Some subjects lend themselves naturally to MiniCards and Business Cards – what could be more tempting than a picture of, say, a tin of sweeties, or a delicate filigree necklace? And other subjects are little more challenging. Like, for example, mathematics. How do you promote yourself when you’re a Cambridge-educated maths genius with a clutch of degrees and a bundle of prizes to your name? How to stop people going “Ew, maths – boring!” and trying to run away when you start talking about what you do?
Matthew Handy knows how. He’s a private maths teacher, providing tuition to individuals and small groups to help them pass their Maths and Further Maths A-levels. He helps with undergraduate courses with mathematical content, and advises pupils on UCAS, including Oxbridge. He also designs some rather nifty business cards – take a look at these Bauhaus-inspired beauties…
His cards feature mathematical theorems and diagrams in classic red, black and white colours, turning what might have been a potentially dry and challenging business card into a beautiful visual object that can also, of course, double up as a study aid. We got in touch with Matthew to tell him how much we liked his cards, and to find out how a maths guru like him developed such a knack for canny self-marketing.
The first print run (of 200) ran out within a week! Students love them because they cover the topics that they have the most difficulty remembering. Although mathematics is about understanding, it is much easier if you’ve learnt the building blocks. For younger students it’s the times tables. At A-level, it’s the material that I’ve put on my cards. I got so frustrated at writing out those formulas over and over again and this seemed the perfect way of promoting my services and demonstrating how useful they could be.
I’ve always been fascinated by page design. As a young kid I used to collect headed notepaper. I would write to big companies, just so they’d write back and I could add to my collection. I first discovered the Apple Mac at university – it blew me away – and since then I’ve worked on a number of design projects: from books and newspapers, to corporate image work for schools, a restaurant and a record company.
I love the whole process of producing something printed. Watching the first copies of MXpress coming off the presses was incredible: this huge room-sized machine, manned by half a dozen people, churning out tens of thousands of copies of something I’d created. It was like watching the birth of my first child. I love print.
I’ve so far always opted for the Classic. It’s beautiful. That’s part of the pleasure I get from print: the physical feel of the material. I really should try the Green, though.
I’m a control freak, so I love the process. I can change things as often as I want without annoying anyone!
That’s certainly on the cards (excuse the pun!). I’ve also thought about using the MiniCards as key-ring crib sheets.
I’m a huge fan of MOO. Everything is so stylish, and it’s all done with a real sense of fun. The small print runs allow experimentation and flexibility, which is terrific for a small business like mine.
And for those who are confused by the ‘s’ on the end of the word ‘math’ – that’s just the way we say it in the UK ;-)
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these are awesome!
great!
As a former math teacher in the 70s-80s, I am amazed at these! What a wonderful, useful idea and so creative, too!
These are great!
Moo would be such an easy way to create a card set as a type of inspiration or instructional tool for any subject matter.
I’ve often thought IDEO’s method cards were a great idea that could be transfered to lots of subjects. Here’s a link for inspiration
http://www.ideo.com/work/item/method-cards/
Definitely on my list of ideas to try using Moo.
Very creative and practical use for the cards, the possibilities really are limitless. Very inspiring!
With more people going to the Internet for answers, these cards are perfect.
We used a similar concept for a wedding planner whereby the planner can showcase previous wedding photos on each card so the planner has a visual for prospects to build upon imagination.
There are many online printer and MOO is raising the bar for creative folk to offer clients or expand personal branding.
I love this idea!! I would totally buy a set for 2nd grade and 5th grade math. My daughter in 5th grade struggles and what a great concept to make it fun! Let me know if you do this and I will forward it out to all my friends! Love it!
Wonderful……
brilliant use of the cards. my children could use these as well, and I think they would love the both novelty and practicality.
This is such a great idea! Well done! Spicing up learning this way – what a gift offering.
Giving me something to think about!!
Thank you!
Thank you so much to Moo, and to those of you who have commented so generously, for your support and encouragement. I really appreciate it :)
cute cards..
I think these are fantastic. I would not mind creating some of my own dealing with calculus and dynamical systems. Totally cool!!!
What would make this even better is if Moo could offer a service to drill a hole in the cards so you could put them on a ring. This may be useful to others using them for tags, etc…
Hey, love the designs!
I’ve been thinking about creating sets of 50 cards, each with a different marketing principle/idea on them and selling them or making them a bonus as membership to a marketing service I’ll be offering soon.
In fact, I’m visiting this site right now as I was double-checking quantity and price for that very idea!
Coincidence, or the universe telling me to go for it? hmmm…
Thanks MOO!
These look great – and a great way to start a new connection…but how should you receive someone’s card to ensure that they LOVE you?? Watch this!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiWmHc3vbas
Fab cards!
Wow, what a terrific idea!! I’m a maths tutor in Australia, and I get sick of writing down all those formulas too. I write them all on a page and make photocopies but that’s so 1980s :-) I’ve often wondered if there was a better way – never thought of combining them with the self promotion of a business card. Genius! Mind if I ‘borrow’ the idea? Hehe