The Muse: A Smartwatch Face Inspired by Nature and Gemstones

A Unique Blend of Art and Technology

The Muse was born out of a casual sketch that Alex Pan Yong was drawing on his iPad while sitting in a bar. As the strokes flowed, the sketch transformed into a totem-like graphic that sparked an idea. Pan Yong envisioned this totem-like graphic as the main element of a smartwatch face, combining the feeling of nature with the elegance of a gemstone.

What sets the Muse apart from other smartwatch faces is its unique aesthetic. Rather than resembling a traditional watch, it leans towards the combination of stone and gem, conveying a sense of nature while still retaining the allure of a precious gem. The Muse stands out as a design that seamlessly blends technology and art.

The realization of the Muse involved a multi-step process. Pan Yong initially drew the sketch on his iPad using the Procreate app. Once the drawing was complete, he exported it into Photoshop, separating different layers for each hour. These layers were then exported as PNG images and imported into Facer, a watch face making app. Through programming, Pan Yong controlled which layer should be highlighted at each hour, effectively telling the time. To represent the minutes, he incorporated a glare-like stroke to mimic the beauty of natural light. The center of the watch face displays essential information such as the date, step count, and battery level, ensuring that users can quickly access important data. The numbers around the watch face are rendered in Roman numerals, adding an antique touch and enhancing the overall appearance of an ancient gemstone.

With dimensions of 400 x 400 pixels on Android watches and 360 x 360 pixels on Samsung watches, the Muse is compatible with both round and square smartwatches. Its design supports the seamless integration of technology and aesthetics, providing users with a unique and informative experience.

The Muse is already available on the Facer app. To access this captivating smartwatch face, simply search for "Artalex" on the Facer app or website and look for the name "Muse." Click the "send to watch" button to sync the design onto your smartwatch. Make sure to have the Facer app installed on your device to enjoy the Muse's exceptional design.

The Muse project began in February 2020 in Singapore and was completed in September 2020. It was released on the Facer and WatchMaker apps in September 2020, allowing users to experience the fusion of art and technology on their smartwatches.

Although the Muse was not the result of extensive research, it emerged from a moment of inspiration. Pan Yong's aimless sketch led to the desire to create a non-traditional watch face that followed his artistic instincts.

One of the biggest challenges in designing the Muse was to make it look less like a watch and more like a gemstone while still providing essential timekeeping and information. Pan Yong successfully achieved this by incorporating the totemic background as the key element for telling the hour and using a glare-like stroke to indicate the minutes. The overall gemstone appearance creates an exotic user experience that sets the Muse apart from other smartwatch faces.

The Muse, designed by Alex Pan Yong, is a testament to the fusion of art, technology, and nature. Its totemic background and gemstone-like aesthetics provide users with a unique and visually captivating way to tell time and access essential information. Experience the Muse on your smartwatch and embark on a journey where art and technology intertwine.