*Student project/not affiliated with Vans.
Our assigned targets were: Vans, Skateboarding, and Gen Alpha.
Vans: Bomb / Bounce
Stakeboarding: Catch / Contact
Gen Alphs: Linked / Conqueror
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.