Industrial Design
Title: Digital Locket
Size: (73.66cm x 48.26cm) x 2 Medium: Printed Posters from Photopea Completion: December 2023 ExhibitionMy Digital Locket Necklace is a product designed based around my theme of relationships and the memories that sprout from those relationships. I wanted to design something that portrays relationships, but also design something that captures the intentions of memories. My inspiration from Aura Frames, Locket Widget, Average Locket Necklace as well as found photos to display my final concept drawings, have all influence the appearance and technicalities of how the Digital Locket it would work,
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Inspiration
My biggest Inspiration for my digital locket necklace was a company called Aura Frames, which makes digital photo frames. Aura Frames’ overall look for their digital frames is identical to most average frame designs. The design is a simple rectangular frame; their size options include 9in, 9.7in, 10.1in, and 15in; these frame sizes come in both landscape or portrait style. Along with the size of the frames, they also offer one 2k display, and the rest are HD displays. The difference between 2k and HD is in resolution; 2k would have a better-quality image display than HD. They also offer the frames in a variety of neutral colors. The array of colors they offer inspired me to give the option to pick the type of metal the person would like the necklace to be. (Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold). An additional feature these frames have is a built-in speaker; all of the frames have this feature, and the frameworks in terms of technology are simple. Since it is a technology, it must be powered by a power source. It is important to ensure the user has WIFI because the only way for the digital frame to work is to connect it to WIFI. The frame is powered by a cord that needs to be plugged into the wall. The frame’s user would download an app, and then through the app, they can upload photos and videos to their frame. The frame can display one image or video or a slideshow of them. (An example of one of Aura Frames digital frame option see picture above). Another feature Aura Frames includes is that other people can send pictures to another person’s frame. This sharing feature is a significant part of what Aura Frames purpose with the frames. Their purpose with these frames is to be gifted to others or someone themselves and to remind the user of memories with their loved ones. The emphasis of their purpose inspired me because my theme is relationships, including memories with loved ones, connected very well to relationships among people. For example, my Mom gifted my Grandma a frame from this company, and my Mom was then able to send my Grandma pictures of our family so she could stay a little updated on our lives. After researching frames, I focused my following research on necklaces. I first looked into the average necklace sizes; for women, the average necklace size is 18 inches, and for men, the average is 20 inches. But just because the average for men and women are different, doesn’t limit the user to only that size. Users can take into consideration when picking a necklace size, height, neck size, and how they will style it. Referring back to necklace sizing for women, the average range of necklace sizes is 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches. Men, however, usually start at 20 inches, 22 inches, 24 inches, 30 inches, and 36 inches. The 30 and 36-inch necklaces are styled in a way that is layered over each other, unlike the different sizes. After researching necklace size, I wanted to search for an average size locket. The average overall locket size is up to a 1inch x 1 inch. The size can also vary based on the shape of the locket. The shape of lockets I was most interested in was the Heart shape because hearts symbolize love, and I wanted to connect not only the idea of a digital locket but a more visual aspect of the shape of a heart to link back to my theme of relationships. My final bit of research led me to an app called Locket Widget, where people download an app, and a widget shows on their home screen. People can send photos to their friends and they will show up in that displayed widget. I liked the idea of fully digital "locket" and wanted to incorporate the digital aspect of it.
Planning
When I started my initial sketching ideas, I knew I wanted to make one of my potential final locket designs the standard heart shape. After researching the average necklace sizes, I decided to stick with the 18-inch necklace chain for my idea sketches. I drew out a rough 18-inch necklace chain to scale to visualize the actual size better. I also wanted the necklace chain to be 16 inches with a 2-inch (highlighted blue) extender to adjust the size to 18 inches. I also drew a rough true-to-scale heart shape for the potential size of the locket. I also considered how locket necklaces have borders, as do the digital frames.
