A Good Gift Card is always first sketched in lightly and planned from the standpoint of good balance and design. In designing a card always try several small arrangements or compositions before deciding on the one to complete.

In Addition to the planning of the lettering, the designer has an opportunity for invention as regards the type of card and its envelope or container. A novel idea goes a long way toward success.

Nothing pleases the receiver so much as a hand finished card from some good friend. Above are some simple designs that any artist could produce. These originals were made by children.

Another Page containing some simple compositions. By using subdued tones of green, red and white on a gray or buff paper, very interesting color effects may be obtained. These were made by students in high school grades.

Christmas Cards. Ten typical arrangements. 1. Full panel decorations. 2. Initial decoration. 3. Ornamental initial. 4. Text illustrated. 5. Lettering only. 6. Lettering and panel ornament. 7. Panel decoration and text panel. 8. Pictorial panel and text. 9. Border decoration. 10. Free symbol and text. All the originals, several published for general sale, others privately printed, were in color. 3, 6, 7, 9, and 10 were hand colored. To make an original card, choose the arrangement that seems most desirable, and substitute elements having a personal appeal—other salutations or quotations and appropriate decorative elements.

Four Varied Styles of design in holiday cards, for more advanced talent. Note how each one is based on a foundation of good design. These cards were all designed by those sending them out as personal greetings.

A Page of strong designs made by art school students. Notice how the designs have been kept in simple broad masses and the lettering made part of the design. The originals in color were even more unified.

A Page of Christmas Cards in which a semi-humorous element has been incorporated. Cards like these often create a pleasant variation from the more formal ones. These were designed by high school students.

Strong, Well Massed Designs like these are well adapted to work in cut linoleum. If printed in a deep gray or brown and hand colored with light washes of transparent color they make an unusually rich looking card.

Cards using figures of the poster type. In these the accent has been placed on the decorative design quality. If properly done, such a problem gives the student fine training in spacing, balance and rhythm, and results in a highly artistic card.

A Set of holiday motifs that will help in planning Christmas Gift Cards or quotations. These are simple enough to be used by beginners.

A Page of useful holiday designs. These may be used as the basis of original cards. Their wide range suggests a variation of techniques. Simple line drawings, similar to that of Hallowe’en are best adapted to hand coloring.

Another Page of good suggestions. The silhouette at the top suggests possibilities in cut paper for the little folks. The use of cut out motifs in colored paper is an easy way for the younger artists to make their cards.

Suggestions for Washington’s Birthday. Silhouettes may be produced in cut paper, stencil work, opaque colors or pen and ink. Both Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthday offer good opportunities for art projects.

A Page of interesting Valentine designs. The use of a light and dark color against a medium toned paper is a sure way of obtaining quick and effective results. Variations, without figures, can be made by the younger artists.

A Unique Valentine Design. In this one an individual message can be written and put in the little envelope. Variations, such as a little dog holding a valentine-letter or a bird with one in his bill might be worked out similar to this idea.