Background

Design and engineering for early ideas. We take an idea to its first form: researched, designed, built and tested.

  • Product discovery
  • Software
  • Hardware

Services
[01]3 to 4 weeks

Shape

Interviews, user journeys and user stories, until it is clear who the thing is for and what it has to do.

  • Brief
  • Journeys and stories
  • Costed plan for the build
[02]10 to 16 weeks

Prove

A working prototype in software, hardware or both, tested with the people it is for. Ends with a demo and a technical summary you can put in front of investors or a grant panel.

  • Working prototype
  • Test results
  • Demo and technical summary
[03]1 week

Hand over

Drawings, code and documentation for whoever builds it next, and a plan for what comes after the first form.

  • Drawings and files
  • Code and documentation
  • Next-step plan
On request

Full builds

When the idea is proven and you want us to keep going, we build software through to release.

For
  • First-time foundersYou have the idea and the drive, not the engineers. We are the technical side until you have one.
  • Researchers and inventorsYou have the solution. We find out whether the problem is real, who has it, and whether they need it solved your way.
  • Early-stage startupsYou need a working demo for a pilot, a pitch or a grant milestone, and you need it to hold up.
Capabilities

Researched

  1. Discovery and user research
  2. User journeys and stories

Designed

  1. Human-centred design
  2. Mechanical design and CAD

Built

  1. Software: web, mobile, embedded
  2. Electronics and firmware
  3. 3D printing and fabrication

Tested

  1. Testing with users
  2. Documentation and hand over
Info

formwork is a design and engineering studio in Melbourne, started in 2026 by Leah Martinez and Dr Julie Dao. We work with first-time founders, researchers and early-stage startups who have an idea and no team yet to build it. Research first, until it is clear who the thing is for and what it has to do. Then design and build, in software, electronics and mechanical parts together, through to a prototype that is tested with real people.

In building, formwork is the temporary mould that holds concrete in shape while it sets. Once the concrete can carry its own weight, the form comes off. We do the same for ideas: we give them their first form, prove that it holds, and hand over everything the next team needs. We stop at proof; production is for whoever comes next.

Studio
(+)
Leah Martinez
director, engineering
(+)
Dr Julie Dao
director, research and validation
Est.
2026, Melbourne
Contact

hello@formwork.melbourne