James Dyson Award past winners: Rollo, 2022

For people like myself who live with eczema, we’re often told not to scratch our skin, as the force and friction will cause it to tear and worsen the condition. Rollo replaces that force with a gentle downward pressure, providing satisfying itch relief while reducing damage to the skin. Rollo’s compact size is intentionally designed for discreet use in public, helping users manage their symptoms comfortably.

I heard about the James Dyson Award through seniors at my university who I look up to – some of them even went on to win the Award! I became curious about how others might respond to Rollo, my final year project back then. This motivated me to apply to the Award.

Winning the Award gave me a real sense of the demand Rollo could have in the market. The recognition brought significant media coverage, which attracted interest from many people who share the same struggles with eczema. Receiving the Award gave me the extra push I needed to pursue my invention further!

Rollo was successfully crowdfunded in 2023, which made it possible to produce our first batch. Since then, we’ve continued manufacturing and expanding production. Once a year, we set up a physical pop-up at an eczema community event to let people try Rollo firsthand before deciding to purchase, making the experience more interactive and accessible.

Working closely with a local manufacturer for Rollo has been an insightful and enriching experience. I’ve learned a lot about the entire production process – from refining the initial designs, selecting colours and resins, and deciding on finishing touches. These on-the-ground experiences go beyond what can be taught in school and put into perspective the variety of expertise needed to put a new product to market. Also, seeing the product in action opens up opportunities for more accurate and honest feedback from its users to help us improve. 

I’m partnering with doctors and hospitals to run a pilot trial, to really assess the impact Rollo can have for people living with eczema.

Design from the heart. Your invention doesn’t have to come from a big problem – it can be something you experience in your daily life. If you truly believe in what you create, your design will resonate with other people too.