Wacky Pack 互動鞋履 by Ye Shen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 鞋履設計 Competition Category.

銀鞋履· 2023

Wacky Pack 互動鞋履

by Ye Shen

Client: Ye Shen

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 鞋履 Category

517,196
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 互動鞋履

Wacky Pack 係一個探索全新鞋履閉合方式嘅鞋款系列。每對鞋都以另類嘅緊固系統取代傳統鞋帶,例如鞋套、金屬按扣或全長拉鏈。呢啲閉合設計改變咗每對鞋嘅穿著方式,令一對鞋可以呈現多種造型。整個系列採用唔同厚度嘅植鞣皮革同訂製金屬配件。紙樣裁片全部人手裁剪、縫製同人手楦製。經過大量原型測試,不斷改良比例、上底工藝同閉合設計。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Wacky Pack 互動鞋履是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Wacky Pack 互動鞋履將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Wacky Pack 互動鞋履是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

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.