3 Fundamental Techniques for Interactive Card Designs | Perfect Pairings with Jaycee + Video Tutorial!

Hi Altenew friends, it's Jaycee with three interactive card design tips!

Gatefold cards are easy to make now that Altenew has added another crafting essential to their online shop. I love the small profile of the Crafter's Essential Scoring Board. I can easily store the board when I do not need it, but it is never too far out of reach.

Is a Gatefold Card an Interactive Card?

I consider interactive cards to contain a visually or physically interesting card design element that your recipient can admire. Visually by metallic textures, realistic watercoloring, masking techniques…anything that is immediately visible that you might want to stare at for a while. Physically by actual touch: sequins, thread, dimension, embossing, debossing…etc.

So yes, I treat gatefold cards as interactive cards because they can contain both previous card design elements, even if the card does not immediately pop out at your recipient.

Let's look at three modern ways to make this unique type of interactive card.

Below is my Perfect Pairing video series. The score lines I mention are 2 1/8″ and 6 3/8″ for a portrait, center-folding gatefold card.

1. Eliminate Card Bulk with Stamps and Foil

In my own observation, many gatefold card techniques contain layers of paper and cardstock. While these cards are beautiful and a labor of love, I think modern designs can be achieved by breaking down the background into minimal elements.

Full background stamps or an entire background of hot foiling is an easy way to make your own background without the bulk of the paper.

2. Harmony in Asymmetry

I think the temptation in gatefold cards is to make mirrored sides of the card ‘flaps.' The symmetry is beautiful and can be easily made with some Altenew stencils, cover dies, and background stamps.

However, the interactive card element really shines if you add asymmetric elements to your design. This disruption in harmonious symmetrical elements makes your recipient gaze at your asymmetric layer. I suggest making your focal element–in this case, my floral bouquet–your asymmetrical element.

3. Sentimental Card Strip

I love gatefold cards that have a cigar band. It reminds me of a bow on a gift. As mentioned earlier, there are two aspects of interactivity. The harmony in asymmetry is a visual interactive element. The cigar band is the physical aspect of interactivity.

I added my sentiment strip to my cigar band so that the recipient has to literally touch the sentiment and remove it from the card. This gives your recipient time to admire the card even more before seeing the handmade note you have left for them.

I hope you enjoyed this modern take on gatefold cards. Thank you so much for reading and watching!

Materials and Supplies:

Winter Typography Stamp & Die Bundle [ ALTN ] Crafter's Essential Scoring Board [ ALTN ] Crafter's Essential Bone Folder –… [ ALTN ] Dotted Starburst Debossing Cover Die [ ALTN ] Stamp Conditioning Eraser [ ALTN ] Shrub Rose Stamp & Die Bundle [ ALTN ] Brushed Rose Metallic Cardstock (10… [ ALTN ] Red Sunset Crisp Dye Ink Mini Cube Set [ ALTN ] Artist Markers Set C [ ALTN ] New Day Card Kit Heart Frame Die Set [ ALTN ] Instant Dimension Foam Tape [ ALTN ] Sequins Satin Gold [ ALTN ]