It’s interesting how unique concept designs from some years ago inspired a number of products we commonly use these days. That’s how important conceptual products are. You design something and even if it doesn’t become a reality, some group will pick up the idea and bring it into production.
Most conceptual product designs inspire and spark the imagination. The Ehsaas from several years ago gave the world hope for the blind. The watch was meant for the blind as it uses the Braille writing system. As a widely used tactile writing system, Braille can be used on anything or anywhere a blind person can access. It’s used for learning and communication with only the use of raised dots.
Designer: Nikhil Kapoor
Feeling those dots will tell you what is being communicated. Designer Nikhil Kapoor once imagined a watch for the blind. It was called the Ehsaas and was designed with a Braille system. Braille numbers are on the watch face area so the blind can feel the time.
This is no ordinary watch. It uses an Electronic Active Polymer on the watch face. The watch strap is elastic which makes it comfortable and easy to wear. Keeping track of time may be easier now compared to several years ago when the Ehsaas was designed but using Braille is still a significant moment for visually impaired people.
Time can be told but it can’t be touched nor felt. But with a Braille watch, it can be felt. The simple watch makes reading the time easy. A blind person can just slide on and feel the dots and tell time.
The Braille code is fabricated by an Electronic Active Polymers. It tells the time including the hour and minute. The two codes are separated by a line. At the bottom part is a small part that reminds the wearer of the right way of wearing.
The watch is stored in special packaging. Inside the box, you will see the instructions on how to use the concept watch in braille. With this wearable device, the “feel of the time is what matters”. The feel of the watch doesn’t really count now but it still needs to accomplish its purpose.
