How to design a smartwatch? Designing a smartwatch is no easy task. There are so many different features and design options to consider, it can be hard to know where to start.
Not only do you have to decide on the features of your smartwatch, but you also have to choose the right design and materials. If you get it wrong, your watch will look dated and out of style in no time.
With our help, designing a smartwatch doesn’t have to be difficult. Edon Lazaj will guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the right features to selecting the perfect design.
How to design a smartwatch? What To Keep In Mind for UX design
Glanceable content
The first and foremost thing you need to keep in mind while designing for smartwatches is that the users will mostly be looking at the screen only for a few seconds. So, the content on the screen must be designed keeping this short attention span in mind. The content should be clear, concise and to-the-point. Also, since the users will be accessing the information on their smartwatches while they are on the go, it is important to make sure that the content is easy to read and digest quickly.
Core functionality
While designing the user interface for a smartwatch, it is important to focus on the core functionality of the device. Since the screen real estate on a smartwatch is limited, you need to make sure that only the most essential information and features are included in the design. Everything else can be relegated to secondary importance.
Responsiveness
Another important aspect of designing for smartwatches is that the user interface must be responsive. This means that the UI must be able to adapt to the various screen sizes and resolutions of different smartwatches. The design should also be optimized for touch input, as most users will be interacting with the device using their fingers.
Simple navigation
The navigation on a smartwatch should be simple and predictable. The users should be able to easily find their way around the UI without getting lost. The most common navigation patterns for smartwatches are the watch face, the home screen and the menu screen.
Minimize the number of pages
Since the users will only have a limited amount of time to interact with the smartwatch, it is important to reduce the total number of pages in the UI. This will help to minimize the amount of time that the users need to spend navigating through the different screens.
Choose proper navigation model
There are various navigation models that can be used for smartwatches. The most common ones are the hierarchical model and the chronological model. For most applications, the hierarchical model is more suitable as it allows the users to easily access the different features and options.
Be consistent the meaning of gestures
The gestures on a smartwatch should be consistent with the ones that are used on other devices. This will help the users to easily adapt to the new interface. Also, the gestures should be intuitive and should not require the users to think too much about them.
Minimize the cost of interaction
The interaction cost is the amount of time and effort that is required to perform an action on a smartwatch. This includes the time taken to navigate through the different screens and the time taken to input data. The interaction cost should be kept to a minimum to make sure that the users are able to quickly get the information they need.
Use device sensors
The various sensors on a smartwatch can be used to provide a more immersive and interactive experience for the users. For example, the accelerometer can be used to detect the user’s movement and gestures. This information can then be used to trigger certain actions or display relevant information.
Notifications
The notifications on a smartwatch should be timely and relevant. This means that they should not be too frequent or intrusive. The users should also be able to easily control the types and frequency of notifications that they receive.
Optimize media content
All images should be optimzed
Optimize all images and videos for the small screen size of a smartwatch. This will help to reduce the loading time and improve the overall user experience.
The content should be designed keeping the above points in mind. The content should be clear, concise and to-the-point. Also, since the users will be accessing the information on their smartwatches while they are on the go, it is important to make sure that the content is easy to read and digest quickly.
Video clips should be short
Video content should be kept short as the users will not have the time or patience to watch long videos. The videos should be designed in such a way that they can be easily paused and resumed.
Graphic design
Typography
The typography on a smartwatch should be easily readable. This means that the font size should be large enough to be legible even on a small screen. The font style should also be simple and easy to read.
Text alignment and the UI elements alignment
The text and the UI elements should be aligned properly. This will help to improve the readability of the content. Also, the alignment should be consistent throughout the UI.
Colors
The colors used in the UI should be chosen carefully. They should be contrasting enough to be easily readable. Also, the colors should be used in such a way that they help to improve the overall look and feel of the UI.
Animation
The animations should be used sparingly as they can be distracting. They should also be relevant to the content and should not be too long.
Avoid thinking about smartwatches in isolation
While designing a smartwatch, it is important to keep in mind that the users will be using the device along with their smartphones. The design should take into account the interactions between the two devices. For example, the notifications on the smartwatch should be able to sync with the ones on the smartphone.
The content should be designed keeping the above points in mind. The content should be clear, concise and to-the-point. Also, since the users will be accessing the information on their smartwatches while they are on the go, it is important to make sure that the content is easy to read and digest quickly.
Next, we will provide you 9 tips you should keep in mind when designing smartwatch apps.
9 tips you should keep in mind when designing smartwatch apps
Functional design
The watch should be comfortable to wear and the UI should be easy to use. The buttons should be placed in such a way that they can be easily reached and operated.
Follow guidelines of platform design
Each platform has its own design guidelines which should be followed while designing the app. This will help to ensure that the app is consistent with the other apps on the platform.
Make use of gestures
The app should make use of gestures to provide a better user experience. For example, the users should be able to swipe through the different screens.
Handle errors
The app should be designed in such a way that it can gracefully handle errors. This will help to improve the overall user experience.
Design content in a scannable way
The content should be designed in such a way that it can be easily scanned. This will help the users to quickly find the information they are looking for.
Take standalone functionality into account
The app should be designed in such a way that it can work even when the users are not connected to their smartphones. This will help to improve the overall user experience.
A smartwatch is not a small smartphone
The design should take into account the limitations of the device. For example, the UI should be designed keeping in mind the small screen size.
Using alerts should be rational
Alerts should be used sparingly as they can be annoying. They should be relevant and should not be too frequent.
Be careful with inputs
The input methods should be carefully designed keeping in mind the small form factor of the device. For example, it is not easy to type on a small keyboard.
F.A.Q how to design a smartwatch
How do you make a smartwatch?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as the design of a smartwatch will vary depending on the platform it is being designed for and the specific requirements of the app.
Can you build your own smartwatch?
Yes, it is possible to build your own smartwatch. However, it is not recommended for those who are not familiar with the inner workings of a smartwatch.
What materials are used to make smart watches?
The materials used to make a smartwatch will vary depending on the specific design of the watch. However, common materials include plastic, metal, and glass.
What technology is used in smartwatches?
The technology used in smartwatches will vary depending on the specific design of the watch.
Conclusion
Smartwatch design is a complex process, but there are some key things to keep in mind when creating one of these devices. We’ve gone over the basics of what makes a smartwatch smart and how to make one that is both stylish and functional. Let us know in the comment section if you have any questions about designing your own smartwatch or need help getting started. Thanks for reading!