Designer Stories: Paul Tenzero

This month, we’re excited to spotlight a creator whose work has become a staple across the smartwatch community: Paul Tenzero. With more than 166k followers and a vast catalog of distinctive watch faces, Paul has built a reputation for designs that blend creativity with technical finesse. His work ranges from bold, experimental layouts to sleek, functional classics. Each piece showcasing a unique perspective and an unmistakable signature style.

In this interview, we dive into Paul’s creative process, the inspirations that fuel his prolific output, and the philosophy behind his innovative approach to watch face design. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of his work or discovering his catalog for the first time, Paul’s story offers insight into what drives one of the platform’s most imaginative designers.

Tell us about yourself!

I’m a graphic designer with many years of professional experience, specializing in visual presentation design — a niche I found interesting early on and have continued to develop extensively. My design education began in the 90s, when I created my first pieces without a computer, and since then I’ve witnessed enormous technological leaps, from paper to today’s AI tools. I’m constantly researching and testing new things that never cease to amaze me.

I’m very fortunate to genuinely enjoy my work; designing and creating makes me feel like a child at play. I live in Villa Devoto, a quiet residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love film, music, art, and chess. My favorite sport is golf, although I don’t play it as much as I’d like. I also enjoy cycling and walking for pleasure and to disconnect from the screen.

What sparked your interest in watch face design, and how did you discover Facer?

I’ve always been passionate about watches; I think they’re extraordinary machines that measure something as magical as time. I discovered Facer through Nicolás Castro (Bergen on Facer), a great watch face designer I saw on Instagram sharing his experience on various platforms, including Facer. I thought: this is definitely for me!

I chose Facer from the available options because of its great interface and how easily it lets you create and publish designs. But it was also the most challenging because at first there was no guarantee of any financial return. Still, I gave it my all, and I was finally selected as a Partner at the end of 2023, which was a huge joy. I contacted Nicolás personally to express my gratitude and proposed a collaborative collection.

Which of your watch face designs (or collections) are you most proud of and why?

Without a doubt, my favorite design is BEBOT — a robot with a voice that’s there for you every day. At one point in the process it almost took on a life of its own and even developed its own personality, because I caught myself thinking things like, “That’s not something Bebot would say.” That’s magical and fascinating to me.

I’ve researched sound effects and AI-generated voices extensively. Many of these designs are in the SOUND UP! collection, which I created together with GRR, another designer who loves pushing boundaries. I hope that sounds will soon be available on Wear OS 6 or later, since they aren’t possible at the moment.

I’m also proud of EGO Midnight and Barber Shop because they explore different approaches to displaying time.

I’m amazed at what I’ve been able to achieve with the help of AI in designs like WONDERLAND or CONQUER 1492 — a level of illustration I couldn’t have reached using traditional design software alone.

And I love the CUBIC series for the strength it achieves through pure design and simplicity.

What’s your design process like? Any specific tools or habits?

My creative process isn’t always the same. I usually look for a starting point, which could be a font, an image, or a visual code from a particular world. Once I have that starting point, sometimes I instantly see the end of the path and know exactly what to do. Other times — probably most of the time — I simply start moving forward like when you cross a stream stepping on rocks: you go from one to the next without a clear idea of the final route, choosing whichever seems closest, safest, or maybe more challenging depending on your mood… until you feel you’ve made it.

Technically, I use programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, and I’m in constant dialogue with AI assistants throughout the complementary process: from help with naming and descriptions to assistance with prompts for generating promotional images. But the promotional materials always end with my own touch in Photoshop; that final adjustment is something I can’t fully explain to an AI and has to do with how the design feels.

What inspires your watch face designs?

I believe in constant exploration, which is why I don’t always look in the same places. Ideas can come from reality — like a coffee cup I captured in Espresso, or an urban wall like in RIPT — as well as from digital media, where I like to explore without a specific destination.

How do you stay inspired when you hit a creative block?

I seek new stimuli: listening to new music, walking down different streets, or searching for new visual references online. Our minds conserve energy by defaulting to familiar, successful patterns. The problem is that efficiency often contradicts innovation. By changing external stimuli, we encourage our minds to do the same and explore alternative paths.

I try new styles for the same reason I travel: to enrich myself through the experience of exploring new territories.

Are there any designers in the community you love following or find especially inspiring?

Of course. I admire GRR for their constant pursuit of innovation. MikeOB for developing a strong, successful identity and style. I love how BA|Bruno Amadori uses color palettes. Almarinov for the power of their designs. And Stero for their attention to detail.

In fact, all the designers I mentioned are detail-oriented, and that’s a valuable quality today because it’s so easy to get lost in the whirlwind of productivity. Users deserve the best experience.

What’s next for you as a designer? Any exciting future projects?

I intend to continue exploring the possibilities of AI to enrich and elevate both watch face design and the creation of promotional images and videos, lowering the barriers between what I imagine and what I can actually achieve. And I’ll keep creating with the same passion that brought me here.

Anything else you would like to add?

I believe that all the products we use — clothing, accessories, perfume, glasses, watches, and watch faces — are opportunities for self-expression. We choose one garment or watch face over another to see ourselves, or to be seen, in a certain way, and that affects how we feel.

Having the privilege of being selected as a Partner at Facer, I feel a responsibility to provide the best possible user experience — not only technically (that the design works and informs) but from every angle. That’s why I believe responding to users quickly and with real attention is key — and why compelling promotional material, from images to text and videos, can elevate the experience even further.

Some of my promo materials have more storytelling than others, but always with the aim of adding layers of connection that help users in their search for sensations and create the strongest, most lasting bond a person can have with a brand: a connection built through emotion.

Thank you to Paul Tenzero for sharing his time and insight with us. His dedication to craft and his passion for experimentation continue to inspire both new and experienced designers. We also want to thank our readers for joining us for this month’s Designer Stories. If you would like to explore more of Paul’s work, be sure to check out his full catalog of watch faces and experience the creativity that has earned him such a loyal following.