Georgina
Rebecca

How did it come about?

Georgina Godwin was a heavy smoker – to her shame. She began as a teenager. "I loved not only the feeling nicotine gave me but the whole rigmarole surrounding it. Make a phone call – light a fag. Start the car engine – insert cigarette. Break from work, quick puff outside. I gave up smoking once, for a morning, but was in such a bad mood everyone begged me to begin again. Didn't take much persuading.

But then I began to feel increasingly under pressure – it was more and more difficult to smoke in public. I started looking for alternatives, and found a white plastic device that was slightly reminiscent of a tampon. I loved the concept – but hated the design.

Being non technical (I'm a broadcaster, specialising in Southern African politics) I knew that I probably couldn't come up with anything better on my own… but I knew a girl who could…"

Rebecca Minnitt is a product designer who smokes only when indulging in a glass of red wine. She has a proven track record in designing with a unique flair for capturing people's natural tendencies, and has identified the aspects of the smoking habit which can be designed for fiddling -- touch, mouth feel and aesthetics -- and captured these in her sleek pipe design.

"The aspect of 'fiddling' with something on the table whilst out with my friends appeals very much to my hectic nature. Nico helps focus my thoughts in conversation as well as showing off this new hand-held jewel. I have carefully designed the pipe with both a non-smoker and a smoker in mind."