The hackable smartwatch

Context

Insight

Bangle.js is an open source, AI-enabled smart watch that can easily be customised to fit the user’s needs.

It enables developers and tech enthusiasts complete control over the smartwatch system and applications stored on it. There is an associated app store with company generated and public generated applications.

The Bangle.js also acts as a great educational tool, engaging users and encouraging new developers to create their own smartwatch apps.

The brief

Getting started

Bangle.js required the development of their brand identity. Simple, suitable on small screens with low resolutions - in particular on smart watches. The logo needed to look appealing on a black background due to the smartwatch display.

Time passed after release and the team at Bangle.js requested that DH support in the improvement of their user interface, thereby elevating the user experience of the smart watch.

Brand

Brand identity

An important use case of the Bangle.js branding material was it being used directly on the smart watch. Unlike the more standard digital displays, such as mobile phones and desktop screens, the bespoke smart watch display posed new constraints that affected design decisions.

A best practice with brand identity development is to always check the scalability of logos and other graphics. This was vital as visuals were to be used on a much smaller, lower resolution screen.

The colour palette had to be simple, with a lean towards black, as it would provide a higher contrast and ensure good readability. The iconography consisted of a very clear watch theme, and was a convenient location for the name extension - ‘.JS’.

Web

UX/UI development

Following on from the brand identity work, DH was later requested to advise on improvements to the watch’s user interface, ultimately trying to elevate the user experience.

Analysis of the existing system took place, with a large focus on accessibility. A series of quick wins were suggested, as well as more long term developments that could be rolled out gradually, so that owners weren't put off by significant changes to their usage.

Details such as button and font sizing, screen navigation and real estate were improved. This smart watch project was an interesting diversion from the usual web-based challenges DH regularly deals with.

Results

Impact

Thousands of Bangle JS smartwatches sold with the brand identity DH created, the logo in particular was implemented into the loading screen of every unit. The UX of the Bangle JS 2.0 unit was inproved through the suggestions laid out by DH, and customers could choose to install optional style changes as well.