Nigel Hinson, from Lymington, has been awarded a £5,500 Audi Design Foundation grant. The 22-year-old Frimley-born student who is studying Industrial Design and Technology at Brunel University in Englefield Green, Surrey, has designed an Interactive Origami Machine.

Hinson, who started the project in October, is fascinated with designing and creating complex forms and believes Origami has a wide appeal. "Origami is the Chinese art of paper folding and was invented in the 2nd century AD, but nowadays is studied by mathematicians and designers," commented Nigel. "My idea of an automated, paper sculpture folding machine is unique, will be complex and extremely challenging but also great fun."

Hinson hopes designing the machine, which combines linear movement control, vacuum technology and microprocessor control, will help him to explore the ways in which interactivity can be built in to anything from a home appliance to a high-tech production plant.

Nigel continued: "Financial support from the Audi Design Foundation means I can use the best components and technology available. I'm currently finalising the designs and drawing the Interactive Origami Machine in 3D cad ready for building the final working prototype.

"The next step is the purchasing of all the components and the manufacture of the parts," concluded Hinson who hopes to have the final prototype completed in February.

"We're especially looking for innovative designs that have both form and function and which need initial funding to buy materials, components and perhaps specialist services required to build a prototype," confirmed AudiDesign Foundation manager Michael Farmer.

"This project is a typical example and that's why we've chosen it to receive financial support so that it can progress to the next stage of its development."

Design and technology students or indeed any budding James Dyson, regardless of age, can use the funding to get their idea from drawing board to the prototype stage and ultimately, possibly manufacture.

Launched in August 1997, the Audi Design Foundation has awarded almost a hundred grants totalling nearly £500,000. An Audi Design Foundation grant can be for as little as £500 to over £20,000 and so the number of individual grants available is not limited. Prospective applicants should log on to www.audidesignfoundation.org