I did a feature on emily a while ago about her, especially after her invention, unfortunately she was really busy at the time doing her exam and we couldnt do an interview with her.

I finally got the chance to ask her some questions, hope you enjoy it!

Hi Emily, great to finally have you on YHP, How are you doing?

I’m very good thank you

Can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?

I am 23 years old and was born near Keighley in West Yorkshire. I went to South Craven School in Crosshills, before going on to study at Leeds University, where I have just graduated from.

When did it all begin, I mean, the whole inventing stage?

When I was four, my Grandad gave me a hammer and began to teach me how to make toys from scraps of materials that we found in his garden shed. I loved the fact that we could make something out of seemingly random bits, and my interest in sustainable design was born.

As I got older I learnt about the properties of different materials and became more experienced in using a wide range of tools. I guess my skills in technology were always one step ahead of the other students my age.

You invented an evaporative refrigerator that does not require electricity, first of all, wow, how the hell did you come up with that? What is the story behind it?

I was inspired by a speaker, who talked about the issues of Climate Change and Global Warming. He described how we can’t continue to rely on electrical appliances powered by fossil fuels any longer, so I decided that for my A Level in product design I would redesign one of the luxury electrical items that we use in our homes so that it either used renewable energy or no electricity at all.

I researched which products we use in our homes and chose to redesign the refrigerator to create a sustainable fridge which is ‘powered’ by dirty water. My prototype consists of two metallic cylinders, one inside the other, between which a material, (such as sand or wool) is packed tightly before being soaked with water.

When the fridge is placed in a warm environment, the outer part of the fridge begins to ’sweat.’ Water evaporates from the sand or wool and heat energy is transferred away from the inner cylinder, which therefore becomes cooler.

Although I originally intended my refrigerator to change people’s thinking about the products that we use in our homes, the design was too simple.

However, it is ideal for use in the developing world because it doesn’t require electricity and can be built using barrels, spare car parts and ordinary household materials. Unlike previous pot-in-pot coolers, the contents are kept dry and hygienic because the water does not come into contact with the product.

You were doing all those work whilst still in the university? How were you able to cope with it, keeping the balance and discipline?

I won’t say it was easy, I was doing a lot of “all nighters”, but realised this was not good for me! Instead of thinking I could do everything myself, I simply asked for help.

The University of Leeds were brilliant, they allowed me to study part-time so I could combine my University work with all the projects that I was working on outside of University. Leeds University also offers scholarships for enterprising students which enabled me to further my enterprise activities. My degree complimented my enterprise activities as well – it was the perfect combination.

Why is the invention directed towards a green initiative? Do you think this is something everyone should be thinking or inventors out there should be considering?

My design philosophy involves a back-to-basics approach which keeps an eye on the past as well as the future and combines the best of both. I’m motivated by human need as well as sustainability principles.

How were you able to fund the whole of process?

I funded it in a variety of ways. Firstly I used to save the money I won in the design competitions I entered when I was at school. I then worked part-time at B&Q, saving the money or spending it on product development.

When funding my gap year I spoke to local companies, I held a raffle and some other fundraising events. Just before I went to Africa, I also won £5000 in a business plan competition run by the Merchant Adventurers. After coming back from Africa I was sponsored by a company called Ignite! I used the money from them to further develop both myself and my products.

How has the journey been so far? Opportunities it has given you?

It has been exciting. When I started out, I never expected this to happen. I wanted to make a difference but I didn’t expect all the publicity. I have had some amazing opportunities as a result though, including going to Buckingham Palace and meeting the Queen, going to Downing Street for breakfast and speaking at events all over the world.

You travelled during your gap year to African countries such as Namibia as it helped or motivate that your invention is needed?

I spent time testing my fridges, identifying materials that they could be produced from and getting feedback from the community members. This enabled me to develop my fridge further to a product that would be suitable to be produced in the townships, using locally sourced materials by community members. I discovered that there was a real need for my product.

The people were really excited by my idea and started to tell their friends about it. The word spread pretty quickly!

What are the necessary ingredients you think one needs to able to start a business in the university or making it successful?

I think you need to be passionate and determined. It isn’t easy, but there is a lot of support out there to help. I always say just have a go, even if you fail, you will still have learnt something in the process.

I know you’ve just graduated from Leeds University, how are you feeling about it?

Excited! It is the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. Although I was able to still combine my studies with my work outside, I always had the pressure of my coursework and exams. Now that pressure has gone, I can explore new projects!

So with that out of the way? What is the next step for you? Are you currently working on another project?

