuals, but that would be a rare case. I think danny is totally onto having a cute mascot on his cards =D Mascots are becoming quite the thing to have. Just look at domo-kun. It gives more of an impressionable face to people. I know I would have an easier time remembering the face of Mirai-chan than I would of danny and/or remember him as the guy with the ultra moe mascot.
(ID #389236) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:48
Youtube link under the embedded video has a </div> tag in it breaking the link. Personal name cards, like one a HS/college girl might carry and give out to guys is what surprised me years ago when I first became familiar with Japanese meishi practices ^^
(ID #389182) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:17
Director/代表取締役
Thanks and fixed ^^;
(ID #389190) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:21
Nice of you to share again Danny. I used to think getting your own name card was a big deal - what's also important is who you give it too. There's no point getting 1,000 cards ordered but no one to give it to. Having name cards forces you to network too - in a sense.
(ID #389185) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:20
Having Mirai and Haruka on the cards makes it easy to distinguish your meishi from the rest, good plan...only personal name card I have is my drivers license...
(ID #389189) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:20
I haven't seen any meishi like that here yet. Most are the usual, plain, strictly business style with two sides. I like yours. Would be nice to get some here. With all the new expats and Japanese stores opening up around here, perhaps they can be found here. If not, I wonder if there is any printer in Japan that would ship to the States. Meishi do not fit in the standard business card filing systems but there are trading card holders that have more than enough room. Ah, I keep forgetting to look for them at the Daiso!
(ID #389191) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:21
student, webmaster
Question, what dimensions are your meishi?
(ID #389210) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:30
Meimi132 in Leicester of Leicestershire of England of Europe of THE WORLD!!(in Canada) (Registered on 2007/12/04 05:05)
(University)Student
We were taught how to give out Meishi properly in my Japanese class!!! If I remember correctly, the name has to be facing the person your giving it too and you fingers can't cover any info(name etc)up. Right? Desho?
(ID #389221) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:36
Scientist, unemployed.
Have no business cards. When I was a little kid, I had a 500 card box of them for my detective agency (Yes, I was a weird kid.) I've been considering making some, but they are expensive, and I'm poor.
(ID #389224) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:37
Illustrator & Designer
I've been procrastinating in printing my new business card. The last one I printed was a simple plain single sided orange card with my freelance business name and contact details on it. I mainly got it to pass it around when I went to the San Diego Comicon but no one really cares about business cards as much as the Japanese I think. Another reason I've been putting off printing the new design is I can't decide what image I want to go with the company logo. I don't have a mascot but I want to have some of my artwork on my business card so it represents my illustration skills. I'm always interested in looking at business card designs and have seen some really cool designs.
(ID #389227) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:40
Part trooper, part santa, 100% loser
So that's how you give out meishi in Japan... I didn't know there was a procedure on how to hand your meishi... I too wish I had a boss like this ^^: LOL http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannychoo/3064923198/sizes/o/
(ID #389231) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:45
nice meishi ^.^ .I have never seen any meishi with these cute pictures on them , my area only has plain old meishi ^.^ .I especially like the nitro+ name card ^.^
(ID #389246) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:51
college student
wait! does the boss of Moe Japan really look like that!?! omg! i know what im gonna do when i need a new job!
(ID #389247) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:52
Professional Bum
I don't have much of a use for cards right now myself. Not really in a position for it. However once I am done with school (3-4 years =/ ), you can count on me loading up on them, especially if I make it into the JET program when I get my BA. Then I am definitely going to want to open up a network and make connections so I got some leverage when it comes time to wrap up that JET experience. In the mean time, I am going to focus on building up the skills I am going to want to put out with those cards.
(ID #389251) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:54
Is there any difference between Meishi and Western business cards?
(ID #389257) Posted on 2008/11/28 11:57
Student
I have no business card yet but I was in the end of making one. Since %%http://www.howagirlfigures.com/,Dancing Queen%% made a post on her blog, I decided to make one for my mom. My mom's job is a new manager of somewhat job. XD (I don't actually ask the job she is in). Then when I saw her post in the Member News, I decided to take a look at her samples. Now I just need a nice printer and the paper(?).
(ID #389264) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:02
Student
ACK! I the link didn't work. Anyways, sorry for this, since I don't know exactly how to make a link in the comment box. -_-;
(ID #389268) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:03
university film student
For a link in comments, just type the Url and it'll do it automatically. Note that spaces don't work very well. In this case, you just type: http://www.howagirlfigures.com/ Can't hide it behind text, as far as I know.
(ID #389416) Posted on 2008/11/28 13:07
Internet contents, music, webdev
I thought you have to return all name cards when you leave a job, because company name cards are a proof of employment in Japan. Guess you took pics of them before returning them ;)
(ID #389270) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:04
Director/代表取締役
Not true - I took these recently ;-)
(ID #389283) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:13
Internet contents, music, webdev
Actually I keep some too ;)
(ID #390047) Posted on 2008/11/28 21:41
But.. What am I supposed to write on it if I'm still a student? O.o And exchanging Meishi looks so serious.. Must it be that way?
(ID #389272) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:06
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
What year student you are, your major and minor, department your major is in and personal contact info.
(ID #389284) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:14
you could go as simple as just a name and an email.... with a logo design or mascot etc.
(ID #389290) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:18
Hmm.. Sounds nice. Since I'm only form four, I don't think I can write anything else on it --"
(ID #389725) Posted on 2008/11/28 15:50
My name card is so simple T_T that I wanna hide it when I go to a client sell products :(
(ID #389280) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:12
marvin (Registered on 2006/12/25 00:30)
I only have name cards for work. have to make one for personal use as well. btw I wish I had a boss who looks like the girl on the Moe Japan Meishi as well. ^^
(ID #389292) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:18
daichouginga in Byston Well, the land between the earth and the sea (Registered on 2008/06/04 10:04)
Professional Bum Mode
Interesting. This is the first time I heard that even students have their own personal cards. Back in my homeland, that's not popular or maybe I'm just ignorant, lol.
(ID #389294) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:19
Can I have the Nitro+ card ^^;; ? Chaos; Head + Rimi = <3
(ID #389296) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:21
Internet Media
What are the standard dimensions for meishi in Japan? In the US, the standard is 2 x 3.5 inches.
(ID #389298) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:22
terminating mosquitoes
all i have is official business cards the company gives in their fixed formats.
(ID #389299) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:23
I don't really have a name card at the moment... will make one if I think the time is right. I love the meishi for Moe Japan and Koto... ^^
(ID #389303) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:24
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
I was just thinking about this yesterday... I need something new for university and for photography. I want a new design as well... (^^;)
(ID #389313) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:28
Pseudo-Graphic Designer
I made a business card during my college period for the classes... but didn't go any further than that. Haven't made my own after that, felt like it should be just for people who have their own business/freelancers. I may make one then... plus it'll give me an excuse to get one of those anime-related card-cases they sell at Hobby Search XD
(ID #389319) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:31
Otaku / Student in Computer Science
I want to buy meishi on the website that you gave us...but I can't read T-T Please some help!
(ID #389350) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:42
TK-8316 / 宅男 Otaku / 工程师 Engineer
nice danny, u have a chinese name as well! ^^;
(ID #389388) Posted on 2008/11/28 12:56
Project Contractor
His chinese name look very very familiar, but I just can't recall it no matter how deep I dive into my memory...............
(ID #389516) Posted on 2008/11/28 13:43
Otaku/Student of University of Western Ontario
I'll probably get some next year, when my blog gets well known enough that I can switch host and get my own domain name. As well, by next year I'd know what I'm specializing in.
(ID #389401) Posted on 2008/11/28 13:00