UNbrella Brolly: Bring Your Own Canopy

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It is somehow appropriate that the UNbrella Eco-Brolly sports an English newspaper in the product shot. The pocket-sized tube unfolds and forms a scaffold for the free newspapers found all around Blighty and holds them above your head, protecting you from that other Great British product: Rain.

The thing is, it’s not much smaller than a normal umbrella, which is something readily available for only a few pounds anywhere you might find a newspaper. The second problem is that newspaper, while excellent and insulating bedding material for both hamsters and hobos, is far from waterproof. Better is designer Shiu Yuk Yuen’s idea to use it with a plastic shopping bag.

Texts from the designer:

This umbrella can re-use and adapt objects such as newspaper, card, and plastic bag and turn it into an umbrella. It can re-use whatever the consumer thinks of reusing. It is a supporting devise when it rains, all the user has to do is unscrew the top lid, poke the lid onto the middle of the newspaper, quick screw to secure it & open it out like an umbrella!

Designer: Shiu Yuk Yuen

It is used for short distances, but it can be used longer, by clipping the clips at each end of the umbrella onto the newspaper to stabilise it. It is pocket size, lightweight aluminium, suitable for Britain, where the weather is unpredictable, especially for Central Londoners, where free newspaper is available.