With the introduction of the iPhone, wearable devices have turned into one of the most demanding things to exist. They have been the buzzword in the tech industry for years. The inauguration of the Apple Watches in the world of technology has paved the way for new features and designs for a user experiencing this type of device. Wearables are different when compared to the traditional web or mobile UX design.
Designing for multiple devices or the other external devices that the wearable device will interact with are some of the differences that should be mentioned while discussing wearables. Integrating web-based user experience with traditional user experience has brought one of the most bizarre forms of user experience.
In the initial stage, it is significant to discuss the wearable devices focusing on specific niches that will associate with these types of products. Hence, this will provide a comprehensive idea of advancing the user experience due to their acquaintanceship with other tech products. Also, such initiatives allow us to learn fast and operate devices.
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Who are you designing for?
We all know and comprehend the fact that user-friendly tech-savvy individuals spend their time online browsing sites about news related to technology, gadgets, recently launched models, updated features, Apple, Android, and are modernized when it comes to start-ups, development, and designs. Let us assume the users to be more around their twenties or thirties who are progressive and early adopters of these kinds of products. They are more acquainted with product interactions and all the varieties of UI’s and gestures. Therefore, while considering the restrictions related to advancing the user interaction can be minimal. Let us learn more about the concepts before concluding.
Designing for wearables: Principles to follow
Screen size can be an opportunity or constraint while designing any app that the device is offering. Also, at face value, the limited screen size bequeaths less room for user intercommunication. The app developers have a wide range of options with various wearables hitting the market and stressing on some excruciating prospects.
1. Designs should focus on the users
An app must operate with at least minimum user interaction. Keep this into consideration and try to execute the activation point of your app with an individual gesture that includes a swipe, touch, or rather a voice command. Your app will only be loved and accepted when the users feel it is convenient to navigate through the app and use it according to their needs. Also, using the mode of interaction, the users should be able to use the app effortlessly in other tasks as well.
The key to creating an excellent user interface design is to combine empathy with technology. Such action will deliver a great user experience and a preeminent position over your competition. As a designer, one needs to focus on a visual hierarchy. Acknowledge the minute details of the watch, and be specific about your wants and the way you want to display the view to your targeted users.
Concentrating on the more delicate details provides the hierarchy with real visual impact at the end. One should have a clear idea about the differences existing between a wearable and a phone. The latter offers many screens which benefit the user with effective scrolling, but with a wearable, one can not implement the same design policy. Therefore, it is significant for the person given the responsibility to evaluate the needs of the users concerned to achieve their goals.
With Crank Software, it is more convenient to execute user experience design for wearables now. Watching manufacturers rush to launch poor-quality embedded touchscreens on their smart and connected devices provided the founders with the idea to launch the Crank Software. The concept of Storyboard and Crank Software makes it effortless for the designers to design without hindrances and concomitantly provides the developers with auto-generated code meaning. Hence, now they have more time to focus on business logic and optimizations.
2. Keeping things simple
When it comes to wearables, the well-known KISS Principle is more relevant. While designing a wearable UX, it is better to dodge the temptation to put as many specialties and information as possible in the wearable as it disrupts the experience. It is baseless to include more developments and features other than the needs of the users because it affects the user experience.
To make the information more glanceable, one should focus on single-use cases and embrace them by formulating an efficient flow to help users complete tasks quickly. Also, interactions should be easy; people must get the opportunity to see and do one thing at a time for a clearer vision.
3. Provide more privacy
Wearable devices display personal information such as private conversations and health data in plain sight; hence, designers should implement more privacy in wearable UI. It is crucial to be conscious as to which way the device is facing and present content based on these criteria. Allowing notifications should be based on criteria such as vibrating first, followed by displaying.
4. Interaction with other devices is a must
While designing a wearable, be thoughtful, recognize the needs of the devices that are in isolation. Integrate a wearable with the existing devices, and make proper utilization of resources. Such as monitoring blood pressure and a health companion app built for a smartwatch will be of great use in the collection of data and, the smartphone can show the review and analysis of the data collected.
5. Design a Clear Minimalistic Interface
The most significant part of designing a wearable is to provide the users with ways to read what you display on the screen; they should easily interact while involved in other activities as well. Hence, when it comes to smartwatches and wearables, minimalist design is an ideal catch.
From color to typography, everything should be quite simple in a wearable UI. The contrast makes elements easily visible and readable. Therefore, the contrast should be sharp, and try and test your UI in real world-environments.
The typography should be uncomplicated and involve the most fascinating yet coherent options. Thirdly, there should be enough space between elements. However, providing too much space between elements might not make room for other content. Thus, one needs to find a proper balance that will make it functional and create ways for a wearable UI to be more glanceable.
You can design a wearable keeping these principles in mind. However, the whole concept of designing, whether it is for desktop, mobile, or wearables, is to allow a user to achieve the desired activity more smoothly and speedily.
