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Aventi Newsletter Issue 16. Watch Design and AI: A Case in Point

Aventi

For those who want more.

发布日期: 2023年12月12日

A noteworthy development in the realm of #watchmaking has recently captured attention for various reasons—an achievement in the creation and sale of a singular timepiece: the Dream Project #2, also known as G-D001, a model crafted by Casio to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its renowned G-Shock line.

This exceptional #timepiece fetched a substantial price at a recent Phillips auction in December, surpassing initial estimates that placed its value between $70,000 and $140,000 USD. Ultimately, it sold for over $400,000 USD at the hammer price, confirming the growing attention by the collectors for unique timepieces, and establishing a record for the highest price paid for a Casio G-Shock – a mightily affordable timepiece up to now.

This watch stands out in numerous aspects, particularly its genuinely unique design, a result of collaboration between a human team and AI-assisted design tools.

?A Brief History of the G-Shock

The G-Shock originated four decades ago from the ingenuity of a visionary designer, Kikuo Ibe. His inspiration arose from an incident where his treasured pocket watch, a gift from his grandfather, was destroyed after falling during a collision on s crowded street.

This prompted Ibe to conceive a robust watch that could endure 10 atmospheres of pressure, survive a 10-meter fall without damage, and possess a battery that could last 10 years.

Legend has it that Ibe's workplace at the Casio facility was considered hazardous, as the designer would routinely test prototypes by throwing them out of his third-floor office window to assess their durability. After years of meticulous perseverance, Ibe and his team achieved success, creating the inaugural G-Shock, which subsequently gained renown for its robustness and functionality. It became synonymous with durability and found utility in the most demanding and destructive applications.

The resilience of the G-Shock derives from its construction: a self-contained core ensconced within a #urethane casing, further encased in a stainless steel box and fortified with a high-strength plastic protective shell attached to the wristband. This structural design shielded its quartz core from the adverse effects of impacts.

Following the debut model, the DW-5000C, numerous iterations followed, evolving in sophistication and aesthetics. However, it was with this version, featuring an 18kt gold structure, that the G-Shock attained such remarkable value.

The G-Shock DW-5000C holds a special place in the history of wristwatches, being the pioneering model that established the G-Shock brand. Its innovative shock-resistant design challenged the conventions of traditional watchmaking and introduced a new era of robust and resilient timepieces.

The Role of AI in Design

It is needless to reiterate that the past few years have witnessed the dominance, for better or worse, of AI-based systems. Even within Casio, these systems have found utility, particularly in shaping the case structure designed to withstand substantial stresses. This characteristic has arguably drawn the interest - and critique - of watch enthusiasts, who have scrutinized its baroque and unconventional appearance.

However, does it truly make sense to employ #AI in watch design, or do we risk delegating a quintessentially creative attribute, imagination, to routines powering machines? To explore this, we posed the question to the most unexpected entity—an AI—and examined its response.

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A Commentary on AI's Points

Organizing a debate with our virtual interlocutor is challenging, yet we can elaborate on the enumerated points by our AI, starting with the watch's most distinctive feature—its appearance.

When designing any object, including a watch, human designers find it challenging to detach entirely from the stereotypes ingrained in their technical and artistic training. An AI faces no such limitations: by its nature, it lacks preconceived constraints, enabling it to approach problems in unexpected ways, exhibiting a sense of #creativity, even if its results might not be aesthetically pleasing. In this case, the outcome is undeniably striking: the G-D001 elicits strong reactions and commands attention.

The unconventional approach highlighted by the AI is unequivocally apparent in this design. The case incorporates a complex arrangement of struts supporting the central part—a design unlikely to originate from human hands. Similarly, in other functional generative design projects, AI-generated shapes often proposed solutions that initially seemed nonsensical but later proved their functionality in use. This outcome further validates this mode of product development.

The integration between the #generative tool and human feedback was pivotal in creating this model. The development team collaborated closely with the AI to achieve a final design that was not only efficient but also cohesive. Despite its unusual style, this Casio timepiece retains its coherence and character, displaying a distinctly human quality: a highly divisive attribute for onlookers.

The final point might seem somewhat uninteresting to us, as any reputable watch originates from a sufficiently accurate design: in #micromechanics, tolerances are already minimal. Nevertheless, the other arguments proposed by the AI to justify this approach are certainly focused and often agreeable.

Undoubtedly, AI serves as a potent tool for processing vast data and delivering results far quicker than a solely human team. Due to its generative capacity, an AI-based system can offer virtually endless aesthetic solutions. However, whether all these solutions are aesthetically appealing remains subjective.

The Future of AI-Design Integration

The inaugural model was undeniably orchestrated - strategically launched to reverberate across various media platforms, aligning with the Japanese manufacturer's broader intention: to generate substantial proceeds for charitable causes (an essential aspect to highlight).

Nevertheless, the undeniable truth persists: this distinctive #design marks the initial stride towards integrating de-personalized programming into a domain that, until recently, exclusively belonged to human creativity. This shift raises concerns, particularly within an evolving job landscape where progressively menial tasks are transitioning away from human labor.

This issue transcends the confines of #horology, underscoring a larger debate. The far-reaching implications of AI's initial foray into design have yet to fully manifest.

Our responsibility remains steadfast in vigilantly monitoring its progression, cognizant that the potential offered by these new tools must never outstrip our conscientious utilization of them. It's a distinction that machines, as of yet, do not possess, and perhaps, that's ultimately for the best.

As we navigate this juncture, it's imperative to reflect on the balance between technological advancement and ethical application. While AI offers unparalleled capabilities, it remains imperative that these advancements align with our values and ethical considerations. Preserving the essence of human ingenuity and oversight is paramount, ensuring that AI supplements and augments human endeavors without eclipsing our moral compass.

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