Watch product
The most important requirement voiced by the co-designer is that the device should not stand out or draw attention to her. This could lead to questions from her environment about the purpose of the device, which would force her to share details about her condition she might not feel comfortable sharing with others. It would furthermore force our co-designer into uncomfortable social situations and could draw more (unwanted) attention to her. Since the goal of the device is to reduce overstimulation it is, therefore, important to choose a shape that does not stand out and is easily accessible. The following requirements apply to the physical shape of the device.
Shape requirements
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The device should be easily accessible
In order to give feedback easily and in a private fashion the action of giving feedback should not require a lot of movement, this would not only make the use of the device more of a chore but would also draw attention
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The device should blend in using orthodox product shapes
By playing into the general perception of what products should look like the device blends in more
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The device should allow for an interaction to be socially expected
If the device has the shape of an object that is often interacted with, such as a smartwatch or a phone, an interaction does not draw any attention. Some products do not normally include an (advanced) interaction, such as a ring or a necklace, adding interaction to such a product draws attention.
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The device should physically allow for the determined interaction
Since the co-designer will have to give feedback on her current mindset the device should physically be large enough for her to do this, as well as being large enough to display text in a readable fashion based on her feedback.
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The device should not reduce mobility
The co-designer should be motivated to use the device, use of this device should therefore not cause any physical impairments or discomfort.
Taking all these requirements into account, together with the co-designer the decision is made to give the device a (smart) watch shape. Because of the development and rising popularity of smartwatches in the last years, it is not likely that the shape will lead to any questions. Furthermore, people often interact with their smart watches, and the interaction will be very accessible.
There already exist many smartwatches that could be used for this project, yet the decision is made to go through a design process to develop a new design specifically for this watch. This is because the co-designer stated that she did not like the smart watches she had previously tested, because they require a lot of setup and have too many functions. This made the experience of these watches very unpleasant for her. Using a pre-existing smart watch for the device would therefore not likely result in her often using the device, which would defeat its purpose.
Style
During the co-design session, the co-designer expressed that the following two collages best illustrate her style preference, specifically regarding (smart) watches.
Based on these collages, smart watches that fit the co-designers style are collected and combined into an ‘inspiration board’, with the aim of getting inspired and researching what the current market of smartwatches looks like.
Ideation
The nine most promising ideas are further ideated upon. These are selected based on how likely they are to be adopted by the user, to what extent they create diverse concepts, how well the shape would lend itself to the desired interaction and how visually pleasing the ideas are.
These ideas are considered in a 3D space; not only considering the top view but also possible side views, playing with:
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The overall thickness of the watch
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The relative thickness of different elements, such as chamfers
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The position of the band; connecting flush with the top of the watch or sunken
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The position of the screen; flush or sunken with respect to the top of the watch
The three most promising ideas are further developed into concepts. These three are again selected based on how likely they are to be adopted by the user, to what extent they create diverse concepts, how well the shape would lend itself to the desired interaction, and how visually pleasing the ideas are.
Based on the college's and the ‘inspiration board’ ideation is executed with regards to the main part of the watch. The different ideas range from a very geometric, retro look to a more rounded, modern, and commonly used look for smartwatches.
Within the range of these ideation drawings, different elements are ideated, such as:
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The external shape of the watch; geometric to rounded
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Symmetry and asymmetry in the watch
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Width to height ratios; negative, even, and positive ratios
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The size of the screens compared to the size of the watch
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The shape of the screen; matching or diverting from the shape of the watch
Concepts
Concept I
The first concept draws inspiration from Seiko Alba analog watches from the 80s.
It has a vertically stretched octagon shape, with rounded edges to make it look more comfortable and more in line with modern smartwatches that often employ soft edges. A slightly rounded chamfer is added on top that tapers towards the screen, and the backside tapers off. Because of the roundings, the geometric shape is made to look more natural and ergonomic.
The snooze button is positioned on the right side of the watch and is tapered to match the taper of the octagon shape, which blends the button into the watch and makes it more comfortable to use.
Similar to the Seiko Alba this watch has a metal band, but a more simple, classy, and modern black one.
Concept II
The second concept draws some inspiration from the Casio watches of the 70s.
It has a rounded square base with a sunken square screen. The top of the base has a fillet and the backside tapers. The base of the watch is seamlessly connected to the band by two tapered sections on the top and bottom, that slope from the top filet and bottom of the base to the band.
The watch has a simple black leather band with a silver buckle.
