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Hurst Green teacher invents new technical drawing tool
Hurst Green inventor, Mark Wemyss-Holden, with the 3D drawing tool 'Isosketch' that will hit the market soon.
They say the simplest designs and ideas are the best and a local inventor is hoping the old adage stands firm.
Design and Technology teacher Mark Wemyss-Holden, a former CRGS pupil, has come up with what he describes as “the simplest drawing tool on the market”, after hitting on the idea when his students complained they were struggling in some aspects of technical drawing.
The result is the Isosketch, a drawing tool which creates perfect 3D sketches in seconds and fits easily into a pocket or pencil case. Isosketch combines all the templates and stencils needed to create perfect isometric drawings in seconds, even if the user’s skill base goes no further than being able to hold a pencil.
Mark (28), who is formerly of Hurst Green and now lives in Manchester, explained how the initial idea for the Isosketch has led to him producing every aspect of the product himself, from manufacturing the tool on a larger scale to marketing and even doing the packaging: “After making the first prototypes, I asked students with differing level of technical drawing expertise to test it to see what they would come up with. My initial idea was to come up with something that made technical drawing foolproof, but the more advanced students blew me away with the more intricate designs they produced. It has proved to me the Isosketch really does have a place in the market and is suitable for all abilities and ages.”
After studying product design at A Level, Mark went on to gain his PGCE and became a secondary school teacher. Having taught Design and Technology for five years at secondary school level, he now teaches at Aquinas Sixth Form Centre, Stockport.
He continued: “I was demonstrating a new laser cutting tool at school one day to the kids and was trying to think of something to make. I’d been toying with the idea of a simple drawing aid for a while, so I made it on the day and went on to make 19 more versions. The skill is in the angles of the tool and it took me a few goes to get it absolutely right.”
At a cost of £4.99 including delivery, the Isosketch’s price point seems to be a major factor in its growing success.
Mark continued: “I wanted to keep the price in line with other stationery products such as protractors and set squares and make it as affordable as possible for students. The BBC learning channel have recently featured it and sales have increased rapidly as a result – I’ve sold about 150 to date. I’ll continue to sell the Isosketch online, but am also in the process of approaching large stationery chains such as Staples and WH Smith. I’ve had a great degree interest so far.”
• For information on the Isosketch visit: www.isosketch.co.uk
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Tuesday 18 June 2013
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