I designed the Modern Clock to be used as an Adobe AIR app for those interested in something other than what was available for the OSX dashboard or Windows.
The AIR framework allows for consistency across all platforms and doesn’t require much effort to install or use. This was programmed by me using Actionscript 3.0 and then converted for app use.
The ModernClock app was born of my interest in all of the modernist clock screensavers that exist for Max OSX. Some examples are the Colour Clock and the Pixel Breaker clock. As an alternative, I wanted to create a clock that could be running while still at my desk that I enjoyed glancing at.
My original thought was to create a lightweight swf file that could continuously run via Flash Player on a desktop computer. The Adobe AIR platform was just beginning to make an impact at this time, and given the easy crossover from Actionscript 3.0 to AIR, I made it into a full-blown app.
I wanted something graphically simple, but I liked the idea of moving parts as well. While not as intricate as cogs in a rotary timepiece or even as the second hand on a watch, the simple animation of numbers would be enough for me. The app is a self-contained package–app and icon.
The clock itself is made up of two colors, white and red. Aside from being a harmonious combination of color, the red will always catch attention from the user, no matter how many open computer programs it's buried under.
The logo, which doubles as the icon, was set in a very open typeface in order to get the effect of a true circle with the "C". The forms in the center of the "C" is a depiction of a clock movement as the time strikes 3pm. The icon is a very high-contrast black and white look for purposes of simplicity and differentiation among other apps.
A downloadable version of the app will be ready shortly.
