Orbit
A modern clock inspired by Earth's rotation, expressing the continuous flow of time through movement and light. The design combines natural inspiration with a contemporary form, turning timekeeping into an engaging experience.
- Type
- Home object
- Year
- 2023
- Inspiration
- Earth's rotation
- Interaction
- Touch-activated light
The Problem
Hours · Ritual · Presence
More than just a clock , an interactive experience with every passing hour.
Most clocks fade into the background. Orbit reframes timekeeping as a quiet ritual: each hour invites a small moment of attention rather than another glance at a screen. The goal was to design an object that rewards presence instead of demanding it.
Hour 01
Notice
A subtle shift in light marks the change.
Hour 02
Pause
A tactile cue invites a brief interaction.
Hour 03
Return
The dial settles, ready for the next hour.
What if every hour felt like something, instead of nothing?
Inspiration
Earth · Orbits · Rings of time
The moodboard pulls from planetary cores, star trails, galactic spirals and the concentric rings of cut wood , natural systems that record time through motion and layers. These references shape Orbit's circular language and its quiet, rotating display.
Ideation
Pencil · Iteration · Form-finding
Loose pencil studies exploring split spheres, opening domes and orbiting satellites. Three directions surfaced and were drawn out cleanly , the cracked sphere with floating numerals became Orbit.
How it works
Numbers lie flat and rise at the current hour to indicate and tell time, creating an engaging display.
A gentle tap activates a soft glow, enhancing presence and functionality, especially in low-light environments.
Development
Foam study · Proof of concept
A rough white foam mockup built by hand to test the split-sphere geometry, the lift of the upper dome and whether the rotating dial mechanism could actually work at scale. Quick, ugly, and essential before committing to wood.
Final Prototype
Turned beech · 3D-printed dial
The final prototype is built from turned beech for the two hemispheres, with a 3D-printed dial carrying the lifting Roman numerals. A warm LED inside the sphere lights the numbers from below, the upper dome lifting just enough to reveal the time.
Renders
In context · Warm light