The snooze button is integrated on the top of the watch just under the screen. It is a slightly elevated section that follows the fillet and slope of the watch, and when pressed will lay flush with the watch. This makes it an easy to access button that has a luxurious feel to it.
Concept III
The third concept draws inspiration from the Apple smartwatches.
This watch is very similar to most of the currently available smartwatches. While this similarity is unfortunate from a design point of view, it does play its part. This similarity makes sure that the watch does not draw attention, as it is easily disregarded as ‘just a smartwatch’.
The base shape does differ from that of standard smartwatches in a few ways:
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The screen lays flush
Many smartwatch screens are rounded towards the edges and have their screen flow into the rest of the watch. This watch has a flush and straight screen that is contained by the watch.
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The top is chamfered
To add visual intrigue the rounded screens are swapped out for a sharp chamfer. Because of the small size of the chamfer, this should not influence the user’s comfort when using the watch.
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Asymmetric back fillet
Most smartwatches have a symmetric fillet on the backside that is almost equal to the one on the front of the watch. This symmetry brings some level of elegance but is also not very interesting to look at. This watch has a stronger rounding on the back of the watch. This creates a more dynamic and interesting look.​
The band of the watch has a modern look and combines a pressure connection with a small pin fit on the inside. The band fits through the buckle which holds it through applied pressure, and the end of the part of the band on the inside connects with a small pin.
Concept choice
In consultation with our co-designer the third concept is selected, for the following reasons:
Aesthetics
The third concept is most in line with the style of the user, having a more simple, clean, and modern look.
The third concept has the least amount of visual noise, which is appropriate for the goal of the watch; reducing overstimulation. The look of the third watch best embodies this purpose and was therefore looked upon most favorably by the codesigner.
Privacy
The third concept is the most similar to the currently available smartwatches and is, therefore, the most likely to be disregarded as a ‘normal’ smartwatch. The relatively rare combination of retro and modern styles seen in concept I and concept II are more likely to cause questions regarding the purpose of the watch or interest from people that might want a more unique looking ‘smartwatch’.
Function
The watch has relatively few functions and therefore does not have to be very large. The biggest determinators of the minimum size of the watch are the vibration motor inside used to give the notification and the display, which has to be able to display text in a readable way.
The third concept uses its shape the most effectively, having the largest screen to overall size ratio. The first concept is a close runner up, but the octagon shape does not lend itself as well to displaying text in the most (size) efficient way, as the extra width adds little extra value.
Concept development prototyping
Size
In order to determine the most appropriate and desirable sizes for the smartwatch, several sizes are made tangible using simplified PU prototypes. The most appropriate size is estimated based on whether it is likely to be able to properly display the required date (number 3: 32 x 40mm) and two larger and two smaller sizes are made, for a total of five size variations.
The simplified prototypes are spray painted silver and black to simulate the metal outside of the watch and the black screen, to help with visualizing what the best size would be.
Each of the simplified prototypes is outfitted with a piece of velcro on the backside. During the second codesign session the co-designer is outfitted with a simple velcro band, allowing her to quickly switch between the different sizes. This does not properly succeed in communicating what the thickness of the actual watch will be; the prototypes lay on top of the band, as opposed to the band being connected to the ends on the watch. However it is a cost and time effecticient method that allows the co-designer to quickly visualize what the different sizes of watches would look like.
Thickness
These prototypes did not differ in thickness. In order to make the watch ergonomic and pleasant in use, the aim is to make it as thin as possible, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing enough room for the different components that are needed within the watch to achieve its functions.
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The minimum thickness of the watch is estimated at 7mm, this dimension is derived based on the following.
An important function of the watch is the ability to give vibration notifications. Vibrations are achieved in phones and smartwatches most often by using either a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) or an Eccentric Rotating Mass (ERM).
LRA’s give quick and light vibrations and are often used to give feedback in virtual buttons. ERM’s can create a more intense vibration that can be felt throughout a device, and is often used to denote notifications [source 1].
An ERM is therefore the correct part to use in order to give notifications on the phone, but is a bit larger, at a standard size of ± 10 x 4 x 4mm.
Looking at other smartwatches, the thinnest smartwatch on the market as of 2022 is the Pebble Time Round, at a mere 7.5mm thin [source 2]. While it is unknown whether this watch employs an ERM motor, this does show that a smartwatch can be as slim as 7.5mm.
Because this watch will have relatively few functions in comparison to the Pebble Time Round, the estimation is made that even with a 4mm diameter ERM motor the watch can be as slim as 7mm while maintaining structural integrity and fitting all the required components.