Bronze Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design · 2020
Simple Code II Saphire Smartwatch Face
- A' Design Award 2020 Bronze Winner in Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Artalex
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 24,321
- Verification code 77095ADA02 · Verify this award
About Simple Code II Saphire Smartwatch Face
The design of Simple Code II is to target as many aspects of life as possible. The three colour combinations, blue/black, white/grey, and brown/purple, not only cover the users of different ages and gender but also suitable for pairing business and casual outfit. The layout is targeted to provide a smoother user experience. In the middle of the dial, the month, the date and the day form a line that cut through the watch face in half conveys the visual balance.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Simple Code II has a unique feature that the components, such as weather and step count, shift their position to avoid overlapping the blue hands. It is an easy-to-read watch face. The blue translucent hands not only shows the beauty, but also maintain the readability. The date is the center of the whole dial so that user can find out what the date is in a glance. In the middle, the month, the date and the day form a line which cut through the dial in half to create the visual balance.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Smartwatch face, 400 x 400px. Support Android watch and Samsung watch. Available for download from Facer app and WatchMaker app.
- Tags
- stylish, modern, precise, casual, business, calm, sapphire
- Production Technology
- It's from the first version of a prototype called Simple Code which was done in WatchMaker app. After a few trials and changes, the ideas are getting more and more confirmed. Eventually the ideas became the second version, Simple Code II.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge is to convey the modern beauty, the comfort for eyes, the hands cannot block the information behind yet still have good looking.
- Project Duration
- I started designing the prototype in May 2018. It was done in June 2018 in Singapore.
- Operation Flow
- The dial is in dark tone with pattern as background. The hands are in translucent blue sapphire colour. The entire watch face gives a calm, modern and stylish feeling. It fits both casual and business outfit.
- Research
- Started with a very simple idea: make it easy to read. That's why it's called "Simple Code". After done the first prototype, put in more ideas such as translucent hands and still with ease telling time.
- Inspiration
- The Simple Code II is from the first version which is just a prototype. The idea is to put the date in the center of the dial, so user can find the date effortlessly. That's it. That's where inspiration came from. After that, for further convenience, the hands became translucent so that they will not obstruct the other information behind them. Every effort is for readability while still maintain the neat.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Pan Yong,
Image #2: Photographer Pan Yong,
Image #3: Photographer Pan Yong,
Image #4: Photographer Pan Yong,
Image #5: Photographer Pan Yong, - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Pan Yong, 2019.
Colors of Simple Code II Saphire Smartwatch Face
Design Interview about Simple Code II Saphire Smartwatch Face
The design is inspired by the very first watch face I did for my first smartwatch. It is called "Simple code". It is just a prototype for a test. It does not even look like the Simple Code II now. However, the prototype gave me the inspiration. For example, the date number is to be at the center of the watch so that the user does not need to look for where the date is.
The main focus is to make the user check the time, date, and other information more easily. Check the date of the current month without aiming where the date number is, besides, the date at the center does not occupy other space so the dial does not look crowded.
Maybe more color combinations will come out. Make it a flagship category of my future designs.
The concept is from the prototype. I did not spend much time to get the ideas, maybe about one or two days.
After I got the prototype done, I started thinking about how to put more information into a small dial while keeping it from looking crowded.
This design is done for me. Currently, I don't have plan to sell it. If any company wants to buy it, I would like to hear.
Ease of using. The speed of checking time. To make people's life easier.
No, no other designs. The influence is from my prototype.
From casual user to business user, basically, everyone.
The elements in the dial (eg. step count) shifts its position to avoid being overlapped by the hour hand. For example, at 8 am or 8 pm, the hour hand overlaps the step count numbers. So the step count shifts its position to elsewhere so user can still check step number easily.
The name is from the prototype name, Simple code. This design is considered as an upgraded version. So I named it Simple Code II.
I use the app called Watchmaker.
The Aesthetic and the user experience.
No, I didn't collaborate with others.
