Project { The Gravity Clock }
The Gravity Clock is a simple analog clock, nothing more. It was created to be modern, minimal and timeless. Its sole purpose is to tell time, while subtly reminding you of the importance of the passing minutes.
Concept | Time & Gravity
The Gravity Clock was created to emphasize the importance of time, by combining the two forces that dictates every aspect of our lives: Time & Gravity. Time is the one thing that is ever present, continuous, and ever flowing, yet still so often forgotten, pretty much the same way we become so accustomed to the forces of gravity around us, that we no longer notice the impact it has on the way we live.
This clock was meant to be a simple art piece, that relays the importance of time, both functionally and philosophically. In addition to keeping time, the design emphasizes the sense of physical gravity by appearing as if the clock is sinking into the surface, almost like being in quicksand, thus reminding us of the the urgency or the "gravity" of time.
Inspiration { first project }
For my very first project on kickstarter, I wanted to bring forward a product that is creative and useful for everyone, anywhere, and more importantly, anytime. I really can't think of an item that fits this criteria more closely, than a time keeping device. Time never goes out of fashion, and although the design of device for keeping time may change, it's function remain relatively the same. Thus, we bring to you, The Gravity Clock.
The Gravity Clock was created and recreated over a period of 1 year, as an on going experimental project, by a group of talented designer in Thailand, for the purpose of exploring and combining different materials. The final combination of veneer and acrylic was deemed best for expressing the concept of the product. The final result is the unorthodox sinking geometric design you see before you :]
Form + Function
Modern, minimal, and timeless, that was the goal when we started with The Gravity Clock. We believe that as beautiful as a product may be, it has to perform it's function flawlessly and without distraction.
So a basic geometric layout was chosen to create the body for the clock, making it extremely simple, and clean, with sharp lines. Basing the design on a rectangular cube, allows minimalism to be achieved, while providing a clean front panel that is perfect for displaying time without distraction. The angular tilt of the body helps create a "shift" in perspective, that lends a more modern feel to the design, while improving the angle of view of clock's front panel.
Materials + Specs
Dimension:
WxLxH (c.m.): 13.3cm x 8cm x 12.5cm
WxLxH (inch): 5.24" x 3.15" x 4.9"
Clock Mechanism: Sweep Movement with CE/RoHS certificate
Material: Black Polished Acrylic & 100% Real Natural Maple Wood Veneer
Assembly: The Gravity Clock is hand-made and hand-assembled with traditional wood-working technique. Although the design seems straight forward and simple enough, the sharp simple angle of the clock is what created the most challenge during the manufacturing process. The sharper the corners, especially when combining materials like acrylic and Maple wood, the more difficult it is to achieve a clean straight line consistently on every edge of the clock.
Each Gravity clock will be handmade in Thailand by a manufacturer with over 20 years experience in creating hand assembled acrylic and wood products. It's fitted with a high quality sweep-movement time mechanism (RoHS & CE certified) + quality control tested in house for 1 week prior to assembly. This will all be done in close proximity to the workshop where the design of the gravity clock was conceived, and will be supervised directly by the designing team. The clock has been created and tested over the past year for finish and durability. A number of clock has already been produced for market and design testing. So The Gravity Clock is ready to go into full production, with minimal unforeseen risk.
Depending on the level of success this project achieves, we expect to begin shipping the Gravity Clock by the beginning of March 2013. From experience we will be able to produce approximately 500 clocks in 1 month time, and the shipping time for these clock from manufacturer to the States will be approximately 6 weeks. Thus without delay, we should be able to have the Gravity Clock in your hands by March. We expect to begin shipping out these clock to you by the middle of the month, or earlier.
Launching with Kickstarter
Not enough could be said about Kickstarter. Over the years, I have seen numerous incredible project launched, succeeded, and even failed on Kickstarter. No matter the case, it's always exciting when witnessing entrepreneurial spirits taking flight, and seeing people go out on a limb to make their ideas or dreams, a reality.
The invaluable opportunity to be gained, experienced and learned through this site is endless. I have always wanted to jump in the first moment I laid eyes on this site. But as you all know, anything worth doing, is worth doing right, and a lot of planning is needed to get a project started. So finally, I am able to put in my two cents, as well as put myself out on a limb with my first project.
Experience in Product Design
Although educated in Business Management, I have also worked as a freelance graphic designer for the past 15 years, with accumulated experience in the field of jewelry design via CAD, and Artcam software. In 2010, my friends and I launched our own brand of high-end Custom Titanium Replacement Back for the iPhone 4 and 4S, under the name of Más Design (www.maselements.com). Más Design allowed us the opportunity to gather the necessary experience to design, create, manufacture, and bring forth a product to market.
Risks and challenges
This project has been on going for over a year, and all the prototype and design related problems have already been overcome. A number of short production runs had also been carried out for a few select clients, for durability, design and market testing. We have also worked closely with the manufacturer, and design team, in arranging a reliable source, for raw materials, toolings and supplies. In short, we are ready to roll.....
The only risk and challenge that we can foresee is the delivery time for manufacturing and shipping these clock from overseas. The handmade nature of these clock, requires adequate time to complete. The design requires attention to details and is labor intensive.
Once all manufacturing is completed, the products will have to be shipped overseas to the states, which could take up to 6-7 weeks, and will arrive during March 2013. Although delay is not expected during this period, there is always a possibility for the unforseen.
We have chosen a fairly simple, and straight-forward product as our first Kickstarter project. We are excited to say the least. If the project succeeds, there are a number of ambitious project on the drawing board that we would love to present to the kickstarter community! Thanks for taking the time to visit our project! We look forward to hearing from all of you. Cheers!
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Funding period
- (42 days)