OVERVIEW
NOW – BE PRESENT is a speculative timepiece that invites users to slow down and reflect on the meaning of time. Inspired by the act of tuning a radio, it transforms timekeeping into a mindful ritual—helping people escape the noise of daily life and reconnect with the present moment.
CONCEPT & INSPIRATION
Technology has accelerated communication, creating a culture of urgency and expectation. NOW – BE PRESENT challenges this anxious rhythm by shifting the role of the clock—from a stress-inducing device to a tool for mindful reflection.
Inspired by the act of tuning a radio, it invites users to slow down and search for the present moment. The interaction requires users to match a wooden dial to the hour hand, gradually silencing white noise and encouraging presence. Rather than solving a practical problem, this speculative object uses critical design to provoke reflection on how we perceive and value time.
RESEARCH
To explore people’s perceptions of time, I conducted in-depth interviews with 10 individuals from 8 different cultures, ranging in age from 9 to 71. Four key themes emerged from this qualitative research:
- Value of Time – Time is often treated as a currency, linked with hierarchy, productivity, and worth.
- Awareness of Time – Many felt time passes unconsciously, often lacking physical cues in modern urban environments.
- Time Anxiety – The pressure to meet others’ time expectations causes stress and impatience.
- Speed of Time – People perceive time as fast or slow depending on events, deadlines, and emotional states.
These insights laid the foundation for a design that reflects the emotional and social dimensions of time, rather than its mechanical accuracy.
DESIGN & PROTOTYPING
This project was a personal turning point where I merged my industrial and interaction design skills to build a physical interactive object from scratch. I started with sketches and quickly moved into iterative physical prototyping using Arduino. I experimented with materials, eventually choosing warm wood for the dial to create a tactile, calming interaction.
Multiple user testing sessions were conducted throughout the prototyping process to validate the interaction flow and emotional response. Observing how participants responded to sound, rhythm, and tactility helped refine the design to feel both intuitive and reflective.
EXHIBITION & FEEDBACK
NOW – BE PRESENT was exhibited at the CIID Final Exhibition in Copenhagen. Visitors were invited to interact with the prototype and reflect on their personal relationship with time.
The feedback was encouraging—many people appreciated the calm interaction and interpreted the piece as a gentle reminder to pause and be present. Some suggested a wearable version, such as a mindfulness wristwatch, that could act as a portable cue. The exhibition confirmed that speculative, critical design can create space for meaningful dialogue.
PROJECT INFO
— INSTITUTION
Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design
— MENTOR
Nicholas Zambetti
— ROLE
Design Research
Concept Development prototyping
Sound Interaction Design
— YEAR
2014
As the sole creator, I led every aspect of the project—from conducting international user research to concept development, physical prototyping, and final exhibition. The insights I gathered shaped a design that encourages people to pause and reconnect with the present.
This project marked a turning point in my design journey, where I integrated diverse skills acquired at CIID—including Arduino, coding, sound design, and tangible interaction. It was my first time transforming a conceptual idea into a fully functional prototype. The process challenged me to merge industrial and interaction design, blending technical execution with emotional intent.
More than solving a problem, this project taught me how design can serve as a critical tool to question norms and inspire reflection through meaningful experiences.