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Tide Clock

Category: Product / UX Design
Role: Lead Designer
Tools: CAD · SketchUp · LightBurn · Prototyping
Timeline: 3 Weeks
Status: Functional Prototype + Local Launch

Overview

The Tide Clock is a locally inspired, physical-digital product designed to help surfers and coastal residents quickly understand tidal conditions without relying on apps or charts. The goal was to create an intuitive, beautiful object that blends local identity with practical ocean awareness.

This project combined product design, user research, rapid prototyping, and iterative testing to create a functional object that feels at home in coastal spaces.

Problem

Surfers and coastal users frequently need to check tide conditions, but:

  • Existing apps require unlocking phones and navigating charts

  • Printed tide charts are hard to read at a glance

  • Standard tide clocks lack local identity and often feel generic

  • Many users want ambient, passive awareness of tides in their home or shop

There was an opportunity to create a glanceable, locally meaningful tool that simplifies tide awareness while reinforcing coastal culture.

Users

Primary users include:

  • Recreational surfers planning sessions around tide windows

  • Coastal homeowners who want ambient ocean awareness

  • Surf shops and marine retailers displaying local conditions

  • Ocean enthusiasts who value functional coastal decor

Key needs:

  • Fast, glanceable tide understanding

  • Local relevance

  • Simple operation without digital friction

  • Aesthetic integration into home or shop environments

Research

Research was conducted through informal but targeted methods:

  • Conversations with surfers and shop owners about how they check tides

  • Observation of how users reference tide apps vs printed charts

  • Review of existing tide clock products and marine instruments

  • Analysis of common pain points with chart-based tide data

Key insights:

  • Users prefer quick visual cues over precise numerical data

  • Local identity increases emotional attachment to functional objects

  • Many users want passive awareness rather than active checking

  • Simpler displays lead to higher daily use

Design Goals

  • Make tide state understandable at a glance

  • Incorporate local geography for emotional connection

  • Create a non-digital, always-on reference tool

  • Maintain a handcrafted, coastal aesthetic

  • Allow for customization to different coastal regions

Design Architecture

The product system includes:

  • Laser-cut wooden face with local geography

  • Tide phase indicator hand

  • Clock movement calibrated to local tide cycle

  • Mounting and enclosure system

  • Customizable face artwork per location

The design was structured so the face artwork could be swapped to support different coastal towns without redesigning the full product.

Ideation & Sketching

Early ideation focused on:

  • How to visualize tide state simply

  • How to integrate geographic landmarks

  • Balancing clarity with aesthetic minimalism

Multiple layout concepts were sketched and prototyped to test:

  • Hand length and readability

  • Label placement

  • Visual hierarchy between time and tide state

  • Map detail vs legibility

Prototyping

Rapid prototypes were created using:

  • CAD for face layouts and tolerances

  • Laser-cut plywood and hardwood samples

  • Off-the-shelf tide clock movements

  • Iterative face designs to test readability

Each prototype was tested for:

  • Visual clarity from a distance

  • Ease of understanding for first-time users

  • Material finish and durability

  • Mounting and assembly workflow

User Testing

Informal user testing included:

  • Surfers interpreting tide state without explanation

  • Shop owners evaluating wall placement and readability

  • Non-surfer users assessing intuitive understanding

Key findings:

  • Users preferred simplified labeling over technical terms

  • Larger visual markers improved quick comprehension

  • Local map details increased perceived value

  • Some users wanted less clutter for faster scanning

Changes made based on testing:

  • Simplified labeling

  • Increased contrast on tide indicators

  • Adjusted hand size for better visibility

  • Refined map detail for balance between art and function

Final Design

The final Tide Clock features:

  • Laser-cut wooden face with local coastline

  • Smooth, non-ticking movement

  • Clear tide phase indicators

  • Minimal labeling for quick scanning

  • Customizable geography per location

The result is a functional coastal instrument that blends product design with local storytelling.

Results & Outcomes

  • Successfully produced functional prototypes

  • Positive feedback from surfers and coastal users

  • Interest from local retailers for region-specific versions

  • Validated demand for customizable, location-based designs

  • Established a repeatable system for expanding to new coastal markets

Tide Clock
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