This design is more focused on the user experience. For the technical part, there is not much to deal with.
I didn't do any research. The idea is from the prototype.
The challenge is to shift the elements on the dial from being overlapped, meanwhile to still keep the overall aesthetic.
The last year winning gave me confidence in my design so I know where I can go in to. Besides, I want this Simple Code II design to earn its international recognition.
I usually use it by myself for a while to get the insight of which part can be improved, and then gradually make some changes to the design.
You can download this watch face from the Samsung galaxy store, from the Watchmaker App, and from the Facer app.
Grand Interview about Simple Code II Saphire Smartwatch Face
The dynamic positioning of elements in Simple Code II Sapphire was both a technical and creative challenge. The goal was to maintain readability without the user needing to adjust their wrist or interact with the watch repeatedly. The hands’ rotation was programmed to activate a subtle yet precise shift in key components, such as the date or steps count, to ensure that information is always legible, regardless of hand placement. I achieved this through careful testing of rotational angles and distances, which allows for a seamless transition without interrupting the minimalist aesthetic.
The translucent sapphire blue was chosen to harmonize with the digital screen, creating a visual that’s rich and elegant yet functional. This choice was inspired by the need for clarity; the transparency allows users to read the information beneath the hands. The level of transparency was fine-tuned by adjusting the opacity in small increments, balancing visual allure and readability so that the hands complement, rather than obscure, the data display.
The date-centric arrangement reflects my commitment to user-centered design, especially for quick readability. By positioning the date, month, and day linearly in the center, users can quickly grasp the essential calendar information. This layout emerged from my broader philosophy that smartwatch interfaces should be efficient and focused on user needs without excessive distractions. Winning the Bronze A’ Design Award further validated this minimalist, user-first approach.
The blue/black, white/grey, and brown/purple options were curated to appeal to various user groups and settings. Research included surveys and feedback sessions where users shared color preferences based on attire and occasion. For example, the blue/black combination fits a professional look, the white/grey provides a modern, minimalist feel, and the brown/purple offers a unique, sophisticated choice. These colors also consider readability in different lighting conditions, ensuring that each combination maintains clarity.
Since the prototype in May 2018, feedback was crucial in refining the design. Early versions had fewer interactive elements, and users requested better clarity under diverse lighting conditions and more customizability. Based on this, I introduced adjustable brightness, improved component placements, and refined the date arrangement for quicker readability. Each iteration aimed to enhance the user experience while preserving the essence of the initial design.
Creating a pattern that added depth without compromising readability required a nuanced approach. I experimented with subtle textures and low-contrast patterns that would remain in the background without distracting from the foreground information. The final pattern is delicate enough to be visually appealing while maintaining functional clarity, enhancing the watch’s aesthetics without overshadowing the critical data.
Simple Code II Sapphire embodies my growth as a designer focused on blending functionality with artistic elements. My background in interactive art taught me the importance of user engagement, and this watch face is a testament to that learning. It represents a fusion of art and technology, aiming for an interface that’s intuitive yet visually expressive, marking a step forward in my vision for smartwatch design.
To create a design that adapts to both casual and formal settings, I focused on a timeless aesthetic with subtle metallic accents and a balanced color scheme. The watch face was developed with versatile, minimalist elements that resonate in both casual and business contexts. This approach allows users to wear the watch throughout the day, seamlessly blending with different styles.
One of the main challenges in developing for both Android and Samsung watches was maintaining consistency in appearance and functionality across varying screen resolutions and hardware limitations. I tackled this by using scalable vector graphics (SVGs) and modular code that allowed for flexibility. Adjustments were made to ensure each platform’s nuances were addressed, maintaining a consistent user experience across devices.
Looking forward, I envision enhancing the Simple Code II Sapphire design language by integrating adaptive elements that respond to user behavior and preferences. Future iterations could incorporate more interactive features while retaining the core principle of effortless readability. This evolution will focus on preserving the design’s minimalist essence while adapting to technological advancements and changing user expectations.