Samsung aspires to create design innovation that enhances our lives and society for a better future. The ultimate goal of design is to make people’s lives more enjoyable and meaningful by creating new value and culture. Samsung envisions design that delivers new “meaning” and “delight” to people; that contributes to society by creating sustainable and innovative value. As we increasingly see technology objects also becoming fashion objects, Samsung aims to create a wearable device that upgrades people’s lifestyle in an innovative and stylish way.

The mission was to create a wearable device that is both fashionable and customizable; a device that reflects innovation, but still feels familiar and socially acceptable. Samsung designers sought to optimize the right interactions to improve users’ daily lives, and showcase Samsung’s cutting-edge curved display and bended battery technology in a stylish form. Additionally, it was important for the design to support an open accessory ecosystem of customizable and personalized straps from outside vendors for a greater range of style and self-expression.

Since Gear Fit was a completely new product and form factor, significant foundational research was necessary to define the basic parameters and value proposition. Surveys and usability tests helped identify potential applications and key benefits. Designers created low-resolution Post-it note prototypes to determine the optimal dimensions of a wrist-worn display. Ethnographic research and analysis of technology and sociocultural trends provided further insight and direction regarding user needs. Scenario simulations based on 3D human factors data helped to refine the smallest details. Through this iterative process with countless prototypes, our designers delivered an innovative new wearable device that surpassed all expectations.

Gear Fit is a wearable device that showcases an elegant merging of fashion and function, allowing users to live a smart digital life effortlessly. A seamless mobile experience at a glance is delivered via ergonomic design that fits comfortably on the wrist. Health-related features allow users to stay fit, while life-logging features help users keep track to their mobile experience. Changeable straps and customizable colors and graphics enable users to personalize their fashion statements, creating a new individualized experience. Through Gear Fit’s design innovation, Samsung continues to help people lead active, enthusiastic lives.

More than simply showing off Samsung’s most advanced technology and capabilities, our designers were challenged to create a meaningful and useful design that delivered optimized, real-life benefits to users. It was most important to satisfy both fashion and functional requirements simultaneously, so designers spent more time initially identifying core values and anticipated needs. Ergonomics was also heavily considered in the design process, researching various human factors for gender, age, ethnicity, etc. From this, designers determined the optimal display size and form for the content, which had to be balanced with the optimal angle of curve and length of the strap.