Since I myself am not very familiar with how heels would work and what one would need to take into consideration when designing them, I decided to just sketch out a few possible designs of different running shoes that I like myself and that I think would go quite well in relation to my design. I took into consideration a few different style of shoe like basketball, running shoes and not the cliche Converse or Vans.
over here I also tried photo-manipulation using Sharpie markers. I did this to get a clue on what shoe I would like to design and If what I had in mind would work out. I'm also giving photo-manipulation a go because if I don't go for the design-on-shoe approach I think I'll aim towards making a poster.
Since my initial idea was to transfer a painting onto a shoe or get inspiration from a piece of art, I thought I'd do some research on other ideas similar to mine that people have already done, not neccessarily on shoes but also on clothes.
Converse are the shoes that used a similar approach as to what I have in mind. Above are a few examples. These four designs were clearly influenced by pop art and were initially what got me into thinking about the whole picture-on-shoe design. some designs like that of the I LOVE motif are iconic. Not only would you find it on a shoe, but nowadays with the whole new craze, you will find it on jumpers t-shirt, hoodies, backpacks and more. It all started off with the '' I <3 NY'' but it is now found almost everywhere saying I love almost anything, from several different countries to several different products. The bottom left corner black converse has what seems to be blue splattered paint all over it. That design even though unusual and probably unattractive to some due to its 'dirty' look, is inspired by the way _______ used to paint. The top one on the left is also influenced by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. other examples of different art on clothes:
Incredible Things, 2012, Converse Pop Art Collection. [online] Available at: <http://www.incrediblethings.com/style-and-gear/converse-pop-art-collection/> [Accessed 16 December 2012]
cwhatch, 2007, I Love New York. [online] Available at: <http://www.ilovenewyork.cwhatch.com/> [Accessed 13 December 2012]
Wikipedia, 2012, Pop art. [online. Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_art> [Accessed 16 December 2012]
Before selecting what I wanted to do for my concept design, i did a bit more research on several different things and apart from the first 5 blog posts I added abit more to get an idea on transformation when it came to art film and design. I was going through a few things on the internet and trying to look up information on shoe design. There were quite a few interesting creations and half of me was confused on what my final piece would actually consist of. I think I'm headed more into the poster design than the actual on shoe itself design. As a student going into graphics I think it would be more down my line and something I would actually enjoy doing. Alas, looking at different shoes wouldn't hurt to get an idea. One simple one which I found quite cool was the 'Custom Designed Google Shoe'. It's probably because I always like that one kind of accessory which really sticks out, be it a shoe, a t shirt, a watch. Even though it does actually have the word ''google'' written on it, it comes into mind straight away that it could be related to google because of the colours used. It is exactly the same as the search engine typography. It's designed with primary colours, just as is the logo of google. They're bright and they all stick out making the shoe and its design very noticable Be it a gold watch or a lime green belt, pick something that people will remember and associate with you. As Coco Chanel once said ''“Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” Lesson learnt - just don't over do it.
furthering my research I also found some other cool designs of search engines on shoes:
In the above two shoes, it is very obvious from what source their design came from and is showing off to the public because they made it obvious by adding the logo of the site on the ankle part of the shoe. They're both designed using colours which stick out next to eachother making them catch the eye straight away. Their design is unique and catchy, described as being ''a geek must- have accessory''.
Above is another shoe I stumbled across which has similar features to the ones mentioned before. They are based on the design of De Stijl. They are a pair of Nike's which the concept design comes from the elements of Piet Mondrian's painting. (see below)
Composition with Yellow, Blue, and Red, 1921, Tate Gallery. London.
