Arts Thread

Yiqing Liu
Design Products MA

Royal College of Art

Specialisms: Product Design / UX Design / Industrial Design

Location: London, United Kingdom

Yiqing Liu ArtsThread Profile
Royal College of Art

Yiqing Liu

Yiqing Liu ArtsThread Profile

First Name: Yiqing

Last Name: Liu

Specialisms: Product Design / UX Design / Industrial Design

Sectors:

My Location: London, United Kingdom

University / College: Royal College of Art

Course / Program Title: Design Products MA

About

I am Yiqing Liu, Living passionately,

Fueled by creativity and vitality.

Flodesk presents a study desk designed to promote active procrastination through single-task processing. Research shows multitasking, part of passive procrastination, impairs cognitive function and increases stress. Active procrastination, where users consciously switch tasks, enhances productivity and reduces negative emotions.
 Designed for home use, particularly for university students and home office workers, Flodesk features a structure for seamless switching between three surfaces. Two surfaces allow task switching without moving items, while the third is for standing tasks. The size is optimized for single-task use, employing a clear tech design to encourage surface switching, promoting conscious task differentiation through subconscious behavior.

This project presents desk accessories designed to promote active procrastination through single-task processing. The set includes three cubes, each representing a different task. When a user begins a task, they choose a cube, and the light gradually brighten over time, subtly indicating the duration of time. The number of lights corresponds to the duration, acting as an unobtrusive timer. When switching tasks, the user stops the current cube and selects a new one, resetting the timer. Through these behavioral prompts, users become aware of their current task and the approximate time spent, promoting active procrastination and task awareness.