We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Pan Yong about their original and creative Smartwatch Watch Face design work. Pan Yong is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original smartwatch watch face works.
Pan Yong ("PY") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work The English Numbers Smartwatch Watch Face . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : My interest in wearable technology and the opportunity to bridge art with functional devices inspired me to venture into smartwatch face designs.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : While most of the design and development work was independent, I collaborated with watch enthusiasts for beta testing.
PY : Technology plays a central role, from utilizing advanced smartwatch features to ensuring compatibility across multiple platforms and screen resolutions.
PY : 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.
PY : Challenges included ensuring cross-platform compatibility, balancing aesthetics with functionality, and managing technical constraints like resolution and battery efficiency.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
PY : 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.
