Sneaker design is one of the most active, constantly evolving areas of the design world. Here are some sneaker design principles that apply across the board.
We all had that one pair of sneakers as children that we wore ’til they were riddled with holes.
Kids might not put a lot of thought into the sneakers they wear out, but the designers behind them do!
A lot of factors go into sneaker design, and a lot of these principles can be applied to the design world at large.
Check out our list below to learn more about five of these sneaker design principles!
1. Don’t Go Overboard
Sneakers serve as the perfect model for all other design because designers have a limited canvas. Because sneakers aren’t huge, it’s important not to go overboard with the design.
Excess in any form can take a shoe from fun and exciting to gaudy. This can be said about all design—being too over-the-top can ruin a good base design.
2. Establish Your Style from the Start
A common mistake designers (and business people in general) make is not establishing their style or brand from the start. When designing shoes, make sure you’re not straying from the style you’re aiming for.
For example, these Givenchy sneakers for men all have a classy look. They don’t stray from high-end designs because their clients expect a certain style from them.
In any design field, you want to decide on a style from the start. This will help you cultivate an audience and customer base more easily, and you’ll start to recognize which products perform best within that niche style.
3. Make Comfort a Priority
For most people, shoes are a way to keep your feet protected against the outdoors. They’ve become quite the fashion statement too, but, ideally, they will always remain practical. Comfort should always be a top priority when it comes to shoe design.
This can stretch beyond sneaker design too. If you’re designing a logo, you will want to make it as pleasing to the eye as possible. Other clothes can have a funky pattern or be made with a unique material, but you should always push comfort within the design.
4. Design a Product You’re Proud to Have Sponsored
Footwear is the perfect product to get sponsored. Athletes routinely operate as sneaker sponsors. The goal is to design a product that you are proud to see your sponsor wearing.
Creating a product that’s easily sponsored should be every designer’s objective. Collaborating with big players in your industry will give you a leg up and show that your products and designs are worth showing off.
5. Durability
When someone purchases a pair of shoes, they usually hope to wear them for at least a year or two before they wear out. Ideally, they’ll last even longer.
Building a durable shoe is key to creating the perfect design. A good design will outlast its competition.
Non-shoe related designs should strive for this too. Durable designs can always make returns as retro items too!
These Sneaker Design Principles Can Be Used as a Universal Guide to Good Design
Sneaker design is a more complex field than it initially lets on to be! There’s a lot that goes into a sneaker design—and designers in all fields can take tips from the process to improve their own work.
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