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I used that same concept for the inside of the locket. If it were to drop, adding borders would better protect the display screen on the inside. Referring back to the necklace chain, I wanted to keep the chains simple so it wouldn’t distract the focus from the locket. I decided to go with cable chain and box chain because those were the simplest chain options. I then drew out how the locket would function (open and close); a hinge would connect the two sides of the heart and hold them together when opening and closing. I took inspiration from Aura Frames to figure out how displaying digital photos would work. First, the user would connect the necklace to their phone through the app and then upload pictures from their camera roll to the app. Once the user has uploaded the picture(s), the user will then select a photo they would want displayed in the locket. The user could then preview how the photo would look in the locket. If they are happy with it, they will click a button to upload the photo to the locket. Then, when they open the locket, the photo will be displayed. One thing to note is that I would not want the necklace to run off WIFI like the Aura frames need to; I would like a Bluetooth connection to upload the photos so that no WIFI would be required. Another Idea from the Aura frames is how I would run the necklace since it needs to be powered. I thought it would use a wireless charging pad. I wanted the wireless charging pad because it is sleek and doesn’t require adding a hole for a charging cord, which would take up a lot of space from within the locket. Other locket sketches have the same concept idea as the heart one expects with different styles. One style would work the same as the heart but instead in the shape of a rectangle, and the Oval one would then be see-through like class, and a monochromatic picture in grayscale would show up of the photo uploaded.
One of my biggest help when planning my design was presenting my digital locket concept to my peers on a white , and getting suggestions from my peers on things to consider when designing the digital locket (second white board I wrote suggestions). I got suggestions for offering different metal materials for the locket to be made out of. Because the initial metal I intended to create was gold, they told me that only some people want the same metal type in a necklace. Along with gold, I decided to add an option for silver and rose gold. Another suggestion they had, which inspired me and got me thinking, was that the digital locket could come in the form of a necklace, a bracelet, and a brooch/pin. Through this idea, my peers and I came up with the idea that the digital locket could detach from the form of accessory it’s in, for example, taking the locket off the necklace and moving it to a bracelet chain or a pin for a broach. I was also suggested that this necklace could be used for medical purposes with the technology already needed to make it run. While I agree that it is a good feature to benefit someone’s health in an elegant design, I felt that the idea of this locket becoming a medical device was stranded away from my theme of relationships.
While I was telling my peers about the concept of my digital locket, one of them started drawing what they imagined my product would look like and work. The visual helped me because it gave me an insight into what I was explaining well enough and what I needed to add or put more emphasis on.
Process
Before I started designing the actual posters, I had to make the correct dimensions. I went to Photopea, and when creating the posters, I made sure to change the unit measurement from pixels to inches. I then adjusted the height and width to 29 inches x 19 inches. Lastly, I changed the DPI from 72 to 200 so the posters would appear sharper and cleaner. The smaller the DPI, the less resolution, meaning the less quality the image will display.
I decided to make the poster title first because I wanted to get some visuals down on the poster to get me started. I decided to title the poster “Digital Locket Necklace” because I felt like using a more unique name would confuse the viewers. To put the text down, I went to the left toolbar, selected the T for text, and typed out my title. I decided to make the text bigger so it was easier to see. I clicked the T on the right side to adjust the font size to 250, picked a font style, Cardo, and finally bolded the title so it was emphasized. I decided to keep the color of the font black so it would distract from the rest of the visuals and information that would follow. Once I had the title, I decided to type up the rest of the category names so I could start thinking of ideas for layouts. I used the same font style and boldness and only changed the font size to 150. I used the same font for writing the information and made the text 85; I used this same style for both posters.
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Once all the writing was done, I played around with the layouts. I first worked on poster 1, then poster 2. I first did everything on poster 1 because designing the layout of poster 2 would be easier as it would need to look visually similar to poster 1.
