Time has a funny way of moving, doesn’t it? Some moments seem to drag on forever, while others slip by so quickly you barely notice them.

Mind in Motion is a battery-free, gear-driven automaton that explores how our emotions and mental states shape our perception of time. Inspired by the brain’s two hemispheres, this piece uses slow-moving gears and soft, subtle blobs to represent the contrasting moods we experience:

• Before Coffee (Left Side – Slow & Monochrome): The gears move slowly, like time is dragging its feet. This side represents moments when things feel heavy or sluggish, with a somber blob symbolizing a quieter, more introverted state.
• After Coffee (Right Side – Slightly Faster & Colorful): While still measured, the gears pick up a bit of speed, reflecting moments when energy flows more easily, and the world feels a little more vibrant. The colorful blob on this side captures a more energized and active state of mind.

This piece uses an analog, mechanical design to represent time in a way that’s both tactile and meditative. The movements of the gears and the changing colors of the blobs highlight how time itself can feel like it’s shifting, depending on our internal moods.

Why It Matters

Time doesn’t actually speed up or slow down—our minds shape the way we experience it. Mind in Motion transforms this abstract concept into something visual, tactile, and poetic, using mechanical movement to illustrate how our emotions define time itself.

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How It Works

Subtle time changes, visualized – slow, thoughtful movements with a touch of color to reflect moods.

No batteries, no motors – just pure mechanical motion, powered by gears.

Tactile storytelling – seeing how emotions shape time through movement and color.

Bevel gears, gear, linkage 

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Problem

Why does time feel slow and heavy in some moments, yet fast and effortless in others? Our mental states alter the way we perceive time, making it feel stretched or compressed. Mind in Motion captures this experience through pure mechanical movement, creating a meditative visualization of time perception—no batteries, no motors, just gears and motion.

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Process

• Concept Development:
  • Investigated time perception psychology and how cognitive states affect the feeling of time passing.
  • Designed an automaton inspired by the two hemispheres of the brain, where each side represents a different perception of time.
• Mechanical Fabrication:
  • Designed and built an intricate gear system to create smooth, organic movement.
  • Used bevel gears, linkages, and layered mechanical components to generate controlled, synchronized motion.
• Visual & Motion Design:
  • Left Side (Slow & Monochrome – Before Coffee): Gears move deliberately and sluggishly, reflecting fatigue, introspection, or slowness in time perception. A muted blob symbolizes moments of heaviness and stillness.
  • Right Side (Slightly Faster & Colorful – After Coffee): Gears speed up slightly, showing moments when time feels lighter and more vibrant. A colorful blob represents a more active, energized state of mind.
• Tactile Storytelling:
  • Created an interactive, battery-free piece that allows users to visually and physically engage with shifting time perception.
  • Movements are slow and intentional, reinforcing the feeling that time itself is stretching and compressing.

Solution

A fully mechanical, kinetic art piece that visualizes how time perception shifts based on our emotions. The contrasting movement of gears and color-changing blobs provides a visual and physical representation of introspection, energy, and the passage of time.

Outcome

• Successfully exhibited at HSNY & ITP Winter Show, receiving praise for its conceptual depth and mechanical precision.
• Demonstrated how engineering, psychology, and storytelling can merge into a fully analog, time-based experience.
• Created an engaging, meditative installation that allows viewers to reflect on their own relationship with time.

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