Tick Tock Turtle: A Kid-Friendly Alarm Clock

A Unique Design for Children's Sleep

When it comes to children's alarm clocks, Tick Tock Turtle stands out from the crowd. The inspiration behind this design was to create a clock that is not only beautiful but also highly functional. The shape and pattern of the clock naturally led to the idea of a turtle, which is a child-friendly and appealing design choice. The clock features large display numbers, ensuring that children can easily read the time, while all the parental buttons are cleverly hidden away.

One of the unique properties of Tick Tock Turtle is its fully modular design. The clock can be customized with various child-friendly outer appearances, allowing children to choose their favorite turtle design. The inner design of the clock is patent-pending and includes an array of hidden parental settings buttons. The shell of the turtle also serves as a button for kids to interact with the clock.

One of the standout features of Tick Tock Turtle is its sunrise lights. When activated, the plates of the turtle's shell illuminate one by one, gradually getting brighter until the entire shell is fully lit. This gentle and soothing wake-up light mimics the natural sunrise, helping children wake up more peacefully.

The realization of Tick Tock Turtle involved extensive prototyping to achieve the desired optics for the shell light effect. Different shapes of lenses were tested to create a rounded circle when the shell is lit up. Various finishes and levels of translucency were also experimented with to achieve the perfect illuminated dot effect.

The technical specifications of Tick Tock Turtle are as follows: it measures 200 mm x 200 mm x 76 mm and weighs 0.47 kg.

Tick Tock Turtle offers a wide range of functions that make it the ultimate sleep companion for children. The clock includes wake-up lights and sleep cycle detection, which require the clock to be placed on the mattress next to the sleeping child. The silicone material allows the clock to securely stick to the mattress, even with the child's movement during sleep. Parents can easily set the clock's functions using the hidden layer under the shell, while children can press the shell as a button to activate the night light function and see the progression of time throughout the night.

The Tick Tock Turtle project started in April 2017 and was completed in May 2018. Extensive market research and patent analysis were conducted to ensure that the clock incorporated all the key health and learning features of existing clocks while offering a fresh and kid-friendly design. The design was further validated through a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Despite facing challenges during the design process, such as reproducing the two-tone silicone outer housing at a cost that would support retail of the product, the team behind Tick Tock Turtle persevered. After multiple trials, they found a solution by using a single-tone color injection mold with a silicone paint spray overlay to achieve the desired design.

Tick Tock Turtle has been recognized for its excellence in design and functionality. It was awarded the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in the Baby, Kids, and Children's Products Design category in 2019. This award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements, contributing to a better world.

Tick Tock Turtle is not just an alarm clock; it is a companion that helps children understand the passage of time and promotes healthy sleep habits. With its adorable turtle design, customizable appearance, and innovative features, Tick Tock Turtle is set to revolutionize children's alarm clocks.