Interview about The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face , winner of the A' Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design Award 2021
A natural way to read time. The English and numbers go together, form a futuristic look and feel. The layout of the dial let user gets the information on battery, date, daily steps in a quick way. With multiple colour themes, the overall look and feel is suitable for both casual looking and sporty looking smart watches.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThis fusion was inspired by the desire to make time-telling more intuitive and approachable. Written text evokes a human, conversational feel, while numerals ensure precision. By combining the two, I aimed to create a design that feels both personal and functional. This approach bridges the familiarity of traditional analog time-reading with the convenience of digital technology, enhancing the watch’s usability across generations and preferences.
Winning the award validated my efforts to push boundaries in smartwatch interface design. It encouraged me to think even further about how innovative design can set new standards for user engagement in wearable tech. The recognition reaffirmed that there is a strong appetite for interfaces that balance functionality with aesthetic appeal, pushing me to explore even bolder concepts in future projects.
Each iteration was influenced by user feedback emphasizing readability, battery efficiency, and simplicity. Early versions experimented with more detailed graphics, but users preferred a cleaner, more minimal look. Through feedback, I learned the importance of reducing visual clutter while maintaining essential information. Iterations also improved readability by adjusting font sizes and contrast, ensuring the design was not only visually appealing but also practical for daily use.
Coding for multiple platforms presented challenges in maintaining consistent functionality and appearance. Each platform has unique constraints, like handling animations or displaying dynamic text. To address these, I had to refine the design for optimal performance across devices, which taught me to streamline features without compromising on aesthetics. Overcoming these technical hurdles strengthened the design, making it more resilient and adaptable.
The goal was to prioritize clarity and reduce visual noise. Essential information like battery, date, and steps is positioned subtly, integrated within the design rather than overpowering it. I used a monochromatic color scheme with soft contrasts to allow these details to blend in harmoniously, preserving the futuristic aesthetic while ensuring that vital data is easily accessible at a glance.
Color themes were chosen to complement various lighting conditions and personal styles. Darker themes work well in low-light settings, minimizing screen glare, while lighter ones improve visibility outdoors. The variety allows users to customize their watch face according to their mood or setting, making the watch face versatile and responsive to different user needs and preferences.
The layout was designed based on how people intuitively read time: larger elements for hour markers and subtle indicators for minutes. The human brain quickly identifies primary information first, so the layout emphasizes hour readability. This design respects natural reading flows, allowing users to tell time with minimal cognitive effort.
This design champions simplicity and customization, qualities I believe will be central to future smartwatch interfaces. The blend of text and numerals offers an alternative to purely numeric or analog styles, suggesting a more conversational, human approach. Future interfaces may adopt similar blends to cater to users seeking both functionality and a personalized experience.
Focus on simplicity and user feedback. Wearable technology is personal, so the design must align with user needs and preferences. Reducing unnecessary elements while optimizing readability and battery efficiency is key. Listening to user feedback during development can help identify what truly matters to users and refine the design accordingly.
This design reflects my belief that technology should blend seamlessly with our daily routines and personal aesthetics. By reimagining traditional time-telling methods in a digital format, I aimed to create a watch face that feels both artistic and functional. My vision for wearable tech is to bridge art and technology, enriching everyday experiences with designs that are not only useful but also personally meaningful.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
