Inspired by pleats, this watch is meant to remind people to seek a more comfortable and elegant lifestyle.
*Student project not affiliated with Issey Miyake*
01
Research
People are stressful these days.
21% of U.S. adults experienced a mental health condition in 2020
26% of American adults anticipated experiencing more stress at the start of 2023, up from 20% last year.
94% of employees report that they feel stressed at work.
Under high pressure, people are starting to care about time, down to the second, more than ever before.
"Time make my daily life stressful. I constantly checking the clock, anxious about falling behind. For me, time is just a taskmaster I can't seem to please, no matter how efficiently I try to manage my day."
--by a college student who are struggling on study
How might we de-emphasize the overly stressful concept of time?
Issey Miyake, a renowned fashion brand celebrated for its innovative and artistic approach to clothing, has introduced a sub-brand called "Pleats Please." "Pleats Please" by Issey Miyake features pleated clothing that's both comfortable and stylish. The pleats, made from high-quality polyester, are designed for flexibility, moving with you and offering easy wear. This line highlights how fashion can enhance everyday comfort and freedom.
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Pleats.
Pleats symbolize tranquility, trading stress for calm. In a world obsessed with precision, perhaps what we need is something more akin to a soft cloth, a reminder of the "pleats" that evoke a sense of relaxation.
02
Concept
Fabric x Watch
Concept
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"In my concept, I blend the flexibility of fabric with the solidity of a watch. The pleats on the watch face softly indicate time, offering a reminder that life can be lived at a gentler, more relaxed pace."
How to reflect a soft visual sense on a watch? This is what I am trying to explore. The texture of the fabric can be reproduced by creating a pleated look with slight bumps on flat surfaces.
Soft nature
This exploration focuses on which types of pleats are more soothing and convey a sense of softness, while at the same time being able to express specific time periods to a certain extent. I explored pleats according to their undulation, wavelength, and number.
Test
03
Outcome
Unlike traditional watches, I have replaced the hands with two disks with pleats. These pleats indicate not a precise moment but a gentle range of time. This design is a poetic reminder that life isn't about strict schedules and rigid precision, but about appreciating the fluidity of moments.
"Pleats"
Visible Motor
The simplicity of the watch hides a complex and subtle mechanism.
For the colors I chose mainly black and white, with the main purpose of reflecting a slow and calm atmosphere. I chose ceramic, rubber and stainless steel to ensure its sturdiness and at the same time to reflect the overall fashionable and noble style of the watch.
CMF
Glass shell
Ceramic "Pleats" Hand
Steel Case
Motor
Rubber Strap
Crown
Relax
We need "Pleats"
"In our hurried world, let's embrace a fabric's softness, softening time's sharp edges into a harmonious blur. This gentler rhythm invites us into a peaceful existence, easing away life's relentless pace."
