What do you think: Can I put my work on the back of my business cards??

The question isn't if it's legal or not, the question is why would you do something so ridiculous??? Seriously.

The space is too small to be of any value showing off work. Besides, that's what a portfolio is for. I could almost see if you wanted to put a client list on the back, but even that is crazy. What happens if/when you lose a client? What happens if one of the clients listed on the back is the main competitor of a new client you're going after?

K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid. It's a great rule to follow.

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Well, I guess I appreciate the opinion but it doesn't really answer any questions I have. Despite your opinion on whether it is a good idea or not, do you think it is legal? It would be helpful to know.

And, really, the back of the card wouldn't be to present my work in the same way as I would present it online or in my printed portfolio. The (cropped) work on the back of the card is there more to make a connection back to my portfolio as well as to have cards that are different than the norm.

And I won't be putting any client list on the card, so no need to elaborate on that further.

If your contract is correctly worded then it is possible to show the mcdonald's art as a portfolio piece. Did you have this clause in your contract? Another possibility, if you licensed the art to McDs for limited usage (highly unlikely) then you still technically own the rights to the artwork.

More on copyright with regard to design work (search for 'portfolio'):
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/contracts_4.htm

Can you give us more information on your working relationship with McDonalds? Or did you do the work for an agency? Or were you working on an at-will or work-for-hire basis? As an employee of an agency? If any of these conditions match your situation with them then you do not own the rights to the artwork and need to get permission from McDs to display the artwork in any manner. This would be called copyright, not trademark, infringement I believe.

I'd say ix-nay on the ortfolio-pay ictures-pay. Your card is for people to contact you, not to display samples of your work.

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Powerpoint is not a design application

This is something you have to work out with every client individually before you do the work. It should be in your contract. If it isn't, it is almost certainly a copyright violation to reproduce this work on your business card or anywhere else, perhaps even in a portfolio.

I agree that the idea of using the back of your card in this way is a bad one. Yoiu've heard some sound reasoning for this already, but I'd like to add more.

Think of someone seeing only the back side of your card. Let's say it accidentally flipped over on their desk, and let's say the subject is McDonalds. It's likely either to be of no interest to the person, so they throw it away, or the person *is* interested because they think it might be a $$$-off coupon or something. They turn the card over to see what the deal is, and there's your business info. Are they overjoyed to find your phone number, or are they pissed off that they're not going to get a discount on their McSlopburger at lunch later? You tell me.

Be practical about this, my young and adventurous friend.

You can. But maybe it's too much. You can however create a portable porti to give away that includes your contact details as well.

Heres the thing I would worry about with the McDonalds idea: does it look like a work sample or an advertisement on the back of your business card? I think going with something a bit more self promotional in nature would be better. Better yet I would just do my logo nice and big on one side with my contact information on the other. Business cards are so small that actually having a decent design and conveying all the information you need to can often be a real design challenge and this is the perfect way around that.

Well, since you're giving your card to individuals (potential clients) that would probably want to see your online or print portfolio anyway then technically that client work on your card is essentially just a preview to your portfolio -- so it's perfectly alright to do. On the other hand, if your card was anything other than just a portfolio example, then yes, you'd want to clear it with your client.

Since you will always be creating new work, I'd personally recommend you don't display artwork on your card, just vital info and your logo, that way you'll have less changes in the future (unless you re-brand yourself).

Good luck.

I don't think it would be legal. I work with some HIGH profile customers, Coke, NFL, etc... and you have to get major sign off on anything that has their logo on it. I wouldn't risk it.