Akimio Concept – Standard Automatics (Watch Design Series 1 of 3)
Akimio Concept – Standard Automatics (Watch Design Series 1 of 3)
After successfully developing a brand around a product, we were offered the chance to flip the process and design a product to fit the existing brand. Having never designed a watch before we were eager to take a controlled experimental approach. The mechanics themselves were a predetermined automatics movement from Japan, leading us to choose a simplistic bezel design with limited pushers and a single crown. To complete our canvas we had to settle on a single strap to complement our stainless steel body. With the primary demographic leaning more towards young females, market trends showed a supple white leather with an animal (croc/alligator) texture would seem most appealing. Our research also led us to observe other fashion treads amongst the same demographic – bejeweled smartphone cases, oversized handbags and vintage jewelry with either semi-precious gemstones or pearls all trended abnormally high.
Akimio Concept – Standard Automatics (Watch Design Series 1 of 3)
After successfully developing a brand around a product, we were offered the chance to flip the process and design a product to fit the existing brand. Having never designed a watch before we were eager to take a controlled experimental approach.
The mechanics themselves were a predetermined automatics movement from Japan, leading us to choose a simplistic bezel design with limited pushers and a single crown. To complete our canvas we had to settle on a single strap to complement our stainless steel body. With the primary demographic leaning more towards young females, market trends showed a supple white leather with an animal (croc/alligator) texture would seem most appealing. Our research also led us to observe other fashion treads amongst the same demographic – bejeweled smartphone cases, oversized handbags and vintage jewelry with either semi-precious gemstones or pearls all trended abnormally high.
We knew we wanted to try and keep the watch face relatively clean while still trying to achieve some sort of uniqueness in the automatics category. Having come across some interesting diamond setting in our research we experimented with a “wave” of micro-diamonds that would encompass 1/3 of the watch face. Combined that with a smooth glossy white or blue pearl-shell backing and we had differentiated ourselves from the pricier alternatives of larger diamonds and gemstones saturating the market. Our second concept was a more traditional approach to watch design. Having left a bit of wiggle room in the budget, we opted for a slight variation of the existing movement – gaining functionality in the form of a date window. To complement the upgraded mechanics a die cut was implemented to partially expose the actual workings of the mechanics beneath the dial. We then pushed our design towards unusual ways to display the date, beyond that of a traditional window. By merging the previous two concepts we started to hone in on a unique set of attributes. To conclude our final concept, markers were placed along the outside edges of the bezel with 4 micro-diamonds set along one quarter of the watch face. Complimented by a unique carved pearl shell in the form of a “wave”.
We knew we wanted to try and keep the watch face relatively clean while still trying to achieve some sort of uniqueness in the automatics category. Having come across some interesting diamond setting in our research we experimented with a “wave” of micro-diamonds that would encompass 1/3 of the watch face. Combined that with a smooth glossy white or blue pearl-shell backing and we had differentiated ourselves from the pricier alternatives of larger diamonds and gemstones saturating the market. Our second concept was a more traditional approach to watch design. Having left a bit of wiggle room in the budget, we opted for a slight variation of the existing movement – gaining functionality in the form of a date window. To complement the upgraded mechanics a die cut was implemented to partially expose the actual workings of the mechanics beneath the dial. We then pushed our design towards unusual ways to display the date, beyond that of a traditional window. By merging the previous two concepts we started to hone in on a unique set of attributes. To conclude our final concept, markers were placed along the outside edges of the bezel with 4 micro-diamonds set along one quarter of the watch face. Complimented by a unique carved pearl shell in the form of a “wave”.
Tags: Concept Design, Graphics
