01
Research
78%
25%
of individuals aged 18-24 reported frequent changes in their daily routines and activities.
a notable increase in wearable tech sector among women aged 18-34
In a market saturated with masculine smartwatches, recognizing the influence of young women as significant consumers is crucial. Recent data from the Consumer Technology Association indicates a notable increase in technology adoption among women aged 18-34, particularly in the wearable tech sector. Coupled with the fast-paced lifestyle of the young generation, this trend highlights a need for smartwatches that are flexible, adaptive, and cater to the evolving preferences of this dynamic demographic.
Brief
Sponsored by Samsung, the goal of this project is to design the next generation of Samsung galaxy watches. We are required to enlarge the potential target group to incorporate more young women users. watch needed to convey gender neutral and premium qualities.
Young & Premium
Why people do not wear their smart watch?
Coming from an interview question for users who used to buy smart watches.
Because...
They are distracted.
"Watch notifications can be distracting. I wish there is a better balance between staying informed and not disrupting the moment."
They are bulky.
"Sleeping with this watch is a struggle – it's just too bulky and uncomfortable. It should be cozy, not clunky, especially when I am in sleeping mode..."
They easily run out of battery.
"Forgetting to charge overnight is really disturb me a lot; I need to wear it for body data, but the nightly charge struggle is real...“
18 years-old / College Student in Aerospace
20 years-old / College Student in Finance
20 years-old / College Student in Design
Smart watch turns into a dead piece due to its inability to adapt to fast-changing life patterns.
Insight
As a result, 70% of interviewee reflect that they usually do not want or be able to wear their smart watches everyday.
What if...
A flexible watch that can switch its mode.
The freedom to switch between light and heavy enables the watch itself to follow the user's changing lifestyle. Users can choose whether the watch will keep them stay informed or provide only the most limited information.
a watch that will never die, you can wear it 24/7...
Imagining...
02
Concept
MOBIUS
It is the next generation of Samsung watch. It revolves around the transition between the ebb and flow from periods of hyperactivity with more information and calm with minimal stimulus.
Introducing
How it works...
Case can be charged separately
Band with sensor keep tracking body data
Reattach
Detach
Detachable Case
The case can be easily detached from the strap by rotating it, allowing the user to choose whether they want to wear it lighter or heavier.
Strap + build in sensor module
While the case is removed, the user can still wear the strap to check body data. This flexibility is in keeping with the rapidly changing pace of modern life.
It means...
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This ensures uninterrupted health tracking, even during periods when they may not be wearing the full smartwatch.
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The detachable case allows users to use the strap as a standalone light-weight fitness tracker or data sensor when they don't necessary need the full functionality of the watch.
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Continuous charging capability ensures that the user can seamlessly transition between using the strap independently and reattaching the fully charged case when needed.
"Mobius Ring"
The design language abstracts the image of the Möbius ring, presented in sharp-edged variations, intended to echo the concept of the watch never-die.
+
Detail
03
Rotating and unlock
Meet the strap-embedded sensor module – a sleek powerhouse delivering continuous health tracking without sacrificing comfort or style.
Mobius rotating bezel
PCB Board
Display
Module
Wireless Charging
lithium battery
module for charging and wireless transfer
Sensor Shell
Wireless Communication
The band with embedded sensors is able to send monitoring data remotely to the watch body, which gives the user a diverse wearing experience.
"Bedside clock"
I also designed a charging post based on the detachable case, making its combination a bedside clock while charging the case.
Charging
The case charges while providing users with an accurate chime while they sleep.
Sleeping band
Using the ai drawings as a source of inspiration I finally decided on the model style and design details and presented them as sketches.
Using Case
From steps one, two, and three, I describe how the design optimizes the experience when the user goes to bed at night, when the user wakes up in the morning, and when engaging in physically demanding activities.
04
CMF
Daily life curator
PANTONE (U):
503U
Aluminum alloy case, Elastic Nylon Strap
PANTONE (U):
523U
Aluminum alloy case, Elastic Nylon Strap
Young Professional
PANTONE (U):
503U
2738U
Aluminum alloy case, Silicon Strap
PANTONE (U):
Cool Gray 1U
Black 6U
Aluminum alloy case, Silicon Strap
Clasp
In this design I used the Samsung watch clasp design, which is meant to be innovative while retaining Samsung's original brand design elements. At the same time, a buckle less design has been introduced to maximize the benefits for users who want to pursue the boundary of lightness.
Young + Premium
gen zers represents the younger generation, and this watch echoes their limitless possibilities with a design that is simple but not banal.
It is the watch
that can change the style the way you do.
Packaging
Using Pure white and light pink as the main color choices for packaging, I am aiming to embody the lightness and elegant of the design, while also create a sharp contrast between soft white packaging and shining watch in the middle.
05
Comment
"It's a smart design, and it does solve the user's conflict between charging and detecting body data when using a smartwatch."
-Hubert H. Lee, Leader of Samsung MX Design Team
"In terms of design language, its sharp-edged style is very responsive to Samsung's pursuit of Geometry Sensuality"
-Yongseok Bang, Lead designer of the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
06
Process
Design iteration
Ideations matter, I proposed several possible directions, which set up a good foundation of understanding what Samsung teams are looking for.
Prototyping
I print out all the variation and test it to check the size and how well it fit to user's wrist, making sure that my design is not only appealing, but also usable.