"Tick Tock Goes the Watch"
Watch Project
My job was to re-create a watch design. It was not allowed to be a digital watch such as an apple watch or something without gears and hands. I found a Fortis wrist watch that I really liked and wanted to re-create.
The watch model was a Fortis Watch Aviatis Areomaster Steel Mens sports wrist watch. And I loved the visual appearance and design of the watch which ultimately led me to my decision to use this watch as my reference and recreate it.
I am very pleased with its turnout and despite the project being very challenging and hard to manage, I was able to recreate the watch by using the tools provided to guide me through my process. I learned how to use gradients, create and use opacity layers and create and apply textures to my designs.
Getting Started
I started by drawing out different designs and aspects of the watch I wanted to do. I originally sketched out different watches and what I would want the watches to look like according to that knowledge but once I found my reference photo, I began sketching out the different aspects of the watch I wanted to design.
My initial reference photo, after discussion with peers, appeared to be a vector redesign of the watch I wanted to do, so mid-project I ended up having to go out and find a more realistic and reliable reference photo.
Beginning Designs
I quickly hopped into illustrator after getting my sketching done, eager to get started and get to work on the project. I started by crating the base face of the watch. I planned to get the face and main part of the watch done and then move onto the bands that held the face in place. I began by starting with a simple black circle and then added a gradient on that circle to create a surface that looked like it held a reflection. After creating the main face of the watch, I then created the metal surrounding the face, working on the reflections and getting those colors and gradients right. I then went forth and added the hooks that would keep the band in place and connect it with the face of the watch.
I reached out to some of my peers at this point, asking for input and feedback on how to better improve my designs and make them more realistic. I got some good feedback, including suggestions on finishing the base of the whole watch before getting too detailed on the face of the watch. I took this input and decided to produce simple shapes and build the band with the shape tool builder. I ended up scrapping and redoing that all together due to the inaccuracy and disappointment with the shape of the band and how it showed and worked against the base and main face of the watch.
Onward with Designs!
It was at this point that I realized that my reference photo was more vector graphic than it was realistic and went on the hunt around the internet for a proper reference photo with proper shading and coloring. I noticed that compared to the original reference photo some of the highlights were more yellow than the pure white I was using before. I also made note to not use a pure white or black because there's no such thing as a pure white or black in the world.
I used my new reference to help me in the final stages of working on my watch face. I used my new reference and its colors to help me know how to ad shadows to the numbers hidden behind the hands on the watch or how to best make the colors fit and work together to create a better feel of realism to the image. I added in the watch logo and the "AUTOMATIC" to the bottom of the watch face, trying my best to match the fonts in the original image.
Having a more realistic and reliable reference provided a lot of good feedback for me personally. I was able to adjust and accurately use the new reference photo to fix and alter my shadings and highlights on the bands and watch and also see better texture of the band and its leather feel and properties.
Which leads me to my final place of work, the bands themselves. I had to use a lot of video references to learn how to best use opacity and transparency in my favor. I learned how to make the band look more realistic and use my knowledge on gradients, textures, and transparency all in one place. I spent a good chunk of time working just on the bands themselves nad then focusing on the little ropes or ties you can see in the bands as well.
Conclusion
I am very pleased with the turnout of this project. I feel like the time and dedication I spent on this project was worth it and in the end I was really impressed by my skills and how much I had developed from my last project. I started by doubting my abilities and doubting that I could ever create something as realistic as this watch, and finished with a sigh of relief and a mental cheer at my successes. I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn but as I continue to work and develop my skills, I will continue to grow and become better than I ever believed possible.
