Bronze Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design · 2021
The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face
- A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Interface, Interaction and User Experience Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Artalex
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 19,227
- Verification code 1EA74F53B3 · Verify this award
About The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face
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.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- An easy-to-read and unique watch face for smart watch. The reading of time consists of English and numbers to let user read the time in a natural way. The layout of the dial is unique while user still can get the information on battery, date, daily steps in a quick way.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 400px, Height 400px. Support Samsung Gear watches (Gear S2, S3, Sports, Galaxy Watch) and all Android smart watches (WatchMaker app needed on the watch to load up the watch face)
- Tags
- futuristic, business, casual, informative
- Production Technology
- The actual product has two versions (same design). It can be obtained from Samsung Gear Store and from WatchMaker app. The native Samsung Gear version is for Samsung Gear watch users. It was developed with GalaxyWatchDesigner, a tool for developing watch face from Samsung. URL: https://t.co/0N1zt1nGRy The WatchMaker version is for WatchMaker app user. It can be downloaded from WatchMaker app and sync into your smart watch (WatchMaker app needed on your watch). URL: http://www.getwatchmaker.com/watch/sB1x8P9h7X
- Design Challenge
- The challenge during development is how to code the switch (for WatchMaker version) to change the colour. Because I just started using WatchMaker app for a short time. Still exploring the Lua language for coding. As I was making more and more watch faces, technical problems were solved.
- Project Duration
- The project started in May 2017 and finished in July 2018 in Singapore.
- Operation Flow
- For Samsung Tizen native version, just tap anywhere to change the colour. For WatchMaker version, tap the small dot at the right lower corner (below month) to change the theme.
- Research
- I was playing with text and numbers, trying to figure out a nice way to display time, but it needs to be different from those traditional digital watch. Then came out with a very simple version (version 1), only shows English and numbers with a battery bar below them. After wearing for a few weeks, I got some comments from friends. They want to add in other information such as weather, date, month, steps, etc. Then I started to think about the layout, the feeling. Try to make the dial more user-friendly. After a few months of experiment, from version 2 to version 4, finally came out the current design. So I name it "English And Numbers IV". While providing the most-wanted information, the dial still has the futuristic feeling. The tool I used is WatchMaker app. I directly developed it in the app. Once finalised the design, I started developing the Samsung Tizen native version. The feedbacks from Samsung App Store are very good. People love it.
- Inspiration
- The reason of doing this watch face is that I do not like the stock ones in my smart watch. Those are just very common and traditional. I need a cool and unique feeling. It should be easy to read and informative, at the same time, stands out among those traditional ones. The inspiration is the way of people read out the time. For example, 10:45, people read it "Ten forty five". Then here comes the design: TEN45.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Pan Yong, Main image, 2021.
Image #2: Photographer Pan Yong, Group shot, 2021.
Image #3: Photographer Pan Yong, Single shot, 2021.
Image #4: Photographer Pan Yong, Single shot, 2021.
Image #5: Photographer Pan Yong, Single shot, 2021. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Alex Pan Yong, 2021.
Colors of The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face
Design Interview about The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face
The primary principle behind the design is the fusion of functionality and artistic aesthetics. The inspiration stems from combining postmodernist and futuristic elements with everyday practicality, aiming to create a timepiece that appeals to both business and casual users.
The focus was to create a visually captivating and user-friendly interface while enhancing the wearer’s emotional and practical engagement with time. The goal was to make a design that stands out but remains functional across different settings.
I plan to further refine and adapt the design for broader compatibility across smartwatch platforms. There’s also potential for collaborations with smartwatch brands to produce exclusive editions.
Each design took several months of iterative development. For instance, The Plant - Advent and Nature Smartwatch Face was developed over two months, while English and Numbers IV Smartwatch Watch Face spanned four months. For this particular concept, it took about three months.
The designs were driven by my passion for merging art and technology, particularly in wearable devices. They weren’t commissioned; they were personal projects to explore new ideas and concepts.
Currently, the designs are available on platforms like the Google Play Store, Timeshow and Facer. I am open to licensing agreements with companies or continuing to produce and market these designs under my personal brand, Artalex.
My interest in wearable technology and the opportunity to bridge art with functional devices inspired me to venture into smartwatch face designs.
Yes, the designs were influenced by minimalist and futuristic aesthetics, as well as user feedback from smartwatch communities. Iconic industrial design trends also played a role.
The target customers are professionals and tech-savvy individuals who value aesthetics and functionality in wearable devices. The designs cater to both casual and formal users.
Its unique blend of emotional design elements, such as daily encouraging slogans, the use of dual systems for time-reading and innovative battery indicators, alongside a clean, minimalist aesthetic, differentiates it from others.
The names reflect the essence of each design. For instance, “The Plant” signifies growth and life, aligning with the design’s integration of nature-inspired visuals. “Artalex English And Numbers IV” represents the seamless integration of text and numerals.
I primarily used design tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma for prototyping. For functionality testing, I used smartwatch-specific SDKs like Watch Face Studio and Facer.
The combination of postmodern and futuristic aesthetics with functional features like event notifications, step counters, and battery indicators is unique. The emotional connection through daily slogans and adaptable themes also stands out.
While most of the design and development work was independent, I collaborated with watch enthusiasts for beta testing.
Technology plays a central role, from utilizing advanced smartwatch features to ensuring compatibility across multiple platforms and screen resolutions.
Yes, I conducted research on user preferences, studying how smartwatch users interact with time displays and other features. Feedback from existing designs also informed my iterative process.
Challenges included ensuring cross-platform compatibility, balancing aesthetics with functionality, and managing technical constraints like resolution and battery efficiency.
The decision was driven by a desire to gain global recognition and feedback for my work. Participating in competitions like the A’ Design Award provided valuable exposure.
I learned the importance of iterative design, user feedback, and staying updated with technology trends. These experiences have improved my ability to merge aesthetics with functionality.
I’d like to emphasize my design philosophy: blending art and technology to create designs that not only serve a purpose but also inspire and connect emotionally with users. Additionally, my journey into smartwatch design is part of a broader goal to push the boundaries of wearable technology.
Grand Interview about The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face
This 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.