HOW TO DESIGN AN UNIQUE RUNNING TOOLING?
Here, I am explaining one of my favorite FILA designs. It’s a running shoe concept of an unique running tooling. I proposed this concept to FILA China team as part of a series of 3 performance shoe concepts, a tennis shoe, a cross training shoe and a running shoe.
Challenge: In this fast paced world of ours. I realize consumers still have demands in running shoes these days and probably will always do. In order to design a new running silhouette amongst mountains of running styles in the market, an unique direction is needed. For me the direction is “speed”. I want to design a running shoe that can push you to run fast.
Ideation sketches explaining the relationship between surface contact traction and speed.
Purpose & Goal: Light weight, barefoot, cushioning, low profile are all important facts of modern running shoes. I want to push further by reducing running shoe bottom and ground surface contact to increase speed. I believe a running shoe that has minimal direct ground surface contact can benefit runner with increased speed.
Identifying heel support by exploring shapes.
Identifying Problem: Picking up a pair of running shoes you see a flat piece of rubber, PU or eva sole. This sole piece has at least 50% of ground surface direct contact, which is to provide traction and stability. On the other hand, the greater the traction The slower you go. What if there is a shoe that has minimal direct ground surface contact so that traction is minimal? Hence, increasing speed.
Exploring various outsole rubber treads.
Target Consumer: This person is extremely active and enjoys competitions. Running is an important part of his/her life. He/she just wants to be better and faster. This shoe is trying to help this individual be a little bit faster.
A diagram sketch explaining the relationship between pill system and stable plate.
A top view sketch showing a hidden lace system with a wider lace opening vamp.
This is a streamlined profile design. An knitted upper focused on chevron shape. I want the bottom tooling being the most interesting piece of this shoe.
Below are detailed section drawings showing the construction of this design. Each pill system is attached to footbed plate with a curve shaped bridge that sits deep within pills. This creates a locking effect which each pill can perform freely yet securely.
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