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SNEAKEROLOGY - Footwear Design Journal

Nikki Tran
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footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
SNEAKEROLOGY
This is a collection of product sketches, designs and prototypes from projects I participated in. It's an overview of the whole process, from brainstorming ideas to finalizing the designs.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Footwear design is a complicated path. It requires understanding from both 2D and 3D aspects, aesthetically and technically. In order to release a footwear product, sometimes the design team has to go through a lot of stages of research and design.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
DESIGN CONCEPTS
In this design journal, I will cover some design concepts (from ideations to technical drawings). Most of them were concepts under the developing stage, some were chosen to be made in prototypes and product revisions.

I had the chance to work with mostly Vulcanized sneakers, sometimes Cold-Cement. The workflow usually focused on design patterns with different colorways and visualizing them.
TROPICAL VIBES
This collection feature a bright, summer-inspired range of sneakers. Colorful, youthful and vibrant, this becomes a perfect holiday essential footwear idea.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
VINTAS CORDUROY
This collection features the use of corduroy fabric as the main material. Different color options inspired from vintage color tones and retro aesthetics.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
VULCANIZATION PATTAS
This special collection took inspiration from the very basic process of Vulcanization - the core method of producing original Vulcanized sneakers.

The printed pattern on the main fabric was a digitallized version of the chemical structure of sulphur and rubber molecules bonding and creating cross-links, to achieve improved elasticity, resilience, tensile strength, viscosity, hardness and weather resistance.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
MILITARY PATCHWORK
This collection focused on the idea of "layered material" - hence the term "Patchwork". To make it more special, a distinctive pixelated camo pattern was created, along with unique patches and fabric pieces.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
CORDUROY LICHEN
This collection brought human closer to nature, as it is inspired by the color and texture of lichen living organisms, mostly found in tropical forests. The design idea was to use earthly and green color combinations to create harmony between 5 different models.

The special insole of the sneakers were made from environmental-friendly material, mimicking the texture of wood and trees.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
RESEARCH
Research is another important aspect of Footwear Design. In order to improve the user experience with the product, many technical aspects have to always be improving. Researching and finding new methods of developing the product is always a priority.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Insole research was conducted to study the Insole market and manufacturers, and to find a way to improve the quality of the insole. Redesign stage was crucial to develope the product. 
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Last research was conducted to create a more organized and easy-to-understand knowledge regarding the very "blueprint" part of sneakers production. Different types of last were studied and analyzed. With a clearer understanding of the production process, the designer can make better decisions in regards of the shape of the shoes.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Pattern research was carried out on a regular basis. The goal was to make the best combination of fabric pieces on a main shape. For this researching stage, thumbnail sketches were made, then send to factory to make the prototypes. It would then be reviewed and modified through revisions.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
MODELING
3D modeling is essential to the design process. For complicated and new ideas, it is more easy to visualize them in 3D before deciding which design direction to take.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Experimental visualization to create concept and mood for product. Trying new and innovative materials to produce outstanding looks.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Vulcanized basic Low-top 3D contruction. Precise in shape for product visualization.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
Outsole 3D construction for production. Precise in dimension and shape.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Making prototypes, making revisions, changing information in between the design department and the manufacturer is one of the final stages of designing the product.

Many prototypes were produced and tested in order to create the best solution for the design demand. Sometimes, adjustments had to be made, according to the available material and technology at the time.
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
footwear design illustrations industrial design product design product sketches shoes shoes sketches sneaker Sneaker Design vulcanized
The journey does not end here. Hoping to get the chance to do more footwear designs in the future.
Thank you for viewing my project!
Please visit my Portfolio Website for more.
SNEAKEROLOGY - Footwear Design Journal
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Nikki Tran's profile

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Nikki Tran's profile
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

SNEAKEROLOGY - Footwear Design Journal

A collection of sketches and designs on the field of Sneaker Design. Most of them were focused on developing different concepts for Vulcanized Sn Read More

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