Carrie Lee's Immersion timer uses virtual sand to boost focus

Carrie Lee, a product design student, has introduced Immersion, a compact focus timer that employs virtual sand to illustrate the passage of time, serving as a distraction-free alternative to smartphone applications. This prototype, comparable in size to a Tamagotchi, enables users to set timers ranging from five minutes to two hours. Its unique circular display gradually fills with virtual sand, which can be reset by tilting the device. Developed during her studies at Nottingham Trent University, Lee was motivated by the distractions of mobile phones. She believes that even powered-off smartphones can hinder concentration, leading her to create a deliberately simple and soothing device. Immersion, which can be used at home or as a portable bag charm, was showcased at the New Designers graduate design exhibition, with visuals produced using Vizcom AI.