I am also posting a link I found which has a few other designs such a wii, ps3 etc. http://adventured.com/good-business/social-media/google-shoes-twitter-shoes-halo-shoes/ (adventured.com, 2012) ZDNet, 2012, Google sneakers: The pair of shoes every SEO and search engine geek should have!. [online] Available at: <http://www.zdnet.com/blog/seo/google-sneakers-the-pair-of-shoes-every-seo-and-search-engine-geek-should-have/2280> [Accessed 16 December 2012] Roundedoff, 2012, Brass Monki Custom Nikes. [online] Available at: <http://roundedoff.com/2011/02/16/brass-monki-custom-nikes-pictures/google-shoe-nikes/> [Accessed 16 December 2012]
contemporary practice, 2010, Rietveld Schroder House. [online] Available at: <http://contemporarypractice.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/rietveld-schroder-house/> [Accessed 16 December 2012]
For my concept design, I must admit I was quite lost on what to do. I had practically no Idea on what to go by. In my previous posts, nothing was particularly linked to eachother, they were pretty much completely different designs/models/artworks etc. However, analysing them all together, together with work showed to us by our tutors in class, I managed to put a few thoughts together. my concept idea is that of designing a shoe. I'm still uncertain whether I want it to be a poster, an actual shoe which I will transfer a design to or so on. It's still very much open to interpretation.
A poster which I found interesting is the DVD cover of a film which I just saw recently and a fellow classmate of mine mentioned when I was working on another assignment in class. ''The Devil Wears Prada'' was one of the films I'd always watch over again and actually not mind it, even though it's quite the chick flick and I'd rather sit down with a bag of popcorn and a good action film. The design of the shoe is so simple yet so effective. The whole title of the movie is perfectly depicted into the shoe shown. The shoe, which is Prada, and the Devils fork made into the heel of the shoe.
This shoe also came to mind after I had tried photo-manipulating a Christian Louboutin Shoe photo I took myself. I really like the shoe because of the way the poster is made. It is the biggest object in the poster and it's in red so it definitely is the first time one's eyes are drawn to. The background is white making the red shoe stick out even more. The writing is also much smaller in comparison to the shoe so it doesn't take of emphasis from it. I also like the fact that it is kept simple and there isn't too much going on. It is very much 'to the point'.
The film 'The Four Feathers', (Director Shekhar Kapur), released in 2002, is a film about a British soldier of a young age, Harry Faversham, played by Heath Ledger. The first version was released in 1915 as a black and white silent film. The story is set around the 1800's. The opening scene consists of the officers playing a game of rugby.The weather is rather dull and its raining. Harry is trying to impress a young lady which he fancies, Ethne, played by Kate Hudson. Being a coward, Harry resigns his post to go fight the enemy and brings shame on himself. He was lacking ambition. Due to his cowardliness his wife and friends give him 4 weathers, the symbol of cowardice, his betrayal. Harry changes his mind and goes undercover to help his friends out and win back their trust and his honour. The story flows through the different scenes showing transformation from one act to another. Principal photography started in Morocco, where one can see the jaw dropping views which provided great backdrop for the film. Many of the shots depict sea and sand dunes. Sand storms were a challenge, even the man-made ones, which were done using fans the size of aeroplane propellers. The Atmosphere of the desert was made thanks to the help of director of photography Robert Richardson. "My main technique for filming the desert scenes was to shoot into the sun," says Richardson. "By back-lighting the shot, I was able to produce a sharp contrast between the characters and the landscape." (Robert Richardson, 2002). The techniques used by Richardson give that feeling of being on edge and total reality . He was well able to add in and put energy into his shots in the ways he functions his camera. According to Henry Camilleri, Military co-ordinator, "The way that soldiers marched in Victorian days was totally different from today's style, The real soldiers had to unlearn everything they had previously learned in the military and learn the way things were done in the 1800s'' (Henry Camilleri, 2002)
Various elements of transoformation are seen when it comes to the character of Harry. There is change from the beginning of the film to the end. In the beginning scenes he is portrayed as a coward and then a hero. There is progress in his character where he becomes more mature and pulls himself together, not being a coward anymore and trying get himself back on track. As part of his undercover plan to go help out his friends he also disguises himself from a officer to an Arab .
