Flux
A watch interface that utilizes haptic feedback to train and enhance a user's sense of time.
Overview
ROLE
UI/UX designer
TOOLS
Figma, FigmaMake, Adobe Illustrator
TIMELINE
3-day sprint
TEAM
2 designers
OVERVIEW
I partnered with one other designer to tackle FigBuild 2026, a three day design-a-thon hosted by Figma.
The prompt asked participated to explore how technology could measure and influence human sensory experience. Specifically, participants were encouraged to utilize AI tools like FigmaMake to speed up their workflow.
We focused on an often overlooked sense—chronoception, or the perception of time. With this as our basis, we created Flux, a smartwatch interface designed to help users track and feel time.
PROBLEM
Modern life has disconnected people from their sense of time. Instead of experiencing time intuitively, users rely on external cues to stay oriented.
The sense that this problem pertains to is chronoception, or one's sense and perception of time. Today, many people experience compulsive clock checking and a warped sense of where the time went.
RESEARCH
Examining research papers
We analyzed research papers discussing time perception and how subjective it often is. We found that:
Time perception is constructed by the brain.
It depends on attention and bodily signals.
It's both malleable and trainable.
Our key takeaway: the brain constantly recalibrates its sense of duration. Flux gives the brain feedback to improve that calibration.
Kondo et al. (2024). Malleability and Fluidity of Time Perception. Scientific Reports.
Eagleman, D. M. (2008). Human time perception and its illusions. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 18(2), 131–136.
Eagleman, D. M., Tse, P. U., Buonomano, D., Janssen, P., Nobre, A. C., & Holcombe, A. O. (2005). Time and the Brain: How Subjective Time Relates to Neural Time. Journal of Neuroscience.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Exploring existing solutions & plausibility
We examined similar solutions to examine the possibility of training one's brain to time. Research shows that humans can learn entirely new sensory experiences:
Blind users could "see" and navigate through sound.
People could navigate through vibration feedback.
Consequently, time perception can also be shaped by sensory cues.
Eagleman, D. M., & Perrotta, M. V. (2023). The future of sensory substitution, addition, and expansion via haptic devices. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
We decided on haptics, since research shows that:
Touch is extremely precise for timing.
The wrist is highly sensitive.
It's often an underutilized sensory channel.
So—people can learn to interpret complex information (like sounds) from patterns of vibrations on the skin, and performance improves with training.
Instead of visual alerts or sounds, Flux uses brief haptic pulses through a smartwatch.
Perrotta, M. V., Asgeirsdottir, T., & Eagleman, D. M. (2021). Deciphering sounds through patterns of vibration on the skin. Neuroscience, 458, 77–86.
USER FLOW
Understanding the user journey
I mapped the onboarding and notification flows to understand how users would enter and interact with the interface.
Initially, we explored a default “focus mode” with scheduled Do Not Disturb periods. However, this created friction for users with unpredictable schedules.
We pivoted to a user-controlled model, where Flux is manually enabled and disabled—making the experience more flexible and less intrusive.
Then, I defined flows for the three core tabs: Home, Statistics, and Settings. I ended up making adjustments to these flows in the low-fis.
Home: The initial concept included a customizable mode. We ended up simplifying this interaction to a straightforward enable/disable system, making the action more immediate.
Statistics: Initially, we considered having a monthly calendar view. But, given the constraints of a small watch interface, this felt dense. We refined this with a simple percentage metric for quick readiability.
Settings: We originally included controls for a focus mode toggle. However, after pivoting to a simple enable/disable system, we streamlined settings to focus on haptic feedback.
LOW-FI PROTOTYPING
Layout iteration
I drafted a few sketches of what the watch interface could look like, primarily focusing on the dial's aesthetics and behavior. I pulled inspiration from existing watch interfaces to ideate Flux's layout.
When defining the design direction, we explored multiple color options for the dial.
Our goal was to create a system that clearly communicates how close a user’s guess is to the actual time at a glance.
Ultimately, we chose a solution that utilized Flux's primary color palette while maintaining strong contrast. This ensured clarity without feeling visually dull.
FINAL SOLUTION
✦ Flux: Time, made tangible.
Receive randomized haptic pulses that anchor your attention to the present moment.
Rotate the dial to estimate elapsed time and instantly see your “time drift” compared to reality.
Track daily progress to build a more accurate and intuitive sense of time.
FINAL SOLUTION
Utilized Figma Make to turn the dial function into an interactive interface.
Iteratively refined the loop mechanics with AI prompting to ensure accuracy and consistency.
Created a fully interactive dial that reflects our vision for sensory time training.
PITCH DECK & VIDEO
From design to pitch
As part of the designathon, we developed both a slide deck and a video to present our solution. I created the slide deck, focusing on clearly communicating our process, decisions, and final design, while my partner produced the accompanying video.
REFLECTION
Key takeaways
Working within the tight timeframe of a designathon made this a very fast-paced and intensive project. We spent late nights refining and interating upon our designs to ensure that we delivered the best project possible.
Through this project, I was able to experiment with AI tools like Figma Make. If given more time, I'd explore user testing and evaluate Flux's impact on its users.
Exploring AI in the workflow
I leveraged AI tools like Figma Make to accelerate the design process under tight time constraints. This project highlighted how AI can be integrated into and enhance future design workflows.
Measuring user impact
I'd like to conduct user testing to identify areas for improvement and refine the interface. In the long term, I'd explore whether Flux meaningfully improves users’ perception of time.
