Industrial - Bachelors
Mitime is a product designed to personalise physical time management and productivity. It moves away from the usual digital products and instead focuses on the satisfying physicality and tactility of tangible objects.
Recent decades have seen the growth of a whole industry around workplace productivity. An overwhelming number of hacks, tricks and techniques are spewed each and every day. Society is surrounded by new productivity apps, ‘professional coaches’ and self-proclaimed productivity gurus all vying for attention to promote the ways in which their version of productivity is better than all the rest.
The pushing of this lifestyle has only been compounded in recent years thanks to the growth in social media popularity, with TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook feeds filled with ‘helpful hints’ and ‘productivity journeys’ that are forced onto viewers and cause them to feel guilty that they aren’t being productive. However, the falsities and nonsense surrounding many of these techniques are not as frequently reported. The promotion of hundreds of individual perspectives of time management results in overwhelming competition – confusing potential users about where they should start.
However, what they don’t mention is that productivity is inherently individual. While the overarching productivity techniques that have been determined during studies are based on behavioural science, the ability to become truly productive emerges from the understanding of the individual way in which one works and learns, not a broad generalisation and misplacement of scientific research and theories. A productivity technique tailored to individual needs allows one to tap into their productive flow state and achieve high-quality work by taking advantage of the way in which their brain works. Flexibility and adaptability are key factors in developing a successful productivity technique.
The research investigated the interrelationship between distractions and the productivity of desk workers by compiling literature research and the comparative analysis of primary research findings sourced from survey and interview responses. The emergence of interconnected factors allowed for the presentation of design opportunities that informed future design decisions and improved the quality of life of intended users.
Through the completion of primary (survey and interviews) and secondary research (literature review), it was concluded that there is a close alignment between distractions and their causes, and their impact on the productivity of university students and office workers.
The most adversely affected university students complete approximately 36 minutes of work for every 120 minutes of notification-inflicted distractions – a 3:10 productivity-to-distraction ratio.
The research into the interrelationship between distractions and productivity identified several opportunities for design interventions. Four main overarching criteria drawn from the research had to be included in some form to ensure positive interaction between potential users and the design solutions. They are:
A product designed to personalise physical time management and productivity. It moves away from the usual digital products, and instead focuses on the satisfying physicality and tactility of tangible objects.
Mitime’s uncomplicated design marries two main concepts: Japanese simplicity and the interlinked sustainable materiality of emotional design.
The Japanese inspiration behind the product’s creation is clear. The central design concept recalls a zen garden – the soothing pattern carved into the wood – with the associated zen emphasis on simplicity, self-discipline and focusing of the mind. The task list brings focus and acknowledges the importance of the handwritten word. Extending the Japanese influence is the application of Wabi Sabi, a philosophy of unsophisticated beauty that emerges within the pattern of time. This is reflected by Mitime’s colour palette – organic, earthy, and neutral tones – as well as the choice of sustainable materials. An emotional connection between user and product is also achieved through the mutual ageing of the carefully selected materials of Australian maple wood and copper.
Individuality is enhanced by Mitime’s ability to customise the three main product components. Magnetic attachments allow the arrangement of components to be adjusted to suit different working environment and personal preferences.
Additionally, as each user will have different aesthetic tastes, colour customisation of the central storage component allows Mitime to complement the palette of personalised workspaces.
Mitime features several key design principles to achieve a harmonious, visually appealing, and satisfyingly tactile design. Its compact structure allows it to fit comfortably on desks of varying shapes and sizes. The overall shape is symmetrical, balanced by the asymmetrical shape of the zen lid, with the familiar ‘arc’ shape repeated throughout. Contrast is provided visually through colour and textually by the juxtaposition of the tactile sensation of the wooden top and the smoothness of the other surfaces. The rhythm of evenly spaced, asymmetrical and concentric patterns of the wooden design stimulates calming and meditative emotions. The magnetic attachment of several of the components – from the pebbles to the main body – creates a satisfying audible ‘click’ in addition to the precise and pleasing marriage of the componentry.
A conscious attempt was made to include as little technology as possible. Thus, it only features in the visual simulation of time via lights. This choice was made to diminish the possibility of distraction commonly found in digital productivity apps. The use of copper is both visually attractive and functional as it creates parallel circuitry that dictates the lighting. Each of the 32 pebbles represents a 15-minute increment. Therefore, the stacking of two equals half an hour, three forty-five minutes, and so on. As each pebble contains a resistor, this stacking alters the voltage of the current running within the device and translates into a timed variable. This calculated time is communicated to the light rings of the device to visually represent the passing of time.
Mitime aligns with the literature review and primary research in two main ways. First, catering for physical products, with particular attention placed on handwriting. Second, the removal of distractions through the isolation of technological notifications. It has been found that there is increased cognitive processing power in handwriting as it forces the user to slow down and think about what they are writing. The removal of technology allows for better thought processing as it reduces the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ elements of mobile phones that challenge self-regulation and distract. Physical productivity techniques have also been found to increase memory capacity and motivation and decrease stress. Additionally, Maritime utilises the technique of time blocking. This technique follows Parkinson’s law which suggests tasks expand to fill the time we give them, and so, the limitation of working periods creates a competitive pressure that helps to keep users focused and results-driven.
Mitime challenges you to re-think your time management, concentration, and self-regulation skills in beneficial ways. It allows you to better prepare, better organise, and better manage time. So, take control of your time and end the frustration and stress caused by an unproductive day by using Mitime.
Elizabeth is a motivated designer who values research-informed yet aesthetically pleasing design. With her strengths based in research, sketching, design development and graphic presentation, she is a diverse designer who can easily adapt to different tasks and working environments. Her goal as a designer is to produce sustainable, functional, and practical products that are equally as aesthetic, sculptural and beautiful in their own right - a seamless marriage between function and beauty.