Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh
Description
Designer Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh has invented Formerol™ - a colourful and malleable range of materials that are set to pioneer the concept of mass-customisation in functional products.
Formerol allows manufacturers to create malleable parts for their products, such astools or kitchen utensils, which users can then personalise for their individual comfort. It is shaped at room-temperature and then sets to a tough, resilient finished product, using an innovative curing system.
Jane developed the technology and idea for Formerol as a post-graduate design student at the Royal College of Art. She imagined a way that people could improve their products in a fun and easy way, such as taps made easier to turn and hot pan handles made safer. "The ideas seemed endless," she says.
Why we funded
Formerol has applications across a wide variety of industries, ranging from healthcare and water-sports, to construction. The first product lines are currently being developed with a manufacturer of high-end professional hand-tools.
Although Formerol™ can be seen as the simple commercialisation of an invention or discovery, Jane is unusual in that she is a creative who leads the company," says Creative Pioneer Programme Business Support Manager, Mark Elliott.
"She had the opportunity to use her creative approach to build a highly unusual and potentially hugely successful business in an industry dominated by traditional technology business models."
Impact
Through the RCAs innovation unit, Jane linked up with business partner Roger Ashby, who brings widespread experience of international licensing. Together they have built a world-class team, which includes two specialist materials scientists, a marketing consultant and an industrial designer.
Already Formerol has attracted interest from manufacturers and distributors in a number of market sectors, as well as investors.
Written: April 2007
Individual:
Jane Ni Dhulchaointigh
Programme:
Creative Pioneer
Discipline:
Design
Location:
London
Funding:
£35,000
Other funders:
Lacomp plc
Year funded:
2005
Website:
www.formerol.com