Pioneering Smartwatch Face Design for Wear OS
A groundbreaking collaboration between Ustwo and Google's Wear OS team revolutionized watch face design and development, setting a new standard for smartwatch user experiences.
Client: Google
Studio: Ustwo
Year: 2017
Role: UI/UX Design
Introduction
In March 2014, Google introduced Wear OS, a new version of Android specifically designed for wearable devices. With the impending release of smartwatches powered by Wear OS, Google sought a design partner to develop an array of smartwatch faces that would serve as visual and functional extensions of the operating system. They reached out to Ustwo, a renowned design studio, to help establish best practices and create a collection of watch faces. The primary challenge was to design smartwatch faces that not only complemented Wear OS but also enhanced the user experience by being intuitive, customizable, and visually appealing. This involved understanding the unique constraints and opportunities presented by wearable devices and translating that into compelling designs. The project's primary goal was to create a diverse set of smartwatch faces that would be showcased at Google’s annual developer conference and later released alongside the new Wear OS Watch Face API. Objectives included:
▪ Developing designs that are both functional and visually captivating.
▪ Ensuring high glanceability and ease of use.
▪ Facilitating user customization.
▪ Documenting the design process to establish guidelines.
My Role and Responsibilities
Role: As a UX/UI designer at Ustwo, I played a key role in this project.
Team: The project team consisted of five designers, including myself, working alongside engineers, project managers, and Google's developer relations team.
Responsibilities:
▪ Conducting initial research to understand the Wear OS platform and its user base.
▪ Creating and iterating on design concepts.
▪ Developing wireframes and interactive prototypes.
▪ Collaborating with engineers to ensure the designs were feasible and optimized for different screen modalities.
▪ Testing designs and refining them based on user feedback.
▪ Documenting the design process and contributing to the creation of the Wear OS smartwatch face design guidelines.
Research
User Research: Our research phase aimed to gain a deep understanding of the Wear OS platform and user needs. This included:
Platform Analysis: Studying Wear OS’s capabilities, limitations, and potential use cases.
User Personas: Developing personas representing various user segments, from tech enthusiasts to fitness buffs.
Market Analysis: Reviewing existing smartwatch faces and identifying gaps and opportunities for innovation.
Findings: Key insights from our research included:
▪ Glanceability: Users needed to access information quickly and effortlessly.
▪ Customization: Personalization was crucial, as users wanted their smartwatch faces to reflect their individual styles and preferences.
▪ Data Integration: Users valued watch faces that provided meaningful, real-time data, such as fitness metrics or weather updates.
Personas and Scenarios: Based on our research, we developed detailed personas, including:
▪ Tom: A tech enthusiast who values cutting-edge design and customization.
▪ Fiona: A fitness-oriented user who needs real-time data on her workouts and health metrics.
▪ Peter: A professional who requires at-a-glance information and a sleek, understated design.
Ideation and Design Process
Brainstorming and Sketching: We began with brainstorming sessions to generate a wide range of ideas. Each designer sketched multiple concepts, focusing on innovative ways to display time and integrate data.
Wireframes and Prototypes:
▪ Wireframes: We created low-fidelity wireframes to outline the basic structure and functionality of each watch face.
▪ Interactive Prototypes: High-fidelity prototypes were developed to simulate the user experience and test interactions.
▪ Design Iterations: Our design process was iterative and collaborative. We continuously tested and refined our concepts based on feedback from both internal reviews and user testing sessions.
Key Designs:
Rift: This watch face featured 60 spikes extending from the edges, representing minutes. The spikes shifted in color from lavender to fuchsia to indicate seconds. This design emphasized the passage of time in a visually striking manner.
Waves: A grid of squares flipped to reveal underlying colors, creating a dynamic, ever-changing display. Users could customize the color themes, making it a highly personalized option.
Versus: Integrated fitness data within the watch face, allowing users to track their step count and other metrics at a glance. The design focused on simplicity and clarity to ensure that data was easily digestible.
Testing and Validation
Usability Testing: We conducted usability tests with a diverse group of users to validate our designs. Participants were asked to complete specific tasks while interacting with the watch faces, and we gathered feedback on ease of use, visual appeal, and overall experience.
Feedback and Insights: The testing phase provided valuable insights:
▪ Positive Feedback: Users appreciated the unique and engaging designs. The customization options were particularly well-received.
▪ Areas for Improvement: Some users found certain elements confusing or difficult to read in different lighting conditions. There were also requests for additional customization features.
▪ Iterations Based on Feedback: We made several refinements based on user feedback:
▪ Enhanced Readability: Adjusted color contrasts and font sizes to improve readability in various lighting conditions.
▪ Additional Customization: Added more options for users to personalize their watch faces, including different themes and data displays.
Final Design and Implementation
Final Design: The final collection included 20 unique watch faces, divided into two sets:
Digital Styles: Designs that emphasized visual flair and dynamic movements, such as Rift and Waves.
Data-Integrated Faces: Designs like Versus that incorporated real-time data in a clear and user-friendly manner.
Implementation: We collaborated closely with Google's engineering team to ensure our designs were accurately implemented. This involved:
▪ Regular check-ins and design reviews.
▪ Testing on various smartwatch models to ensure compatibility and performance.
▪ Refining interactions and animations to optimize the user experience.
Outcomes and Results
Metrics and KPIs: Post-launch, we tracked several key metrics to measure the success of our designs:
User Adoption: The new watch faces were widely adopted, with thousands of downloads within the first week.
User Engagement: Positive feedback and high engagement levels indicated that users enjoyed the new designs and found them useful.
Customization Usage: Data showed that users frequently utilized the customization options, validating the importance of this feature.
User Feedback: The feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive. They praised the visual appeal, ease of use, and customization options of the new watch faces.
Business Impact: The successful launch of the new watch faces strengthened Google’s Wear OS platform, attracting more users and developers. It also showcased Ustwo’s design capabilities, leading to further collaborations with Google.
Lessons Learned and Reflections
Challenges we faced:
▪ Balancing Innovation and Usability: Ensuring our designs were both innovative and user-friendly was a significant challenge.
▪ Technical Constraints: Working within the technical constraints of the Wear OS platform required creative problem-solving and close collaboration with engineers.
What I learned:
▪ User-Centered Design: The importance of involving users throughout the design process to ensure the final product meets their needs.
▪ Iterative Process: The value of continuous testing and iteration to refine and improve designs.
Collaboration: The necessity of strong collaboration between designers, engineers, and stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
Future improvements:
▪ Continuous Improvement: Regular updates and new features to keep the watch faces fresh and engaging.
▪ Expanded Customization: Offering even more customization options to cater to a wider range of user preferences.
Conclusion
The Wear OS smartwatch face project was a landmark collaboration between Ustwo and Google, resulting in innovative and engaging designs that set a new standard for smartwatch user experiences. The success of the project was a testament to the power of user-centered design, iterative processes, and strong collaboration. The lessons learned and the guidelines developed will continue to influence future smartwatch face designs, ensuring that Wear OS remains a leading platform for wearable technology.
Reflecting on this project, it stands out as one of the most inspiring and rewarding experiences of my career. The dedication, creativity, and teamwork that went into creating these watch faces were truly exceptional, and I am proud to have been part of such a pioneering effort. The Wear OS smartwatch face project not only pushed the boundaries of design but also reinforced the importance of a user-focused approach in creating meaningful and impactful products.