So, I adjusted the text to where it took up enough space, was visually balanced, and generally looked visually appealing. When I was finally satisfied with the layout, I first hid all of the text (clicking the eye button in the layers bar) except for the title and un-hid the section I was working on. I started with my Problem statement. I moved the title to the middle, and then, using the shapes tool on the left sidebar box, on the layers sidebar, I moved the blue shape layer under the headings layer so it would be behind the text rather than in front. I made a light blue rectangular. I did this to emphasize that section and contrast the title’s look. It also took up a lot of space. I liked how this looked, so I stuck with this style for the rest of the section headings; it also made it clear of the separations of text. |
I then added pictures to the posters so they were on there, and it would remind me to adjust my writing text around the photos. I uploaded all my photos to both posters, either doing file/open or file/open-and-place, then selecting my photos. I already knew how much space I wanted the pictures of my drawings to take up in poster 1, and this helped me better space out the rest of the writing. I readjusted the photos’ sizing to fit the poster’s spacing. I went to edit/transform/scale and adjusted the size using the notches on the image. When I finished adjusting the length, I moved them around to see how they would balance out with the writing and the space of the poster. And if needed I would rotate the images using edit/transform/rotate For some of the photos I had on my posters, I had to cut the background either out or erase a certain part of the image to give a better visual of how the digital locket would work. On my concept drawings, I used the magic eraser button and clicked the center of the scaled-up locket drawing I did. I did this to layer another image behind the drawing so it would show through. I uploaded an image for the necklace display and cropped it, then used the refined edge tool to cut out the shape of the display. I did that to add a rough scaled-to-size pendant on the display. Additionally, for some of the images, I felt I needed to adjust the color to balance out with the look of the poster. I went to image/adjustments/hue-saturation or image/adjustments/contrast-brightness to do this. I did this because some of the images were unclear or too dull in color.
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Experimentation
One of the first problems I encountered was needing help getting my title in the middle. After messing around with some tools, I couldn’t figure out why. I clicked the P button for paragraphs, and I wasn’t able to adjust the size of my paragraph from coming from the right to coming from the middle so it was centered. This made finding the center on the page easier because the text box with my title was not equally spaced from the center.
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When thinking about ways to separate my different sections, I knew I wanted something with a contrasting color and shape. Putting a box enclosing the heading titles would be a good way to contrast the poster and bring attention to it. At first I had square boxes, but wasn't happy with the layout because it didn't leave enough room for pictures, and it limited the space for text. I decided to try out a rectangular box instead, I was very happy with the look. However, when I made my first rectangular box and started creating a second box, I thought the website would show me some labels or indicators that it was the same size as the previous box I made. It didn’t, so at first, I thought I would have to do the tedious task and try my best to make all the rectangular boxes the same size. However, I realized that I could copy the shapes layer, right-click, and duplicate the layer. Doing this gave me the same size rectangular box I could then use for a different heading title. This led to the realization that I could do this for all my other layers if I needed to get a duplicate of that same exact layer.
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Another issue I ran into was my ability to crop and cut certain images. This became a problem because I wanted to reuse some of my pictures more than once, and initially, the only way I knew how to use the same section from one image was to upload that same image multiple times. This would take too much time, and attention to detail was tedious when cutting out certain aspects of that image. I then realized that if I clicked the select button and held it down on the left side toolbar, an option called rectangle selected popped up. I tried it out, set a starting point on one of my images, dragged it to my desired size, clicked to refine the edge, and made further adjustments if needed. Once I was satisfied with the duplicates, I clicked OK and made the new duplicate. This made cutting certain aspects of images a lot easier and quicker if needed.
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I had a problem for most of the process: adjusting and aligning objects to the same section while the rulers on the sides were helpful. It wasn’t big enough and gave enough detail as to where exactly the layer I was on was going on the poster because I realized it depends on where your mouse was placed when you selected the object layer. That was roughly where the white mark on the ruler would be when aligning your layer somewhere. This became a problem because I didn’t click every layer in the same place. I found this difficult. Then I realized if I clicked on a layer with the movement tool, a distance button was at the top. I wasn’t sure what that did, but when I clicked the white box next to it, it gave me a few red lines with numbers coordinating with those lines and where they fell on the ruler. This was a beneficial discovery because now I could properly space out my layers so the balance of the overall poster wouldn’t be off. Once I discovered this tool, I rarely turned it off for the rest of the process.
