Process: Self-ManufactureInteractionDesignTestSell

Craft Slipper

A User’s Relation to Maker

In most manufacturing, maker and user are strangers. However, when I make an object for someone I love, I get a unique feeling that bonds me to them. How might I, as a designer, let a user feel this feeling? Can I create a moment of connection between two people?

Sport as Adventure
≈2016—2021

the adrenaline of the moment
new places
an end to itself

Small Batch Shoes

There have been a number of projects around custom shoes. One of the most interesting ones being Pixel Shoe by Isreaili designer Tidhar Zagagi.

One of the things Tidhar was not able to adress in his project was the act of creation benifiting the worker.

Interaction

District Vision and Satisfy Running are examples of brands who utilize this meditative value of sport. The majority of their innovation is cultural.

Smith’s strong history of technical innovation primes the brand to better serve people in this headspace.

Initial Tests

Clog

House Slipper

digital sketches

First Model

Packaging

Just a bit before I had planned to present the project to the ID team at Cinco, I met found a person who participated in this sport. I presented my work so far and dove in to a conversation about his needs and style. Is a shield really the correct?

Fishing Aesthetic

Jack prioritized an aesthetic that leaned classic angler, with the addition of running performance features.

Polarization

Polarization is a must for any fishing sunglass. We also talked about the lens being non reflective and a little more see through from the outside.

Lightweight

Jack needed these to be just light enough that they run easy.

Protection

Jack expressed that guides have made him wear glasses on rivers as eye protection from flying lures.

Stays On

Jack’s biggest problem with running glasses in general is fit. They always slide down his nose.

Storage

Jack is always needs way to store his glasses off of his face as well as keep them tight while running. A small croakie would be nice for him.

Montana Ivy

I helped Jack identify what he meant by a “fishing aesthetic”.

Montana Ivy style that is cotton, cork, and catching fish. It is A River Runs Through It. It is from a time when materials were worked by hand with a high level of skill.

Craft Slipper

An experince between two individuals where one can feel the power of making for another. Small batch house slipper product.

Sold at Curio 2023.