Sean/G
Vans Bev Skate Shoe
Category: Footwear
Date: 08.2020
Location: Pasadena, California
ArtCenter College of Design
“Vans Bev” skate shoe concept introduces a "cutting-off" heel design, aimed at empowering novice young skaters to overcome their initial fears as they begin their skating journey. 

*Student project/not affiliated with Vans.


00/IntroThis initiation of the project is a collaborative effort. Our focus lies in crafting stories that unveil unexpected insights and drive innovation. Together, we engaged in research and the development of narratives, after which we divided the work to produce individual deliverables.

Our assigned targets were: Vans, Skateboarding, and Gen Alpha.


We collaborated on research and identified six keywords for our brand, Vans, our sport, skateboarding, and our user, Gen Alpha, to illustrate the story's imagery.

Vans: Bomb / Bounce
Stakeboarding: Catch / Contact
Gen Alphs: Linked / Conqueror


01/ResearchTo generate concepts, instead of doing traditional ideation doodles, we asked some "what if" questions (about 50) in the ideation phase. After a few rounds of brainstorming, I focused on this question:

"what if we can hear the concrete?"


I also made some mock-ups to exploring ideas.


02/Concept Development"what if we can hear the concrete?"

Synesthesia, with its focus on sensory and physical impact, offers a fascinating lens through which to view skateboarding. For skaters, the act of skating is more than just movement; it's a way to intimately sense and interact with their environment, particularly the terrain. Given our discussion on concrete surfaces, exploring various skating locales became essential. 

After conducting on-site research, my attention was drawn to pool skating—a style of skateboarding practiced in empty backyard swimming pools or skate parks designed with pool-like structures. This setting proved to be the ideal backdrop to explore my six keywords, offering a unique blend of physical and sensory challenges.


To align with the vivid six-word imagery we devised, my goal was to amplify this sensation within the pool skating context — emphasizing the tactile connection between the board and the skater. 

For novice young skaters, the initial drop into the pool presents a significant challenge, dominated by fear. Thus, the essence of mastering pool skating is not just about the ride itself but also about learning the art of falling gracefully.


03/ConceptDuring my observations of skaters dropping into the pool, I noted a common technique: the predominant use of the forefoot for landings. This method offers better control and, because of less perpendicular impact typical in pool skating, reduces the need to engage the full foot upon landing. 

This observation led me to a significant insight: if skaters naturally favor their forefoot for better maneuverability and impact reduction (just like track runners), how could we innovate by incorporating a running spike shape into the skate shoe design? This adaptation could potentially enhance their control and performance, tailored specifically to the unique demands of pool skating.


Leveraging the insight that skaters often use their forefoot for better control and reduced impact during pool skating, I realized the shoe design could benefit from the reduced heel, making it lighter and, more crucially, encouraging a forward-leaning posture both physically and mentally. This forward motion is exactly what young skaters need to confidently drop into a pool, mimicking the poised stance of a runner.

To embody this concept in a skate shoe, I delved into the two primary construction methods used in skate footwear: vulcanized construction and cupsole construction. Vulcanized construction involves wrapping rubber tape around the shoe's upper and outsole before baking, resulting in a design that's both more flexible and lighter. Conversely, cupsole construction, featuring a one-piece rubber outsole, offers enhanced durability and support. 

So I decided to use valcanized construction, and combined it with the forefoot idea.




04/CADThe CAD drawing reveals a slip-on shoe design that incorporates the iconic Vans stripe to seamlessly connect the lateral and medial sides. 

A wave-inspired flap on the upper adds a unique aesthetic element. The main design feature is a beveled sole, tailored to elevate the skating experience.






05/Rendering





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