11.05.2006
Portrait photography is set to be revolutionised by the winner of this year's University of Brighton Student Innovation Award which took place on 11 May and was judged by a team of city entrepreneurs.
The new technique - MirrorMe, developed by Editorial Photography graduate Nienke Van Wijk, captures expression in a way that has never been seen before, bringing out the true identity of the subject (example shown right).
"This is a fresh alternative to posed picture library images that the current market need", said Elizabeth Spencer-Phillips. Fellow judges advised that Nienke gets to market as quickly as possible and enthused that the potential for a franchise is huge!
The simplicity of the product and the enormity of the market impressed Anthony Bullock when awarding the student Entrepreneurial Award to Christopher Sears, Design and Technology student. The novel golf practice tool enables golfers to improve their technique. "The golf market is huge and world-wide - this product could be a money-spinner," said Marc Koska. "It has strong commercial potential and that winning combination of low costs and high sales," added Andy Heath.
As summer approaches stuffy offices become a real issue. Winners of the staff Entrepreneurship Awards, Dr. Mike McEvoy and Dr. Ryan Southall both from the School of Architecture and Design have solved the problem with an innovative type of background ventilation which brings a breath of fresh air to homes and offices! "Air conditioning hasn't changed in years, so it's fantastic to see this innovation moving ahead of the market," said Elizabeth Spencer-Phillips.
A wonderful example of science with genuine application won the staff Innovation Award according to judge Anthony Bullock. The award went to Dianne Dyball, Dr. Kenneth Ip and Professor Andrew Miller all from the School of the Environment for an original ceiling system concept that provides cooling comfort in retrofit office applications. "This entry covered all three of the winning criteria - social, educational and commercial," said Ray Richards. "It's impressively topical and futuristic and has great, great potential," added Marc Koska.
The winners will share a prize fund of £8,000, but perhaps of greater use, they will benefit from the experience and advice of the university's Business Services department.
"The standard of this year’s entries was exceptional," concluded the university's Entrepreneurial Manager Jane L. North. "I'm looking forward to seeing the winners' take their products and services to market in the next 12 to 18 months. I would like to thank all the judges as well as all those who entered the awards."
Andrew Toal, Head of Business Services at the university said: "It is vital that Higher Education is used as a national resource for stimulating an enterprising culture among undergraduates, some of whom may become the future entrepreneurial base of the UK, running their own businesses or creating entrepreneurial environments and opportunities. This is why the university publicly supports innovation and entrepreneurialism through these awards."
The panel of judges consisted of Anthony Bullock from antwords who returned to the judging panel for the second year running. He was joined by Ray Richards, MD of Spanner works, (one of the UK's leading search marketing agencies and a Brighton MBA graduate), Andy Heath of PH-Media and Elizabeth Spencer-Phillips, of Caburn Hope. Andrew Toal, Head of Business Services at the university, Marc Koska, OBE, from Star Syringes, which has just won the Queen's Award for Enterprise and Jacky Misson, Sussex Entrepreneur of the Year of nido marketing also gave their expert opinion.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
