SETIME: A Tape Measure That Doubles as a Timer

South Korean product designer Geonwoo Kang came up with this clever concept that merges a tape measure and a digital timer into a single tool. SETIME is a compact object that treats time as something you can hold, pull and release, translating a familiar analog gesture into a clear on-screen countdown.

The device has two modes, which can be switched via a small slider: M for Measure and T for Timer. In Measure Mode, it works as expected, a straightforward tape for checking dimensions. Slide to Timer Mode and the interaction changes. Pulling the tape sets the duration, with the length determining the minutes displayed on the circular screen. Once you press the SET button on the side, the tape retracts automatically, starting the countdown. A soft LED ring glows to signal that the timer is running, then fades once the set duration ends, at which point the device powers down. It’s an ingenious concept that reframes time as something you can physically gauge, stretch and set.

For more of Geonwoo Kang’s design projects, check out his portfolio on Behance.

More product design via Behance