Our first project for Content Design is to create a minimum of three screens for a smartwatch. We briefly went over Smartwatches last year but not in too much depth. There is no guidelines for what kind of app this has to be, which means our creativity has no limits. Technology is improving everyday and making our lives easier, with this, we were told our app does not have to technically “work”, for example, if we have an idea for an app but the software hasn't exactly been invented yet we can still pursue this idea. This is an extremely short project with only 2 weeks to be completed.
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Content comes in all shapes and sizes and can be made up of various content types. Text, icons, color, images and video. Your brief is to design three screens for a smartwatch app. This could be to manage fitness, water intake, payments, children tracker.
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Smartwatches are a wearable device that incorporate features of a traditional watch as it is worn around the wrist and a smartphone as it is touchscreen. Some of the features that are included in a smartwatch are GPS, notifications, Health and Fitness Tracker, Voice Assistants, Mobile Payments and Compatibility.
Smartwatches are incredibly popular now, there are many advantages to owning one. Many users that own a Smartwatch use it for health reasons. Smartwatches have many built in features that appeal to users looking to improve or track their physical activity. Smartwatches can monitor steps, distance and calories burnt, helping users stay active and set fitness targets. Other features that Smartwatches contain that can improve health include sleep tracking. The watches analyse sleep patterns, informing users on irregular or lack of sleep and providing insights, helping them improve their quality of sleep.
Although Smartwatches seem appealing, I wanted to find out the main differences between a Smartphone and a Smartwatch as they don't seem to have many different features .
As the device is worn around the wrist the Smartwatch has unique built in features to track different health metrics. On the bottom of the watch, there are LED lights to detect the blood flow and track heart rate. This allows the user to monitor their cardiovascular health when being active. Smartwatches also recognise different forms of exercise/ activity. Smartwatches would be appealing to users with heart problems as they can monitor their heart rate throughout the day. The watch can also send alerts to notify the user of an irregular heartbeat, or reminders for the user to move which encourages healthier habits.
Something that stands out is the connivence of the Smartwatch, the accessibility of important metrics and personal information without needing to carry multiple different devices with you is extremely attractive and appealing. As it is lightweight and touchscreen, it is much more appealing than holding a Smartphone. Smartwatches also include a GPS which could be an interesting and convenient use of the watch.
Another thing I found appealing about the Smartwatch is it can help users stay focused and spend less time scrolling on social media. As it is such a a small screen it would be frustrating to try use Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok etc. I think this device could be a great alternative to using a phone. Smartwatches enable you to prioritise essential functions, reducing temptations to check your phone for less important tasks. Also you can connect your Smartphone to your watch allowing important notifications, phone calls and alarms to go to your wrist, which also helps reduce the time you spend on your phone. A Smartwatch gives you a reason to not bring your Smartphone with you everywhere.
Lastly, something that companies must consider now when creating something is the personalisation and fashion aspect. Smartwatches have incorporated style into their watches which is a massive factor for a user deciding to buy something wearable. Many Smartwatches offer customizable and changeable bands made from different materials such as leather, silicone and fabric. Smartwatches also provide colour options, allowing personalisation that can match with outfits or reflect personality of the user. The Brands have different faces for the watches which users can choose from. Overall, smartwatches combine technology and style with health monitoring to promote a more active lifestyle.
I wanted to look into the most successful Smartwatch brands and assess their different faces. This will be helpful when making prototypes for my app.
The Google Wear OS has a circular face, this would be difficult to include text. This Smartwatch would be great for a clock app.
