22 March 2013

Pillow Talk brings more success for DJCAD graduate Joanna

University of Dundee graduate Joanna Montgomery has been named Innovator of the Year in the 2013 everywoman in Technology Awards.

Joanna (25) is the creative mind behind the internet phenomenon 'Pillow Talk', a product that enables long-distance lovers to hear their partner's heartbeat as they drift off to sleep.

She graduated from the Digital Interaction Design programme at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) in 2010, and Pillow Talk proved one of the most popular exhibits at that year's Degree Show. After graduating, Joanna founded her company, Little Riot, to develop the project into a commercial product.

To date, she has successfully secured more than £60,000 of development funding and won nine awards for innovation and enterprise. Pillow Talk has attracted nearly one million YouTube hits, and the product has generated widespread media coverage, including primetime features on CNN and The Discovery Channel. Joanna recently closed a six-figure investment deal to expand the company's operations, and the product is due to launch later this year.

Pillow Talk consists of a wristband sensor and a pillow speaker for each person. The wristband picks up the wearer's heartbeat and transmits it via smartphone app to the other person's pillow. Consequently, when you place your head on your pillow at night, you can hear the real-time heartbeat of your loved one.

Joanna said she was delighted to have won this latest award and explained the genesis of the project.

"Technology has become something we actively engage with every day and I wanted my concept to fit in with the user's life, rather than be added on top of it," she said.

"My area of interest is connecting people with technology using design. I am excited by the concept of "digital intimacy/presence" - specifically using physical objects to allow people to interact with each other in subtle, engaging ways.

"As a female running a technology company, I am in the minority, so it's great to be chosen as a role model. My gender shouldn't matter but the reality is that not everyone feels that way, so I hope I can help start pushing back against the stereotypes".

Founded in 1999, the everywoman Business Network seeks to support women at any stage of their careers. The everywoman in Technology Awards recognise, celebrate and encourage female talent in technology. The awards were launched in 2011 to showcase talented women as role models. It is hoped the awards will encourage more women to work in technology.

The Innovator of the Year award goes to a woman designing, developing, researching or implementing technology in an unconventional and innovative way. This could be for a new technology application or architectural initiative in the public, private sector or within an academic institution. This award is sponsored by The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

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