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- an interview with ex winner Enna Rizvic

Enna Rizvic, student Industrial Design, won the 'ASML Makers Award’ during the TU/e Contest 2016 with her idea ‘Digital Garden’. She designed two flowers that visualise digital contact. The flowers are digitally connected and reflect the number of contact moments between two people. Enna’s drive behind her design was the illness of her mother in law. Enna: '' I noticed that psychical contact often is too tiring for sick people. That's why I wanted to design something that connects people to each other at a distance. ''

What did you learn at the TU/e Contest?

''I have become more commercial and pragmatic. I learned to focus more on the needs of the target group. Who will buy my product? And what is its added value?

I also learned to be more loyal to my own ideas. At the TU/e Contest I was challenged to think about other forms and techniques, which is important. But at one point I had an enormous amount of choices, which made me a little confused. Then I realized that a lot of people have really good ideas, but eventually you have to make a choice on your own. How? Always keep your ultimate goal in mind and see which choices bring you closer to achieving this goal. Above all; keep it simple and concrete.''

How did partners of the TU/e Contest, like ASML, help you?

‘’ASML helped me with the shape and technology of my prototype. I made my first prototype during my degree. It was a rough draft, as the technical components did not fit inside the product. I presented this first prototype during an open day at the university. I displayed my design on a table, which I was forced to do, as the table hid the electrical wires dangling underneath it!

After the TU/e Contest, with the help of ASML, I printed my design in 3D and made all parts fit the product. My design no longer ‘needs’ a table, you can actually pick it up and hold it now.''

Are you a typical entrepreneur?

''No! Not at all, I am quite introverted. So after my registration for the TU/e Contest I hesitated a little bit: can I do this? Will it suit me? Nevertheless, I decided to go for it. I could at least describe my idea, I had nothing to lose.

Towards the end of the contest, during the finals, I was so scared of pitching my idea. But surprisingly, I had much more guts than I thought!’’

What characteristics are important for an entrepreneur?

‘’You should not be put off by risks, because you will be investing money without knowing what the future will bring. This uncertainty is quite scary.’’

Have you built a network through participating in the TU/e Contest?

''Yes, absolutely, especially ASML helped me with networking. They give me the opportunity to present my prototype during the Dutch Design Week at the booth 'smart design'. Through this exhibition I have gained some interesting contacts. I met a company that can outsource my future production to Taiwan, so maybe I will go to Taiwan this summer.''
 

Are you going to market your prototype?

''In a few weeks I will start the Master’s programme ‘Industrial Design’, I am not sure if I can combine this degree with entrepreneurship. But it would be great if my product gets marketed one day, that is my ultimate goal.''

Do you have any tips for students joining the TU/e Contest this year?

 ''Just do it, you have nothing to lose! It is a fun experience and very instructive.''