Soft Time is designed for moments when one feels stuck, mentally overwhelmed, or in need of a shift in perspective. Drawing on Attention Restoration Theory, exposure to gentle, natural stimuli , referred to by researchers as “soft fascination” , allows the brain’s directed attention system to recover. Rather than attempting to force a change in state, Soft Time creates the conditions for one to simply exist within a softer moment, allowing a shift to emerge naturally.
An intention is selected for each soft moment: to unfurl, by observing a flower bloom; to settle, by watching autumn leaves fall; or to transform, by witnessing a butterfly emerge from its cocoon. As these moments follow the rhythms of nature, they remain non-prescriptive and fluid - a flower blooms in its own time. A ladybird companion offers gentle guidance for those who find it difficult to simply be, particularly for individuals accustomed to lives structured around productivity and the optimisation of time.
When the nature-based timer concludes, the app provides a subtle visual indication that it is possible to return, with no auditory cue. This approach encourages attunement to an internal sense of “soft time”, allowing the moment to end only when it feels right.
This project marked a first exploration into graphical user interface design, involving a steep yet rewarding learning curve across both design tools and the subtle micro-interactions that shape the overall tone and character of an app.
