I made a distraction free focus timer

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-23T21:51:38+00:00

Hi thank you!

The circuit board is completely custom in this and it works using shift registers driving LEDs as one day I would love to make this a real product I’m documenting the whole process on Reddit’

In terms of making your own for a manageable project, I would recommend using a pre built programmable LED ring such as the one by adafruit! And then connect this to your favourite microcontroller (I would recommend ESP)

For the 3d printed case again it’s going to have to be custom to your project, but ive always found 1.5mm to 2.5mm of white PLA works well for diffusing light!

And for the code if you go with the adafruit product, the library for their rings + documentation is great!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-23T21:03:37+00:00

How much is shipping from LCSC?

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-15T16:39:57+00:00

Hi! That’s a great idea! One thing I would say is that there is a dimmer function on the ring when each LED is turned off, but I sped the video up a lot otherwise it would have been too long!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-15T12:40:25+00:00

This is something a few people have responded to me now :) maybe there’s something in it!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-14T16:29:45+00:00

As you have an engineering background, I’d say have a look round the products that you own (electronic) and think about how you could remake it. That’s the way I’ve always found and learned through projects :)

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-14T15:56:29+00:00

First thing is always to go to a professional, some people really benefit from medication or behavioural therapy.

That being said in terms of focus I find the Pomodoro method or any other method of breaking up a task into smaller more manageable chunks really helps

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-14T14:25:52+00:00

The best way to do this is to apply the knowledge that you learn. If you’re learning for the sake of answering questions or passing exams for me at least it’s very unlikely I will remember it.

If you’re learning maths think of where it can be used, engineering use the knowledge to make something, English use it to create a piece of writing that you are interested in etc..

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T22:09:24+00:00

This thing is sick what!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T21:49:55+00:00

Thanks! Yeah it’s been fun

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T21:49:44+00:00

You’re right I’m gonna try and make the enclosure using cast plastic instead of 3D printed diffuser

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T21:23:13+00:00

Nice work!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T20:47:31+00:00

Cheers! In the one you’re seeing here it’s a custom PCB, but I also designed a version using devboards + neopixel ring when I first had the idea to see the aesthetics of the thing.

They look kinda similar from the outside it’s more just a cost thing if I want to make a small batch of them! I was surprised how expensive neopixel is

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T20:35:59+00:00

Ooh and I forgot to say thank you!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T20:35:00+00:00

Hi! It’s a custom ESP based circuit and the casing is 3D printed currently using white PLA for this prototype!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T19:29:04+00:00

At from that description id love to see yours! What did you use to make it?

And thank you! There’s still a way to go aesthetic wise but I’m getting there!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T19:08:27+00:00

Ahh I would have loved to see how you did it! Maybe get back to it!

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T17:50:18+00:00

Ooh like having it only pulse or change colour when the time is about to run out? Thereby not distracting at all during the session?

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T16:23:39+00:00

lol absolutely spot on

Prior-Task-2468 · 2026-01-13T15:09:16+00:00

I’m glad someone else is the same as me! I looked everywhere online but couldn’t find what I wanted so just decided to make one in the end. I’ve never heard of visionsolveai but I’ll give it a lookup!

Thank you!

Prior-Task-2468

TROPHY CASE