PEEK Timepiece by Scott Sullivan from usa
designer's own words:
You cannot have anticipation without time!
Most products are designed to anticipate the actions and wants of the user and will jump to his or her command. I decided to honor these hard working products by creating a simple clock that displays the time only when IT wants to, thereby forcing the user to anticipate the actions of the product.
The clock first displays nothing, just a clean glass LCD. Then, suddenly and randomly, the clock displays a simple countdown from 5 seconds, displaying only a small central digit. When the countdown completes, the screen again goes blank for a random period of time. Then suddenly, the clock shows the correct time (e.g., 10:10), but only for about 1 second and then again, the clock goes blank and the cycle continues.
Some would say this is annoying. Perhaps it is a bit, but perhaps it also gives us a moment to reflect on how crazy-busy we all seem to be today and maybe this clock will get us to slow down, if only for a moment. Perhaps the user will smile as he or she realizes that just for a moment, as they find them staring at a blank clock ... exuding anticipation ... they are not in charge ... if only for a moment.
This image shows the clock at a point when a countdown of 5 seconds appears, teasing the user. However, no time is displayed.
With the countdown complete, the clockface is now blank. Still no time is displayed.
Finally, the clock reveals the time… but only for a second. Then it goes blank once again.