Courtesy of vivo
The brand’s V29 Starry Purple model uses millions of magnetic particles to create timeless designs inspired by fluid art
Art and technology have always had a complicated history. From the invention of the camera and its effect on portrait painting to the modern-day use of AI generated art, both fields continue to dispute. However, despite their tangled history, art and technology have always come together to co-create in harmony to produce remarkable results.
The story of aesthetics continues to evolve through technology. Each field influences the other, and oftentimes unlocks new facets of creativity. For tech company vivo, merging art and technology has become part of their design process. Looking beyond the conventional, vivo takes inspiration from other industries, nature and everyday life. Their goal is to create design-driven products that deliver “exciting yet unexpected design experiences to users,” explains Jing Li, Industrial Designer for vivo V series.
The recently launched vivo V29 lineup demonstrates this by introducing the Innovative 3D Magnetic Particle technique. An industry first, this design process brings the aesthetics of fluid art to smartphone design. It involves pouring millions of magnetic nanoparticles into flowing resin to generate stunning color gradients and unique patterns on the phone’s rear panel.
Fluid art leverages nature’s elements to create abstract, free-flowing designs. “As colors pour down the canvas, they morph into dynamic patterns and create unique visual reactions, which perfectly captures the elegantly stylish design that vivo wants to convey,” Li explains.
The Craftsmanship Behind vivo V29 Starry Purple
Made with nine million magnetic particles, vivo V29 Starry Purple mirrors the starry night sky, capturing the purple hues of the Milky Way. Its production requires craftsmanship, precision, and an exhaustive experimentation process. The team conducted over 1400 manual adjustments to the magnetic fields and more than 400 material formulations, leading toward the layered and natural three-dimensional effects featured on the caseback.
At the heart of their Innovative 3D Magnetic Particle technique is its magnetic nanoparticles. With varying sizes ranging from 10 to 40 microns in diameter, the particles create distinctive light and shadow effects when light refracts off them. The patterns come to life through magnetic movement and are set into place through three rounds of high-temperature baking processes, applied in 30-second intervals. This ensures that every magnetic particle is locked into the correct position, achieving optimal pattern and texture.
Evolving CMF Breakthroughs Based on Innovative User-Oriented Design
Among vivo’s lineup, the V series serves as one of their more creative and experimental lines. Known for applying unique combinations of colors, materials and techniques, the V series is used as a means for the tech company to balance aesthetics and innovation.
With earlier iterations, the V series originally brought color-changing smartphones by applying photochromic technology to their device’s back panel. Called Fluorite AG Glass, the cutting-edge material provided a rich array of color options that interact with the environment and change under UV light exposure.
The V series also debuted the 3D Light Spot Color Gradient technology alongside the release of the V27 Flowing Gold edition, creating rippling patterns that gave devices a 3D visual effect on a 2D surface.
“In our pursuit of perfection, we strive to keep up with users’ way of life and evolving needs. As vivo envisions the future, the design team will continue to create smartphone devices that bring novel, enjoyable experiences through optimal breakthrough designs,” Li says.
For more information on vivo’s V29 series and other news and product releases, visit their website.
