TimeFlow
Jul – Oct 2023
An AR app that makes time visible
TimeFlow is an augmented reality-based time visualization application designed to assist individuals in fast-paced urban environments who experience time pressure and anxiety.
By allowing users to observe the growth of a virtual plant, it facilitates the perception and recording of the passage of time — helping users find moments of relaxation and focus within their busy lives.
"In my daily life, I often feel troubled that many things happen in a day, but often I can only remember one thing — which makes me feel that time passes quickly."
Why time feels like it's flying by
Research found most subjects report time passes fast because "we have so much to do and not enough time." This time pressure goes hand in hand with stress — making us less present in the moment.
When just trying to get through the day, we don't take in our surroundings or build detailed memories. Without new memories forming, our perception of time compresses.
When daily life becomes monotonous, time feels faster. The brain stops allocating attention to new stimuli, so no new memories form and time feels compressed.
What users actually said
Four principles driving the experience
Plant growth as a universally understood metaphor for the passage of time.
Users see time represented in 3D space through AR — no abstraction needed.
Designed to fit naturally into fragmented moments — commuting, studying, working.
Watching a plant grow is soothing, turning time-tracking into a meditative act.
Who TimeFlow is designed for
Seeks a method to record her creative process and inspiration.
To record work and leisure time, enhance time awareness, and achieve a more balanced life.
Where TimeFlow fits in your day
Record productive sessions and observe growth between tasks.
Plant a tree during study blocks and watch it grow as focus deepens.
Turn idle transit time into a visible recorded slice of your day.
Use the growing plant as a visual anchor for mindful minutes.
Unwind with a living record of your rest time, making it feel earned.
Building the AR experience
8 steps from start to reward
Users start the application during a fragmented time period.
After pressing the button, select the location to place the plant.
The process of plant growth represents the passage of time.
The user can save the recorded time on a physical card.
Users can share their time and virtual plants with others.
Users can continue to record their own time lapse across sessions.
As time goes by, more plants grow and gradually form forests.
Users are rewarded for logging a certain amount of elapsed time.
Two ways to keep time tangible
The physical card provides a save function — users can scan it to save or view their recorded time, bridging digital experience with physical memory.
The virtual mask allows growing trees to serve as a face mask, enhancing fun and creativity. Trees become wearable expressions of recorded time.