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Critique
Neither my digital lockets nor Aura Frames, Locket Widget, or an average Locket Necklace was constructed upon art movements. They were created for a targeted audience and or personal usage. The Aura Frames made their frames to find the audience and buyers of sentimental people who want to keep hold of and re-watch old memories to evoke sentimental feelings. Locket Widget is more of an entertainment app, while similar to Aura frames, they both can send photos to another person using the app. The locket widget is completely digital-based; no accessory nor decor piece is attached to the app; the idea of the locket photo is meant to stay on a section of the user’s home screen. Now, an average Locket necklace was invented way back around the 16th century, and similar to my purpose, it was used to keep photos or even physical items that reminded them of their loved ones. They were also often gifted.
The difference between my digital locket and Aurea Frames is that their product is a frame, a decor piece, and my Digital locket is an accessory. While the product of Aura Frames and my digital locket may differ, the concept of how it works and its purpose is very similar. Both of our products are to capture and be able to look and remember those cherished memories with the users’ loved ones. How both products work is similar; both apps upload photos, which are then uploaded to the product. Another difference is that Aura Frames only work when connected to WIFI and need to be plugged in, while with my digital necklace, I want to click through Bluetooth and only need to be charged when the user is not wearing it on a charging pad. The Locket widget is very different from my product in terms of the overall product. Locket Widget is just an app; while my product also has an app, the app’s purpose is to connect to the necklace. A similarity is that they both capture images of loved ones, and the photos can be replaced as often.
Finally, an average locket necklace has the same concept as my digital locket, as mentioned previously, to hold pictures of our loved ones as a reminder of them. However, the biggest difference is that with the average locket necklace, the user needs to manually put in a new physical picture, which can take a long time. With my digital locket, all the user needs to do is upload the image, and then it’s there. In terms of character and look, my digital locket will have a similar look and character style, like the locket necklace, a simple yet elegant look. In my final piece, I do not present color with my final concept drawings because, similar to other locket necklaces and the Aura Frames, I wanted a variety of colors offered, such as gold, rose gold, and silver. I wanted the viewer to imagine what color they would want when looking at the locket that was already designed in form and shape with the added detailed texture to the front. In terms of my overall poster, I tried to keep things simple for the viewer’s eye. I wanted the attention to be on the information and the pictures presented. That’s why I kept a simple color palette of black, white, and blue. I also chose blue because I feel blue can be a calming color and not a bright distraction color, and I didn’t want the blue to distract the viewer from the text. In terms of unity, I believe that my posters fit together well; I feel the composition of both posters fit each other’s style and layout.
The difference between my digital locket and Aurea Frames is that their product is a frame, a decor piece, and my Digital locket is an accessory. While the product of Aura Frames and my digital locket may differ, the concept of how it works and its purpose is very similar. Both of our products are to capture and be able to look and remember those cherished memories with the users’ loved ones. How both products work is similar; both apps upload photos, which are then uploaded to the product. Another difference is that Aura Frames only work when connected to WIFI and need to be plugged in, while with my digital necklace, I want to click through Bluetooth and only need to be charged when the user is not wearing it on a charging pad. The Locket widget is very different from my product in terms of the overall product. Locket Widget is just an app; while my product also has an app, the app’s purpose is to connect to the necklace. A similarity is that they both capture images of loved ones, and the photos can be replaced as often.
Finally, an average locket necklace has the same concept as my digital locket, as mentioned previously, to hold pictures of our loved ones as a reminder of them. However, the biggest difference is that with the average locket necklace, the user needs to manually put in a new physical picture, which can take a long time. With my digital locket, all the user needs to do is upload the image, and then it’s there. In terms of character and look, my digital locket will have a similar look and character style, like the locket necklace, a simple yet elegant look. In my final piece, I do not present color with my final concept drawings because, similar to other locket necklaces and the Aura Frames, I wanted a variety of colors offered, such as gold, rose gold, and silver. I wanted the viewer to imagine what color they would want when looking at the locket that was already designed in form and shape with the added detailed texture to the front. In terms of my overall poster, I tried to keep things simple for the viewer’s eye. I wanted the attention to be on the information and the pictures presented. That’s why I kept a simple color palette of black, white, and blue. I also chose blue because I feel blue can be a calming color and not a bright distraction color, and I didn’t want the blue to distract the viewer from the text. In terms of unity, I believe that my posters fit together well; I feel the composition of both posters fit each other’s style and layout.