I have recently started working for the inspirational organisation CragRats (www.cragrats.com). CragRats have been around for a while and develop engagement programmes for the youth and adult market. I am working on establishing their not-for-profit entity, CragRats Foundation, with the aim of making it easier for corporate organisations to engage with young people.

It’s still very much early days – but watch this space!

I am also continuing to work on numerous other projects included my inventions, speaking at events and mentoring. It is busy, but then I get bored very easily if I’m not doing things!

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

My time in Africa. I met some amazingly talented and incredible people who were passionate and enthusiastic. It was meeting these people that kept me motivated to work on developing solutions to help solve global problems.

Any tips for any female entrepreneurs out there?

It is an excellent time to be a female entrepreneur. There are a number of initiatives that promote women in business such as the Women in Business Network and Women Unlimited and competitions such as British Female Inventor and Innovators Network (BIFFIN), Women of the Future and Women of the Year awards. As women we should be taking advantage of them all.

Thanks for your time Emily.

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Wheelie bins or home bins now have the chance to smell good, Such an impossible concept has been proven possible by Mr Woolman.

Mr Daniel Woolman has had more than five years in the consumer and hygiene product development department, along with three years in licensing technology, royalty structures and joint ventures in various consumer hygiene products.

Eight years of staunch knowledge has assisted him in creating such an idea that is liked by many.

Mr Woolman is an history graduate from University of Leeds, his years at university instigated Binifresh existence, “each night, people would dread going near the wheelie bins or putting their waste in the wheelie bin due to its intense smell he said”.

Mr Woolman is now the CEO and founder of Binifresh, a company he started in January 2007.

Binifresh organization creates automatic control devices that fit inside wheelie or personal home bins.

Binifresh devices automatically neutralize and eliminate odours from rubbish, as well as killing bacteria on the surface of the bin, using the specially formulated Binifresh refills.

He has sold more than 10,000 units since 2007 within such stores as ASDA, Lakeland and Home base.

Dreams of being within major shops like Tesco have been achieved via maintaining patient and determination.

Binifresh Future looks bright…

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Hi Guys, Had the opportunity to interview Adam Robinson, A graduate from leeds university mastering in product design how an opportunity to travel and study abroad breathed life to his startup Plus Minus Design

Enjoy the interview

HI Adam, How are you doing today? It’s great to have you on YHP, Can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?

Hi, yes my name is Adam Robinson and I am 24 and one of the co-founders of Plus Minus Design. I am a graduate from the University of Leeds completing a masters in Product Design in June 2009 and originally from Highburton a small village in West Yorkshire close to Huddersfield.

How did you get involved with plus minus design?

I met Henry James, one of the co-founders of Plus Minus Design, on the first day of University, since then we were always a formidable team on our degree course. With Henry having considerable creative design talent, and myself skilled in detailed design and commercialisation, working together we were an unbeatable team. Outside studies we had always talked of establishing a business after university.

This was originally going to be TOFU – a designer/maker business of high-end sustainable furniture. In our final year of University however we worked with several multinational clients on commercial design projects and from their feedback we were convinced to entre into design consultancy. This was when Plus Minus Design was formed.

Why start a business? What inspired or motivated you towards taking that action?

In our third year of university Henry and myself took an opportunity to travel to and Study at Carleton University in Ottawa Canada.

To be honest our main motivation for this was to snowboard between classes however when we arrived there we meet a man who inspired us – Brian Burns. Brian is a leading academic figure in Sustainable design principles and it was under his guidance that we research, co-authored and published a text book on sustainable design – EcoSuss.

This experience, coupled with our already strong design skills gave us the expertise to be world leaders at delivering sustainable innovation. Couple this with the relationship we had established with blue chip design buyers and the decision to establish a business was easy.

You run the company with two other co-founders right? How did you guys meet each other?

That’s right I have already mentioned Henry James who I met on the first day of University. The other co-founder is Thomas Eales. Henry and myself met Tom during our final year of studying a Masters in Product Design at the University of Leeds.

Do you think running the business with two other people has helped your business grow or even helped you guys individually?

Most defiantly. One of the reasons we went into business together was because of our complimentary skill sets. Henry is one of the most talented conceptual designers I have ever met. Tom is excellent with new technologies and emerging innovations and personally I complimented for my analytical business leadership, detailed design for manufacture skills and eye for commercialisation. Working together we have built a highly desirable design service working with world leading businesses all over the world. Individually I doubt we could be any more then junior designers.

Let’s take a step back a bit, can you tell a bit about what your company does and what role you play in the business?

