Partner
Experimental project
Role
Icons from 2050 is a design exploration focused on creating a futuristic icon system for wearable devices like the Apple Watch. The goal was to strike a balance between strong brand expression and functional UX, building icons that are both visually distinctive and highly usable on small screens.
This project explores how branding principles like color, shape, and consistency can be applied to interface elements on small, glanceable screens like the Apple Watch, bridging utility and brand expression in a compact form.
Led the concept, design, and execution of the icon system and Apple Watch UI. Created all visuals, motion prototypes, and branding elements from scratch.
Built a cohesive visual language using bold gradients and simplified forms to ensure clarity and brand consistency across small-screen interfaces.
Merged branding, UI, and motion design to explore how icons can be both functional and emotionally resonant in future wearable experiences.
The Problem
Current wearable interfaces often face two issues,
- Lack of visual clarity at small sizes
- Generic visual language that fails to reflect brand character
Icons are either overly minimal, sacrificing meaning, or overly detailed, losing clarity. At the same time, few icon systems are treated as branded assets, missing the opportunity to reinforce a product's identity.
This project set out to solve both problems, designing a clear, consistent, and flexible icon system that also expresses a distinct visual brand.
The system was built on three key principles.
Clarity at Small Sizes
Icons had to remain legible down to 40px. Every detail was tested at that scale, ensuring no visual noise or ambiguity.
Consistency
All icons followed a shared system, stroke width, corner radius, spacing, creating predictability and improving navigation.
Emotional Impact
Gradients and color choices were used strategically to evoke energy, warmth, and forward thinking, while still supporting accessibility.
UX Design Principles
Illusion.
These icons use a futuristic colour scheme to create an illusion of complexity. They're deceptively simple on the surface, yet hint at a deeper, more complex world beneath.
Precision.
Sharp and clear, these icons are designed with precision in mind. Developed using a grid-based system, each line is drawn to align perfectly with the underlying grid. This ensures clean edges, consistent spacing, and optimal scalability.
Revolution.
These icons are designed to stand out and show that we're ready for the future, challenging old ways and welcoming new possibilities.
Brand Direction
The visual identity is built on bold, expressive gradients and simplified forms. Rather than using color just for function, I used it as a key part of the system's brand language.
Core Palette: Deep purples, pinks, and reds
Gradient Logic: Top to bottom flow, soft transitions for a polished, high-tech feel
Shape Language: Rounded geometry and consistent stroke weight for a clean and modern aesthetic
These choices helped create a recognizable and scalable look that feels future-ready but grounded in usability.
Lead Visual & Brand Designer
The visual identity is built on bold, expressive gradients and simplified forms. Rather than using color just for function, I used it as a key part of the system's brand language.
- Core Palette: Deep purples, pinks, and reds
- Gradient Logic: Top to bottom flow, soft transitions for a polished, high-tech feel
- Shape Language: Rounded geometry and consistent stroke weight for a clean and modern aesthetic
These choices helped create a recognizable and scalable look that feels future-ready but grounded in usability.
Brand Direction
To understand the context and constraints of wearable UI design, I focused on,
- Display limitations and icon readability under 40px
- Common gestures and how icons support navigation
- Icon styles in existing systems (watchOS, Wear OS, One UI Watch)
- Missed branding opportunities in current icon libraries
This helped me identify design opportunities, scalable shape systems, consistent branding elements, and motion that supports interaction.
Research & Insights
Grid System.
This design system was used to keep all icons consistent and clear at any size. This method helps to align every detail, and to maintain their integrity and function in different contexts.
A strong brand system can live inside even the smallest UI elements
- Color and motion, when used purposefully, enhance both branding and usability
- Testing with motion is crucial, it catches what static mocks don’t
- Building for wearables requires extreme visual discipline, but it opens space for fresh thinking
What
I Learned
I tested the icons in various conditions, low light, motion, short exposure, and gathered feedback from testers.
- 95% recognizability when shown for 1 second
- Higher contrast scores vs. standard icons
- Feedback keywords, “futuristic,” “clean,” “easy to spot,” “energizing”