ASU NASA Psyche Clock

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop

For my senior capstone project, I chose to focus on the NASA Psyche mission, which is being led by Arizona State University. Psyche, both the name of an asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter and the mission itself, offered an exciting opportunity to explore the intersection of space science and design. My project involved creating a clock that uniquely represented the Psyche mission, with a specific focus on illustrating how long a day is on the asteroid itself.

Throughout the design process, I encountered numerous trials and iterations to ensure that the clock accurately conveyed the concept I envisioned. The clock was meticulously crafted using a combination of materials such as acrylic, spray paint, chipboard, and clock mechanical components. I was intentional in selecting these materials to reflect the texture and characteristics of the asteroid, incorporating design elements that mimicked the rough, metallic surface of Psyche.

The challenge was not just to create a functional clock, but also to visually capture the essence of the mission and the asteroid’s unique features. I utilized the texture of the asteroid’s surface as a guiding principle for the design, aiming to evoke the mysterious and scientifically rich nature of the Psyche mission. The final product stands as a tangible representation of both the passage of time and the exploratory spirit of NASA’s mission to study this fascinating asteroid.

© 2025 Jessica Tu

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