team

Meet the team behind HUG

HUG by LAUGH ltd. is a spin out company from Cardiff Metropolitan University. The founding members are researchers from the LAUGH project. The company is founded on eight years for design research led by Prof Treadaway which is published internationally and is considered world leading in the field of design for advanced dementia. Our value is not only in the HUG product that we have developed, but also the underpinning research and Compassionate Design approach.

Dr Jac Fennell

Managing Director

Jac is a Product Designer, Lecturer and Researcher. She is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and gained real-world industry experience working in the R&D labs for Hewlett-Packard and Philips, and as a design researcher for IDEO and MIT MediaLab.

Prof Cathy Treadaway

Research Director

Cathy is Professor at Cardiff Metropolitan University and lead investigator for the LAUGH research. Prior to her return to academia in 2003, she ran a successful design consultancy for 17 years selling work globally.

Aidan Taylor

Technical Director

Aidan has a background in creative practice and electronics, and has worked in product development, technical manufacturing and production at Model Electronics. He has a long affiliation with 'Maker Movement' and arts initiatives.