When it came to soundtracks used you could tell how they were used to create and leave and effect on the scene and the viewer. The change of soundtracks changes between the scenes to create different moods relevant to what it happening in that scene. There is also transformation of clothing. It is clear that the producer took note and did his research when it came it to costumes. We notice the detail and the characteristics of the real clothes back in those days. They are very authentic in look. We also see this in the ball gowns and clothes warn by the rebels. Through the costumes we were able to see mythical power of the story. There is also transformation in clothing when we see the change from Harry being an officer to an Arab. There was also great use when it came to lighting and one could say that it definately helped with the way the producer wanted to portray the scene. Lighting and sound make a great difference when it comes to filming a scene as it sets the mood, the feelings that should be felt and helps create the atmosphere. Another similar example would be the Godfather. In the scenes which are held inside the house, they are dark depicting the shady and bad things that go on inside the building. Whereas, outside is light and everyone is cheerful oblivious of what is going on behind the walls of the house. There is a clear example of transformation and conflict.
Wikipedia, 2012, The Four Feathers (2002 Film). [online]Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Feathers_(2002_film)> [Accessed 15 December 2012]
Youtube, 2008, 26 December, The Four Feathers. [online] Available at:<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ_MrNPOzG4> [Acessed 15 December 2012]
IMDb,2002, The Four Feathers. [online] Available at: <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240510/> [Accessed 15 December 2012]
Yutaka Sone - Little Manhattan (2011) - 2.5 tons of marble carved into a precise model of Manhattan
This is a map of Manhattan transformed into a marble stone model. It is 3ft. tall, and 9ft. long. Sone put this model on hold after 9/11 because he wanted Manhattan to get back on its feet, back to running as usual before he continued it. He started working on it again in 2006 making a wood and foam model, basing it on photos he took from a helicopter himself and from images on google earth. He also visited sites himself to get a feel of how it looked in real life and its topography. He then, in 2007, started carving it into the marble.
There is also an element of harmony when it comes to this model. The top of the model is a precise carving of manhattan, but the bottom of it, as the artist stated himself, isn't and he was free to design it as he wished. the bottom is smooth and looks somewhat like a skirt. It looks like it has flow. ''I wanted the bottom to be more poetic and elegant, like a white feminine dress.” (Yutaka Sone, 2011, Issue of New York) It is mostly done to scale however things such as the empire state building are made a bit bigger so that they were able to carve in their detail and as a symbol of their importance. The material chosen is also of importance. He first made the model in wood and foam but the finished model is done in white marbel. It's white colour gives it a sort of harmonious look and feel. It is smooth in texture, white light colour so it immediately grabs the viewer's attention and makes him more curious. It makes one move closer to observe it and look at the little details it entails. Im also using this to help me with my concept design. I always find pictures of buildings interesting no matter on what they're put, be it a poster, a bag, a book cover and so on. So I thought.. why not a shoe? I really like the idea that this model is made in white marble. It gives it a harmonious look and makes it look simple and clean even though so complex and detailed. I always preferred a white pair of tennis shoes to anything coloured, because they look fresh and stick out more. It also gives u a cleaner look with a good finish. I was thinking about transferring a picture of a place such as Manhattan or New york onto a pair of shoes. It will be a unique design, elaborate yet sophisticated. I was thinking of a design that would look similar to my blog background picture itself. I won't only be restricted to using a picture but maybe I could use a map itself as the design for the shoe.
Yutaka Sone, 2011, White City: Manhattan in a Marble Dress. New York Media LLC [online] Available at: <http://nymag.com/arts/art/features/yutaka-sone-2011-10/> [Accessed 16 December 2012] Tumblr, 2012, Little Manhattan Yutaka Sone. [online] [Accessed 16 December 2012]
over here I also tried photo-manipulation using Sharpie markers. I did this to get a clue on what shoe I would like to design and If what I had in mind would work out. I'm also giving photo-manipulation a go because if I don't go for the design-on-shoe approach I think I'll aim towards making a poster.
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