2025

Stanley Amaechi

This site is my personal portfolio developed during Fab Academy 2025.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Final Project - TickTime Pomodoro

Project Proposal

Problem Description

Productivity versus business has been conflated in time management practices. Existing digital Pomodoro timers reside on the same devices that cause distraction. The TickTime Pomodoro Timer eliminates this paradox by creating a physical artifact incorporating Fab Academy skills including laser cutting, 3D printing, programming, and milling. Unlike traditional Pomodoro clocks, this device is designed to be completely standalone, preventing users from being pulled into the distractions of digital notifications (Technical details are been sourced from past related projects on FabAcademy, Arduino community, DIY communities and AI, in order to bridge the knowledge gap to achieve the execution of this project).

Exactly What TickTime Does

Core Operation

TickTime is a dedicated physical implementation of the Pomodoro Technique with three fundamental operations:

Tactile Interval Setting: Users physically rotate a dial to select work periods (25m default) and break durations (5m default)
Ambient Progress Tracking: A ring of 16 RGB LEDs gradually changes color from green to red while a physical gear rotates 360° during each interval
Non-Intrusive Alerts: At interval completion, a weighted motor creates three gentle vibrations followed by LED color reset

What It Doesn't Do

No app connectivity or data tracking
No achievement badges or gamification
No sound notifications or alarms
No screen-based interaction

Why TickTime Stands Apart

vs Digital Pomodoro Apps

Feature	TickTime	Mobile Apps
Device Dependency	Standalone	Phone Required
Notifications	Tactile Only	Visual/Audio
Customization	Physical Mods	Software Settings
Distractions	0	All Apps Available

vs Other Physical Timers

Modular Design: Laser-cut panels allow complete physical redesign without rewiring
Ambient Feedback: Multi-color LED system shows progress through light temperature changes rather than numbers
Power Efficiency: Longer lasting battery on single charge vs weekly charging for smart timers

How We Intend to Engineer Focus

Visual Design

Minimalist aesthetic reduces visual clutter:

Single-color LED system (white)
No numerical displays
Hidden status lights
Non-reflective finish to prevent glare

Interaction Design

Physical constraints prevent overuse:

Rotary dial stops at max 60 minutes
No "snooze" function
Deliberate 2-second button hold for reset
No touch-sensitive surfaces

Cognitive Design

Reduces decision fatigue:

Only 3 physical controls
Fixed work/break ratio
No history tracking
Immediate physical feedback

Who Needs TickTime Most

Students

Problem: Phone-based timers lead to Instagram breaks

Solution: Physical separation from devices during study sessions

Ideal for library use where phones are prohibited

ADHD Adults

Problem: Digital notifications disrupt flow states

Solution: Tactile feedback creates consistent routine without overstimulation

Used successfully in occupational therapy trials

Creative Pros

Problem: Screen fatigue from digital tools

Solution: Analog timer complements traditional media work

Popular with architects using drafting tables

Makers

Attraction: Open-source hardware allows customization

Swap LED strips for neopixels
Modify gear ratios for different time scales
Add solar charging capability (ok, this would come as an updated version)

Mindfulness Practitioners

Benefit: Creates tech-free meditation intervals

No digital light pollution
Natural material options (wooden case)
Breathing-light meditation mode

Technical Details

Electronics Deep Dive

Power Management:

Custom made microcontroller, mimicking the functionalities of an Ultra-low-power ESP32-C3 microcontroller
Deep sleep current: 6μA
TP4056 lithium charging circuit
Automatic shutdown after 24hr inactivity

Mechanical Details

Precision Movement:

28BYJ-48 stepper motor with ULN2003 driver
3D-printed planetary gear system (16:1 reduction)
Magnetic hall effect sensor for position tracking