"SEEK BEYOND"
Audemars Piguet Hot Air Balloon
Branding • Research • Adobe Photoshop) • Solidworks • Keyshot
Project Brief:
To purpose a new futuristic collection category for Audemars Piguet.
ABOUT AUDEMARS PIGUET
Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet is a luxury Swiss watch brand who crafts timepieces that combine innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless aesthetics.
ICONIC DESIGN
-
Iconic octagonal watch face shape
-
Bold experiments, symmetry, enduring philosophy
-
Luxurious complexity
-
Refined finishes
-
Modern lifestyle
AP'S FUTURE
Leisure Facilities —— Expands luxury beyond timepieces into lifestyle, hospitality, and emotional experiences.
AP House
AP Musée Atelier
AP Hotel
The Hot Air Balloon concept matches AP's
Free-spirited Creativity & Unbridled Exploration
Luxury
Standard
Low Comfort Level
High Comfort Level
POSITIONING MATRIX
The current hot air balloon brands in the market tend to have low comfort level hot air balloon designs, which creates an excellent opportunity for Audemars Piguet to design a High Comfort Level hot air balloon.
The AP Hot Air Balloon reimagines how a luxury brand can rise above products to craft an immersive journey in the sky — where transparent, comfortable seating creates a cozy and emotional experience that elevates the joy of flight.
DESIGN DIRECTIONS
Detail | Elegant Geometric Patterns
Surface | Delicate Curves
Form | Futuristic Minimalism
AP HOT AIR BALLOON COLLECTION
Gondola
Burners
Envelope
GONDOLA
FRAME
Minimal but robust.
Four primary supports seamlessly extend from top to bottom.
SCREWS
The frames are connected together by the hexagonal screws, which draw inspiration from the screws on the AP watch face.
( hover on the circle to see details )
.png)
WINDOWS AND DOOR
Windows can be opened on both sides; a simple rotation lets people enjoy fresh outdoor air.
The door can be rotated open on one side. Individuals will need to step over the lower frame.
INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
People can freely sit around the central table, serving champagne.
This seating arrangement fosters a great social atmosphere with nice visibility.
SEATING
The seating area features delicate curves that seamlessly blend with the side frames.
The metal strap follows the contours of the seating's curved edges with a subtle variation in width. Logo marks are also applied at the juncture.
( hover on the circle to see details )
TABLE
The central table allows ambient light to filter through the table's hollow sections, fostering a cozy atmosphere.
FLOORING
Elegant herringbone wood flooring adds a touch of timeless charm.
BURNERS
IGNITER
The igniter design is more modern and user-friendly, comparing to the traditional spring-shaped mechanism.
PATTERN DETAILS
There are hexagonal patterns on the middle and lower sections.
BURNER MOUNTING AREA
The upper burner mounting area features a sturdy structure for the burners.
There is a protective insulation around the burners to prevent overheating.
ENVELOPE
LOAD STRUCTURES
The load structures align with the panel seams, efficiently distributing the stress across the envelope.
LOCKS
There are geometric shape locking structures with branding positioned on the sides.
CMF
MATERIALS
Transparent Plastic
Aluminum
Cotton Fabric
Copper & Wood
COLORWAYS
MORE PROCESS
BRAND BOOK
Create a full brandbook for Audemars Piguet to study all information about the brand. Team project.
HISTORY
Hot air balloon has a rich historical legacy.
1783
1785
1836
1978
1991
First manned balloon flight.
First flight across the English Channel.
First long-distance balloon flight from London to Weilburg.
First balloon flight across the Atlantic.
Modern hot air balloon invention was funded by the US Navy.
COMPONENT STUDY
FRAME IDEATION
Basic Component Layout
Front
Top
Legend
Field of View Research
Quick Proportion Study
transparent piece
bottom frame
top frame
FRAME DEVELOPMENT
phase 1
phase 2
phase 3
phase 4
SEATING IDEATION
Shaped with delicate curves that seamlessly blend with the side frames
phase 1
phase 2
phase 3
CENTRAL TABLE IDEATION
Some iterations to find the best way to deliver the elegance.
