‘Phone-Centred Design’ is a self-initiated design project as part of my final year at the Glasgow School of Art.

This project started from my confusion about design: some good designs can sometimes lead to dependency (like Smartphones, cars…), while some designs surrounding them, seemingly fulfilling user needs, actually reinforce addictive behaviours (like personal recommendation algorithms, bedside phone holders, etc.). I collectively call these overly convenient designs. In this project, I’ll use mobile phones as an example.

Smartphones have fundamentally changed how people live, communicate, and experience the world. They have also reshaped everyday behaviour, creating habits centred around constant connection. Many products now support and optimise smartphone-led routines, often deepening dependency without notice.

Phone-Centred Design is a critical design project that asks: What if phone use becomes the primary design driver for products? Inspired by Apple’s design language, the project redesigned everyday objects around smartphone behaviours.  And create 3 overly convenient products.

By using overly convenient design as a critical lens, it creates a space for discussion and reflection—questioning how over-convenience can reinforce dependency and how we use and design products today.