Most of us have received or sent a greeting card, keeping some as treasured mementos. But have you ever wondered about the greeting cards collected by design museums like the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian?

This project explores their collection of 577 greeting cards, unfolding the design elements that make these cards memorable.

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We usually send greeting cards for specific occasions, and some occasions are more popular than others. Most of the cards in this collection were donated to the museum by people like you. Let’s explore by click on each occasions.

Each occasion features a variety of design elements and colors that represent it. If we examine the vibrant colors of these cards, some palettes stand out as more popular than others. Warm tones dominate the collection, while blue tones are less common.

Design elements in the collection are less varied, often repeating similar themes that can be grouped into 10 categories. The most popular themes include Human, Nature, and Flower motifs. Most cards feature straightforward, easily recognizable visuals rather than abstract designs. Additionally, many include text on the cover, enhancing the imagery rather than relying solely on it.

The combination of colors and design elements varies subtly across occasions. Warm colors are used across all elements, even in nature-themed designs, which are often not green. Cool colors tend to appear more in geometric shapes or architectural designs. Flowers with warm tones, however, seem to be the perfect choice for any occasion.