Plus Minus Design provides disruptive innovation that maximises social impact and minimises environmental impact– (Plus Minus – You can see where the name comes from now!) What that means is that we provide product ideas that truly change market places. A good example is the apple Ipod, that completely changed the personal music market forever or the Dyson vacuum cleaner that did the same in home cleaning.

This is the type innovative, market-leading design we practise. We couple this with an expert knowledge of environmental principles to minimise impact and maximise on the social and financial benefits.

Personally I am Managing Director of Plus Minus Design and provide both business leadership and project management. I am then supported by Henry in creative design and corporate relationship and Tom in technology and marketing.

What value does your company add to the environment and society?

With the risk of making gross generalisations, many people preaching sustainability are focused on the reduction of consumption – using and buying less. This concept while based on admirable ethics is in itself unsustainable. We live in a global economy that is tied to the consumption of goods and products and have a global economy expanding faster every day.

For people to maintain a good level of living we have to have more consumption not less. This leaves us with one option – improving what we buy. That’s where we come in.

I love products and I love buying the latest gadgets and I’m sure the vast majority of us are the same. For this reason we preach more of the same but better. Every product we design is focused on the improvement of people’s lives while minimising the impact it causes. Zero impact in product design is some way off but we promise zero unnecessary impact.

What would you say was key in getting you guys off your feet, starting this business?

It goes without saying that our expertise and experience with multinational clients was high beneficial. That considered however I would say the key was hard work and determination couple with an excellent support network from the university, our contacts and government schemes. At times in the first 6 months the motivation to keep going was hard to find and we had many setbacks but having a team for three people at least on of use was always in a position to re-motivate the other two and keep driving things forwards.

How were you able to get funding for your business?

The majority of funding for our business was provided by ourselves and a grant from Leeds Universities start-up agency – SPARK.

What role did going to the university have on you guys starting a business? What help and assistance did they make available?

When we started and throughout the history of the business the University of Leeds have been very supportive providing business set-up guidance, proving us with business contacts and support on funding. These services were all provide through the universities business start-up program – SPARK who assistance especially in the early stages was invaluable.

From a commercial aspect they have provided us with contracts from both their own clients and themselves. In addition to this we are regularly invited to high profile networking events operated for Leeds University associates.

What is your aim, what are you looking to achieve with plus minus design?

The aim for Plus Minus Design is to be world leaders at delivering disruptive innovation with a studio presence in Australia, Europe, South Africa and North America. In addition to this however we aim to have a portfolio of world leading product innovations that we have designed and launched for ourselves not just clients, one of which is the Solar Pebble.

So tell us about solar pebble? What was the inspiration behind it?

The Solar Pebble was actually inspired by a fact we heard. “1 person in developing nations dies every 20 seconds from the use of kerosene lighting” that statistic by itself is staggering however after a bit of research we found a bit more… over 50% of green house gasses from developing nation is from burning fuels such as kerosene for lighting and cooking.

Kerosene for lighting costs people over £80 every year (that’s over 1/3 of an average families income). Education is significantly restricted due to the inability to read and work at night. Education about AID and other viruses is highly ineffective due to lack of working radios.

With so many green and safe technologies available in the western world this appalled us and we started work on what evolved in to the Solar Pebble. The Solar Pebble offers users a light source that is 10x’s more powerful then a kerosene lantern, is infinitely safer, can power radios and costs just £5! It charges during the day through a small efficient solar panel and provides light in the evening through 9 LED’s and also powers phones and radios.

What are your next steps now for the solar pebble?

Right now we are exploring licensing opportunities with manufactures who can get this product both out to the markets where it is desperate needed and also to Western markets to be sold as a home, camping and festival accessory. We are in a number of negotiations but if any one is interested please contact me.

What should we be expecting from you in the future?

Most of that’s top secret! What I can say is right now we are exploring a number of app’s to help people save power and help them build contacts when starting a business. Also google “Just Add Water from Plus Minus” a product combating the negative impacts of the bottled water industry. If you will pardon the pun, it just made a big splash on the design blogs!

Do you have any tips for young and aspiring entrepreneurs?

If you have an idea that’s not going to put you in jail, just go for it you will never have a better opportunity. Right now most young people have very little to lose and few family restrictions meaning the only way is up! When we started we were heavily in debt from education and nothing to our names. Most people saw this as a restriction and said we needed to work for a few years to get some working capital together. We saw it as an opportunity – with nothing to lose there’s only one direction!

Thanks for your time Adam, good luck!

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