Let Light Pace Your Day
YEAR
Summer 2025
DURATION
14 Weeks
SOFTWARE
Solidworks, Rhino, Keyshot, Figma, React, Arduino
SKILLSETS
Design Iteration, CAD Modeling, Hardware Prototype, Coding, HMI Study, User Tests
FOCUS
Branding, Iteration based on user tests
Rhythmo is a desktop ambient light designed for remote workers, providing Pomodoro-based timing and subtle visual cues to support focus, break transitions, and daily work efficiency.
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We're always connected,
But increasingly out of sync.
With over 30% of the workforce now working remotely, and more than 70% seeking flexible rhythms, our days are no longer neatly structured.
The shift to remote work has disrupted
how people manage time, focus, and daily structure.
Lack of Routine
74%
of remote workers say they struggle with routine and time control.
Fragmented Focus
60%
say they rarely enter deep focus while working remotely.
Lack of Boundaries
65%
of remote workers report difficulty disconnecting.
How People Currently Try to Solve This
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Circadian Lighting
Cool, brighter light during work sessions enhances concentration and reduces cognitive fatigue.
A dynamic lighting system that adjusted color temperature and brightness throughout the day boosts Productivity by
18%
Circadian lighting operates on a daily rhythm and does not support the smaller cycles throughout the day.
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Pomodoro Method
Short sessions boost speed and accuracy.
People using Pomodoro-style intervals completed tasks up to 33% faster and made 27% fewer errors compared to those working without timed breaks.
But with traditional timer or app solution, people still have a hard, interrupting switch between focus sessions.
Phone Management
The Mere Presence of a Smartphone Reduces Focus
Just having a smartphone on the desk, even if not in use, significantly lowers cognitive performance..
But people still use phones as essiential tool and don't to miss important messages.
Interviews
Place holder
How might we support a natural rhythm of focused work through everyday tools?
How might we
support a natural rhythm of
focused work
through everyday tools?
A Light-Guided Approach
to Focus and Rhythm
Support Focus
with Dynamic Light
Structure Time
with Manageable Cycles
Reduce Distraction
through Control
三种方法
Approachable | Tactile | Playful | Warm | Welcoming
Designing Behavioral Cues
Through iterative designs, I explored how different levels of friction and control can shape user behavior.
This concept reduces distractions by physically limiting phone access.
While effective, it relies on passive restriction rather than active guidance.
In the next iteration, the concept evolves into a more integrated everyday desk object, reducing the friction of accessing the phone and making the interaction less restrictive.
The final direction shifts toward active guidance, offering multiple modes that align with remote work habits while remaining intuitive and easy to use.
Prototyping the Interaction
Through a working prototype, I tested and refined the human–machine interface, iterating on interaction details and improving the app’s user flow.
Hardware controled via both codes and physical interface.
Integrated engineering piece and eletronic components for prototyping all functions.
The app prototype access more function to the product.
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Two rounds of user testing were conducted to refine the ui architecture and the interface, ensuring both align with how users naturally explore and understand the product.
Auto Rhythmic Transitions
Cool white light helps boost productivity during work
After each session, the light shifts to a softer warm glow to signal a break
Flexible Positioning
The joint enables flexible lighting angles and folds for compact storage.
Brightness Adjustment
Switch & Bluetooth Pairing
Indication Light
Sensor for Auto Adjustment
Easy, Intuitive Control
Rhythmo adjusts itself to match your environment.
You can also control manully for personal preference.
Calm Tech
A multi-layer structure combining capacitive touch and backlit display. Visible when needed, invisible when not.
The Companion App
The companion app allows users to customize the panel display, set focus session durations, track progress, and manage which apps are accessible during work sessions.
Warm Linen
Charcoal Glow
Canopy
etch drawing
zhuomian
zhuomian
