The Plant Smartwatch Watch Face by Pan Yong

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

PY : I wanted to have an informative modular watch face with minimalism style so that I can check daily information in a quick way.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

PY : The main goal in designing this watch face is that I try to put as many essential information as possible but at the same time it doesn’t feel crowded.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

PY : I guess it could be the start of a series of modularised minimalism stylish watch faces.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

PY : It’s pretty quick. Once I had this idea, I quickly drafted and developed the prototype using Watchmaker app. It just took me about 1 day.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

PY : It’s just for my own use initially. I want to have a watch face for me to check all the essential information (e.g weather, date, temperature) in a very quick way, and I want it to be in beautiful minimal style.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

PY : Currently, the design is used by myself. If companies intent to buy, maybe I plan to sell it or lease the production rights. I’m happy to see it coming.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

PY : For the convenience of myself. Besides, it’s hard to find an informative, easy-to-read, modularised and stylish watch face.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

PY : Almost everyone.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

PY : It has a lot of information inside the small dial but at the same time, it doesn’t feel crowded. Besides, it’s really easy-to-read.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

PY : The name of this design, The Plant, is from its background watermark. The background watermark is actually a pencil sketch of a plant. I drew it in Shanghai, 1998. It’s a piece of pencil drawing practice in Hua Shan Art School. I love it.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

PY : Adobe Illustrator and Watchmaker app.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

PY : The most unique aspect is its visual and user experience. Simple minimalism style, easy-to-read visual together with all the essential functions for daily use.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

PY : I did it on my own. Conceptualized it. Design it. Code it. All by myself.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

PY : The role of technology in this design is not the most important. It just does its basic function — fetch the correct data.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

PY : No, there is no data research involved.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

PY : The challenge is how to organize all the information blocks in a beautiful layout. The layout must be not-crowded and easy-to-read at the same time.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

PY : I didn’t decide. If lucky, I guess, my design will be nominated. Just like this time. One day, I received the email from A’Design, saying that this watch face design was nominated.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

PY : I got a lot of feedback from my social media posts.