Reflection
I have further acquired my skill in using digital-based art. I still have a lot to learn, but I appreciate every piece I make using digital-based platforms because it exposes me to new techniques and tools I never thought of using or were a thing. Through this project, I have developed as an artist when thinking about how certain products work. Before this project, I only learned how locket necklaces work or why they were made or worn. The project put me into perspective how industrial and product designers think when designing and creating new products. A lot of thought and research comes up with the initial idea of the product, then the many sketches of the final product. Understand and explain how each element works and its importance to the overall design—being able to differentiate if a product component is for the looks and appearance of its capabilities. My original inspiration is designing something that connects back to my theme of relationships and how it can be shown in a product. I then realized that relationships create memories, and lockets can preserve those memories. I feel this locket connects very well to my theme. My favorite part of the project was coming up with different ideation sketches for my digital locket and being able to draw out and explain through sketches how certain things work and why they are there. My least favorite part was figuring out what was needed on the posters. I wasn’t sure about what was needed and what was extra. I wasn’t sure about how many images I should put. But I was happy with the final product. The project doesn’t tie in previously learned experiences or techniques other than using a digital-based platform. But as mentioned above, it changed how product designers think. It tied in with how to think differently and outside the box. I hope others view this work as an average new piece of technology that can be worn and a product that expresses my values and ideas on relationships.
ACT
- My researched inspiration inspired the technological aspects of my digital locket.
- Each product or company I researched about all had the same purpose to hold pictures of and for people
- People create products based on feelings, and how they feel towards other people, and how they interact with another.
- My central theme around my research and inspiration was the idea of relationships and how that can be seen in a physical product
- I concluded that marketing and visual communication is a key element when selling products
Bibliography
“Aura Frames | the Best Digital Picture Frame.” Auraframes.com, auraframes.com/#how-it-works.
“Hands Collection, Vector Illustration, Vector Mobile Device Outline, Hands Holding Phone Stock Vector.” Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com/images/hands-collection-vector-illustration-vector-mobile-device-outline-hands-holding-phone/166562096. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“How to Print Locket Photos: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide - MemoryCherish.” Memorycherish.com, 4 Aug. 2022, memorycherish.com/how-to-print-locket-photo/#:~:text=Lockets%20are%20typically%20tiny%2C%20with. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“Necklace Sizes Chart: Find the Right Necklace Length.” Brilliant Earth, 5 July 2022, www.brilliantearth.com/news/necklace-length/ . Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
“Premium Vector | Hand Drawn Vector Illustration of Mannequin Jewelry Necklace Display Stand.” Freepik, www.freepik.com/premium-vector/hand-drawn-vector-illustration-mannequin-jewelry-necklace-display-stand_25734084.htm. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“You Won’t Believe the Locket Jewelry History.” Wonther, wonther.com/en-us/blogs/news/you-won-t-believe-the-locket-jewelry-history. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“Hands Collection, Vector Illustration, Vector Mobile Device Outline, Hands Holding Phone Stock Vector.” Adobe Stock, stock.adobe.com/images/hands-collection-vector-illustration-vector-mobile-device-outline-hands-holding-phone/166562096. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“How to Print Locket Photos: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide - MemoryCherish.” Memorycherish.com, 4 Aug. 2022, memorycherish.com/how-to-print-locket-photo/#:~:text=Lockets%20are%20typically%20tiny%2C%20with. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“Necklace Sizes Chart: Find the Right Necklace Length.” Brilliant Earth, 5 July 2022, www.brilliantearth.com/news/necklace-length/ . Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
“Premium Vector | Hand Drawn Vector Illustration of Mannequin Jewelry Necklace Display Stand.” Freepik, www.freepik.com/premium-vector/hand-drawn-vector-illustration-mannequin-jewelry-necklace-display-stand_25734084.htm. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
“You Won’t Believe the Locket Jewelry History.” Wonther, wonther.com/en-us/blogs/news/you-won-t-believe-the-locket-jewelry-history. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.