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Each of the BSc(Hons) Product Design with Professional Placement students are currently on various work placements around the country and also run the Brighton-based design firm The Process in their spare time. Their product, the enAball, is a portable and adaptable painting device that allows wheelchair users to independently express themselves through the medium of art.

Speaking about the project, team member Peter Barr said: “We wanted to design something that elevated the creative freedom that disabled individuals often find themselves deprived of. The enAball uses a ball bearing as a paint applicator giving the user 360 degrees of movement, and its small size and portable nature requires only a small amount of space to operate. The current market is populated by big, ungainly and messy products that restrict the users’ freedom through flawed rollers, barrels and wheels. The arms are also adaptable meaning the product can attach to a range of wheelchairs - from an adult’s to a child’s.”

The project has been shortlisted for a Santander Prize.

Commenting on making the shortlist team member Benson Pocock said: ”It is a fantastic opportunity, especially after the time and effort we have invested in the project. It would be brilliant to win. We hope that it will spread more awareness of the enAball and the money would be invested in materials and equipment that would allow us to batch produce the product. The next goal is to try and supply more centres across the country and help more people”.

The enAball was developed in conjunction with the Sussex MS Centre. This allowed the students to work directly with people with MS and design their product through a user-centred approach. The students also worked with the national charity REMAP and have been nominated for their annual award.