Designers John Nussey and Avril O’Neil have introduced a new smart home product called Ding, a simple and elegant smart doorbell system that combines a minimalist doorbell button, an in-home chime finished in fabric, and a free smartphone app. Launched on Kickstarter, Ding aims to make answering the door straightforward and convenient whether you are at home or away.
The system works in three main parts. The outdoor button has a restrained, minimal aesthetic designed to suit many home styles. Inside the home, a compact chime unit provides an attractive audio alert and can be placed on a shelf or mounted on a wall. The free mobile app links the two elements and routes an incoming door press into a voice call so you can speak with the person at your door from wherever you are.
This approach transforms the phone into a remote intercom: when a visitor presses the doorbell, your home chime sounds and the Ding app places a voice call to your phone. That means you can answer, speak to the visitor, and give instructions in real time. For many households this will reduce missed deliveries and unnecessary waits at home, since you can tell a courier where to leave a parcel or ask them to leave it with a neighbour.
There are a number of everyday scenarios where Ding is useful. If you work in the garden you can still hear or receive alerts without having to run inside every time someone arrives. Parents with sleeping children can mute the home chime and receive a quieter alert on their phone, allowing them to respond without disturbing a nap. For people who frequently miss guests or deliveries, the ability to speak directly through the app avoids the hassle of redelivery arrangements or lengthy tracking follow-ups.
Beyond convenience, the product is designed to blend into modern homes. The indoor chime is wrapped in a high-quality fabric finish and can be positioned on any flat surface or mounted to a wall, keeping it unobtrusive while still visible and accessible. At launch the chime is available in charcoal grey; early backers on the crowdfunding campaign can vote on a limited edition colour choice such as teal, cobalt or salmon for future runs.
John and Avril describe Ding as a beautifully simple solution focused on ease of use, minimal styling and practical utility. The designers emphasize that the system is intended to be intuitive: install the doorbell button outside, place the chime inside, and pair the devices with the companion app so incoming presses trigger both an audible chime and a voice call to your phone.
For people who receive frequent deliveries, care for young children, or want reassurance when they are out of the house, Ding offers a way to maintain contact with whoever is at the door without adding unnecessary complexity. The voice-call feature allows clear real-time communication; the in-home chime preserves a familiar doorbell sound; and the minimalist physical design supports a range of interiors.
The designers are currently seeking support through their Kickstarter campaign to move Ding into production. Backers can support the project and contribute to bringing the product to market, while also participating in limited-edition colour decisions. If you are interested in a low-profile, app-connected doorbell that turns your phone into an intercom and gives you control over how you receive door alerts, Ding is positioned as a practical and well-designed option.
Posted in collaboration with Ding