2026 · The Attention Economy
MONO
By Megan Poetry Santoso · placeholder, awaiting media upload
I discovered that our phones often distract us from the real world when we only need them for quick, everyday tasks. This led me to create a simple and tactile ring that blocks out the digital distractions and helps people regain their focus.
We often blame ourselves for getting distracted, but the real failure lies in modern phone design. I discovered that phones are built with overwhelming visual noise that pulls us into mindless screen time, even when we only pick them up for a quick, specific task. This matters because people genuinely want to use their devices with intention, but the current digital environment is designed to make us more dependent on them. To solve this, I designed MONO, a tactile, magnetic
We often blame ourselves for getting distracted, but the real failure lies in modern phone design. I discovered that phones are built with overwhelming visual noise that pulls us into mindless screen time, even when we only pick them up for a quick, specific task. This matters because people genuinely want to use their devices with intention, but the current digital environment is designed to make us more dependent on them.
To solve this, I designed MONO, a tactile, magnetic ring that custom-fits onto a phone case. When snapped on, Mono physically and digitally transforms the device. The ring triggers a minimal, restricted digital interface that instantly hides the clutter. Instead of tapping through a chaotic, distracting screen, users physically turn the ring to navigate only the absolute essentials like making a call, checking a to-do list, or skipping a music track.
This design disrupts the status quo by shifting control back to the user. MONO transforms a naturally distracting device into a calm, focused tool, allowing people to disconnect from the noise without leaving their phone behind.