A FORMER Huddersfield University student found inspiration for his latest invention on the ski slopes.
Phil Mundy has come up with iPrints, small adhesive strips that can be attached to the fingertips of any glove to make it easier for the user to operate a smartphone or tablet.
Phil developed the concept following his own frustrations trying to answer an important phone call while on a ski chair lift.
He teamed up with clothing manufacturer Fordville to develop and make the product, which was launched last November to target the skiing and winter-sports market.
But it has seen demand exceed all expectations – with the initial run of 8,000 strips selling out over Christmas as “everyday” glove wearers warmed to the handy product.
The iPrints can be fitted to any existing pair of gloves, including winter-sport, motorbike and even work-wear gloves. They can also be branded to feature company logos, trademarks and other branding.
Mark Press, managing director of Fordville, commented: “Due to their size and the nature of their use, iPrints make an effective promotional product.”
Phil graduated from Huddersfield University in 2004, when he became managing director of Creative North, a company based at the Media Centre’s Creative Lofts that developed games for mobile phones.
But he was keen to launch a tangible product, rather than developing software.
Said Phil: “The current economic climate is a huge catalyst for change and innovation within the business place. If you are smart and take a clever approach, it doesn’t need to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to market a product – as exemplified by the iPrints.”
The iPrints product is available online at www.iprints.org.uk
