Concept Work
Year / 2023
Role / Industrial Designer
Timeline / 1 Week
Year / 2023
Role / Industrial Designer
Timeline / 1 Week
This Consumer Electronic Project was originally conceptualized during 2023 Inktober for the prompt "Subtle". I wanted a smartwatch to blend in with a simple and fashionable wristband that could be worn on the front or back of the wrist.
"Another challenge lies (of wearable tech) in consumer adoption and perception. While many individuals may recognize the benefits of wearable tech, others may resist due to concerns about privacy, data security, or the aesthetic integration into their daily lives." Hakia: Covering All Angles of Technology, 2024
Smartwatches have become a staple of modern wearable technology, offering health tracking, notifications, and seamless connectivity in a compact form. However, mainstream adoption still faces hurdles—primarily in design and comfort. Unlike smartphones, which evolved into an essential and socially acceptable tool, smartwatches remain a personal choice, often dictated by style preferences rather than pure functionality.
The biggest challenge for smartwatches is their visibility. A bulky screen on the wrist is a clear signal of technology, drawing attention and sometimes clashing with personal aesthetics. Many users appreciate the convenience of a smartwatch but are hesitant to wear a device that disrupts their look or feels intrusive. The solution lies in discretion—a watch that offers smart features without announcing itself as a piece of tech.
Harper is designed to bridge that gap. Instead of trying to replace traditional watches with an overt screen, it embraces a subtle, fashion-forward approach—one that feels as natural as a wristband but retains the intelligence of modern wearables.
Early smartwatches struggled with adoption due to a mix of functionality, fashion, and user perception. The Pebble Smartwatch proved there was demand for wearable tech but remained a niche product, as its utilitarian design failed to appeal to mainstream consumers. The Apple Watch refined the concept by blending technology with fashion, marketing it as both a luxury item and a health tool, yet its distinct screen and reliance on an iPhone kept it separate from traditional timepieces. Meanwhile, hybrid smartwatches like those from Withings and Fossil attempted to merge analog style with subtle smart features, but their limited displays and interactions prevented them from becoming the default smartwatch experience. These examples show that for mass adoption, a smartwatch must seamlessly integrate technology without demanding attention—something Harper aims to achieve.
Devices like the Apple Watch have successfully positioned themselves as premium, all-in-one smartwatch solutions, integrating health tracking, notifications, and seamless smartphone connectivity. Meanwhile, budget-friendly options like the Xiaomi Mi Band cater to a more price-conscious audience, focusing on essential features without the premium cost. These devices target different consumers, but both succeed because they embrace the smartwatch form factor as an extension of existing technology rather than a radical departure. The challenge remains in making smartwatches more than just secondary screens for phones—finding a way for them to blend more naturally into fashion, comfort, and everyday interactions without feeling like a miniature smartphone strapped to the wrist.
As major smartwatch brands continue to prioritize large displays and eye-catching designs, there’s a need for a more subtle approach—one that delivers the same powerful smart features without the bulk. A watch that seamlessly integrates into daily life, offering discreet yet effective technology. That’s where the Harper Watch stands apart.
There’s a whole world of information that shapes how we live—our health, our routines, and the way we connect. But smartwatches don’t need to be flashy to be powerful. The Harper Watch was designed to seamlessly provide essential insights, without distractions, keeping what matters most effortlessly within reach.
The Harper Watch is an extension of you. It syncs seamlessly with your phone, relaying essential information without disruption. Its minimalist interface is designed for subtle interactions—quick glances, haptic feedback, and effortless control, all without the need for flashy gestures or distractions.
The Harper Watch is designed to be a tool of effortless utility. It provides information exactly when needed—no distractions, no excess. With a discreet glance, it delivers updates, tracks health, and keeps you informed, then fades into the background until called upon again.
Its design enhances both style and function, making it as much a part of your daily routine as it is an extension of your awareness.
