Iron Limited Edition and Custom Design · 2022
Holzwolf Watch
- A' Design Award 2022 Iron Winner in Limited Edition and Custom Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Holzwolf
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 24,028
- Verification code E693C142EF · Verify this award
About Holzwolf Watch
Holzwolf is a men's wristwatch made with natural wood from sustainable forestry and recycled materials such as steel. Its differential is the visual based on the landscapes of Europe showing its essence, aggressiveness and elegance. The steel blue semicircle of the face reflects the beautiful and deep European lakes surrounded by stylish pines. Project developed exclusively for people who like to be in constant contact with nature. This concept aims to inspire a new generation of traditional handcrafted products and ecologically sustainable design.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Holzwolf is a men's wristwatch made of natural wood from sustainable forestry and organic farming. Its singulatity is a look based on European landscapes and its two types of optional wristbands. The steel blue semicircle of the face reflects by the beautiful and deep European lakes surrounded by stylish pine trees.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- (Product properties when it is physical): Width: 45 mm x Thickness: 10 mm
Casing Material: 100% made of organic natural wood. 100% recycled stainless steel.
Hands: Brushed steel.
Knurled Crown and buttons: Aluminum.
Analog display.
Watch dial: half wood, half steel blue, pine trees in black steel.
Natural wood or synthetic leather strap.
Sapphire coated mineral glass.
Quartz movement.
Resistant against water splashes. - Tags
- watch, wristwatch, holzwolf, time, clock, wood, nature, wolf
- Production Technology
- The design of this project was created with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator software.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge of this project was to leave the natural elements of the product in balance and symmetry to guarantee this Look won't nee too heavy or too complex.
- Project Duration
- This project concept started in April 2021 and ended in June in Gifhorn, Germany.
- Operation Flow
- The Holzwolf wooden Watch is intended for those who like to be in constant contact with nature. The user has the option of changing the watch straps in the sporty version in synthetic leather or the more casual version in wood in two colors and brushed steel.
- Research
- The research was based on the types of wooden wristwatches for men already on the market and focused on creating a look reminiscent of the natural regions of Europe. The Holzwolf brand was created exclusively for this project. Studies were done with different textures and various types of wood, as well as distinct types of leather and metals according to adequate colors. The direct interaction of this product and it's materials. Their impact to our environment was also researched.
- Inspiration
- The handcrafted work with wood and the landscapes of Europe were the great inspiration to create a wooden wristwatch concept with a different look, adding the essence, aggressiveness and elegance of the European forest to the project.
- Image Credits
- Image #4: Original Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash, January 27/2021, Photo Editing: Hernani Ruhland Tralli.
Colors of Holzwolf Watch
Design Interview about Holzwolf Watch
Working with wood I was interested in buying a wooden wristwatch to represent this. I found some interesting models and ended up purchasing one. The design of Watch is already something I was interested in and the use of wood encouraged me to design my own concept. The landscapes of Europe helped me with the idea and I ended up creating a different look. The logo with the wolf was also fundamental to give this project a personality.
My main focus was really to design a wooden Watch with a different and elegant look showing European nature, like a painting board with various natural elements. And the wood texture made the design much more attractive.
I would love to see this Watch concept become physically real. While producing a Watch is not easy, it must also involve a lot of engineering behind the design. But I can work with the Holzwolf brand on other pieces or products with wood. Maybe find a company that is interested in discussing new ideas and making it real. Time will say.
The project lasted about four weeks, but the reverse part of the Watch I drew during the competition system update, about 5 or 7 days. Because it's a 2D concept I didn't have other images with different perspectives. The organizers and jury of the competition encouraged me to add new images. I am grateful to them for this opportunity to use my creativity and add improvements to the project.
As I said earlier, I work with wood and crafts, and I'm also a big Watch lover. Putting this and the European landscape together, the result was this concept that I created specifically for my internet portfolio. But I couldn't imagine ever winning a prize with him.
Currently my project is just a concept. The process to make it physical is quite difficult and involves engineering specific mechanisms for Watch. I will need to analyze and search for companies interested in the Watch idea or the Brand.
Undoubtedly the work in crafts with wood and my passion for wristwatches. I had already designed a Watch concept in my portfolio with metal textures, but I ended up discovering the wooden Watch and how an ecological approach would be more interesting for this project.
In my research for this project, I sought to learn more about the wooden wristwatch market and found a few brands that I was interested in for their designs. I analyzed the types of wood and models and created my own concept version. There are some German brands that inspired me, like Holzkern, Kerbholz and Zeitholz.
The concept I developed was aimed at the male audience who are interested in being in constant contact with nature, hiking in the forest, camping or fishing. Even in the city, your wooden wristwatch will always remind you of contact with nature. I also already have some ideas in mind to design another concept for the female audience.
I believe it is the idea of showing the European landscape, as if it were a painting of a picture. As I like to make art with painting on wood I think it was a good idea to represent this on a wristwatch. The differential is also on the back showing part of the internal mechanism and a brief message in German that reads: "Nature gives us everything we need." it's a small gesture on my part to show the importance of our life with the natural.
The name "Holzwolf" I wrote in German because the main idea was to create a product concept for the German domestic market and it means "Wood Wolf". And let's face it, it's a strong animal archetype, don't you think? The wolf is also an animal typical of the cold regions of Europe. A curiosity is that I am currently living about 16 kilometers from the German city Wolfsburg where the renowned Volkswagen automotive industry is located.
As Graphic Design I always use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator software. I honestly can't live without Photoshop, I love playing with images, whether creating or editing.
Undoubtedly the look with the European landscape, as I mentioned before, I thought of the hands of the Watch giving a more aggressive look, the Logo that gives a greater personality to the project and the back I think it was very interesting. When I develop a project I like to think about every detail.
I developed this project by myself. But generally I always want to know the opinion of someone who is not from the Design area to have a different perspective, with a different idea for possible improvements.
Well, without a good computer and design software, I wouldn't be able to produce any graphic project. So at this point technology was key.
Yes of course, it's a major part of starting a project. I researched the types of wooden wristwatches on the market and their brands. The type of materials and wood used in the product. Test with digital textures of wood, leather and metal. Test colors and sketches to have an initial base of what the project will look like.
The biggest challenge is always organizing the pieces, diagramming the look so as not to leave each item loose or lost. Color testing with the blue metal made me apprehensive because the color is the one that stands out the most on the Watch, but the blue button helped to balance it out. Another challenge was creating the back of the Watch in short time to add to the competition because I didn't have enough images in the presentation. In the end it all worked out.
Good question. In fact, at the end of October 2021 I received an email from the A' Design Award to participate in the Competition, however in November I already had a trip scheduled to Brazil to meet my niece. I returned to Germany in December and started the process to apply. The competition system is very complex and with a lot of information, so it was a very busy period. But I am grateful to have always had guidance from the organizers of the A' Design Award, they helped me a lot and clarified many questions. It was an opportunity that came up and I decided to invest in this idea. Before that, I didn't know this organization existed, they found me through my portfolio on 'Behance.net'.
I think that with each new project we always improve and learn new things and we have a better sense of our potential for Design. This competition was a test to see my professional level and in the sense of creating a well-crafted Design project. It's one thing for you to create projects to add to your portfolio and another for you to participate in a great international competition such as the A'Design Award with several professionals on the Jury evaluating you. Seriously, having won this extremely competitive competition with so many good professionals around the world made me very happy. It was a huge challenge. I believe that I grew a lot as a Designer and as a professional through this project and this competition. I can only be grateful for this opportunity.