Productivity Light

A Studying & Safety Companion

Interaction Design
Integrated-electronics
Coding
Productivity light in studio setting with its arms spread to start the timer intervals

Overview

Who

College Students

What

A dual-purpose portable tool incorporating the Pomodoro Technique to enhance focus and memory retention during study sessions. Additionally, functioning as a flashlight, providing safety for students traveling home at night.

Background

Technology,
A Double-edge Sword

While personal devices – like phones, tablets, and computers – offer the possibility for productivity, it also introduces potential distractions that can impede focus and productivity.

Proven Studying Methods

The Pomodoro Technique, a time-management method, divides studying sessions into cycles – typically 25 minutes – separated by short breaks, providing structured periods of productivity followed by rest, creating a system that rewards short-term achievements and maintains engagement.

Conditions

Where do students study?

Not at home.

When do students study?

At night.

Do students study socially?

3x more alone.

How do students carry stuff?

Bookbags or totes.

How can a product prioritize productivity and support safety for college students in a portable package?

Fresh Thinking & New Interactions

Designed to segment productivity sessions into repeating cycles of working and resting periods. The user can select 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 minute cycle times, where the last 20% of the cycle is always dedicated to the resting period.

Female hand holding the productivity light in its compact (off-mode) formClose-up side-view of the arms revealing the hidden ticks for the timer settingFemale hand setting down the productivity light after setting the timer by displacing the armsFemale hands adjust the angle between the arms to set up the timerFemale hand holds the productivity light in flashlight mode

Effortlessly Flip
to Turn On

Adjust the Arms to Dial-In

  • Vacuum-formed Opaque External Diffusion Layer

  • Vacuum-formed Translucent Fresnel-like Lens

  • Bent Wood Arms w/ Laser-engraved Duration Indicators

  • Snap-fit Pivot-point Mechanism

  • Microprocessor

  • Full-color LED Light Strip

  • Dual-system Rotary Encoders

  • 9DoF Accelerometer

  • 10000mAh Li-Ion Battery

  • USB-C Charging Port

The Power of Code

The functional prototype integrates a SparkFun Electronics equivalent Arduino Uno. The Productivity Light code transforms data from the 9DoF acceleration sensor and the dual-system rotary encoders to determine the user input, including orientation, motion, and "arm" positioning, to create a seamless experience.

CONTACT

678-997-4491
johnmhill@bellsouth.net