Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk by Ye Shen

Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk by Ye Shen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award in Silber in Schuhdesign Competition Category.

SilberSchuhwerk· 2023

Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk

by Ye Shen

Client: Ye Shen

A' Design Award in Silber Winner in Schuhwerk Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #150436

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk

Wacky Pack ist eine Schuhkollektion, die neue Wege zum Verschließen von Schuhen erkundet. Jedes Paar ersetzt herkömmliche Schnürsenkel durch ein alternatives Verschlusssystem, etwa eine Schuhhülle, Metalldruckknöpfe oder einen durchgehenden Reißverschluss. Die Verschlüsse verändern die Art, wie jeder Schuh getragen wird, und ermöglichen mehrere Looks mit einem einzigen Paar. In der gesamten Kollektion kommen pflanzlich gegerbtes Leder in verschiedenen Stärken sowie maßgefertigte Metallbeschläge zum Einsatz. Die Schnittteile wurden von Hand zugeschnitten, genäht und handgezwickt. Umfangreiches Prototyping verfeinerte die Proportionen, die Sohlenverarbeitung und die Gestaltung der Verschlüsse.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Silber

Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk ist Gewinner des A' Design Award in Silber, einer enorm prestigeträchtigen Anerkennung für erstklassige, großartige und beeindruckende Spitzendesigns. Silber-Gewinner sind ungemein brillante und äußerst kreative Werke, die die herausragende Expertise, das Talent und den Scharfsinn ihrer Designer veranschaulichen. Von Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk wird erwartet, dass es ein wunderbares Vorzeigewerk ist, das bemerkenswert professionell und zutiefst innovativ ist. Dieses mit dem A' Design Award in Silber prämierte Design ist eine höchst bemerkenswerte, bewunderte Erfindung, die den Grenzen von Kunst, Wissenschaft, Design und Technologie zugutekommt und sie voranbringt. Wacky Pack Interaktives Schuhwerk ist eine vielbeneidete Schöpfung, die Wünsche weckt, positive Gefühle vermittelt und Staunen und Verwunderung entfacht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Wacky Pack explores the concept and possibilities of footwear closure, or traditionally speaking, "how-to-tie-a-shoe". It explores unorthodox construction and fastening method, creating unique yet diverse interactions between the shoe and the user, providing a new level of improvisation and customization for your day-to-day look.
Tags: Interactive Footwear, Fashion Sneakers, Alternative Closure, Shoemaking, Leather Goods
Production Technology: Veg-tanned leather with various thickness and metal hardware were used across the pack. All non-leather soft materials were dyed to match the cream color. The hardware selection was custom-tailored to perform the unique closures.

Each design was explored and validated through intensive prototyping to finalize the proportion, soling methods, and most importantly, closure system design.

All pattern pieces were hand cut, cemented, sewn, then assembled with metal hardwares and hand lasted, finished with various soling techniques and materials, finally sanded and finished.
Research: Gen-Z and Millennials will soon be (if not already) the core consumer of fashion and luxury. With low brand loyalty and contemporary view of value, all they are after is fresh concepts that grab their attentions, concepts that become the pieces and its value.

Brands are all playing up to these desires. But with the Millennials’ quick shift of attention, very soon a pure concept won’t attract them anymore, and they would want something more, they would want to be a part of the concept.
Inspiration: What does it mean to tie a shoe? Why does it need to be tied?
If all a shoe need to do is to enclose your foot, how differently can a shoe perform this task?

Can the mundane action of "shoe-tying" turns into something more meaningful or entertaining? Can the closure dictate how a shoe works, or become a shoe itself? Can it alter the user's experience and behavior?
Project Duration: This Project was created in a 4-month period in Fall 2018, within a shoe-making course taught by Anne Marika Chasse at Rhode Island School of Design.
Operation Flow: Bao Bao: Shoe born inside a shoe cover. Wear it close, wear it open, wear it flipped.

O Snap: Turn O-snap on, snap pieces to each other. Snap None or snap all; snap some or snap one, it's up to you.

Sticky Fingers: Shoe zipped all the way around. Zip or unzip, front or back. Zip it close, hide inside; Zip it open, reveal yourself.