SALT
Salt was a group project which was meant to simulate the creation of a footwear company and the design process as we defined our communal aesthetic.

Design Brief:      We would like to create a line of men's shoes which use altered silhouettes and unusual forms to create unexpected footwear for men. The women's market currently offers a wide array of expressive footwear which utilizes new technology and materials to create sculptural shapes. This trend has not yet crossed over into the men's market. Though men's athleisure shoes are never as expressive as women's formal wear, the popular trend of simple geometric forms and displaced elements should be able to carry over successfully. Additive and subtractive elements will allow these pieces to stand apart from other brands as a sculptural approach to traditional patterns. The price of these shoes should be in the range of $80-100, not a high price considering the customer is interested in fashion and the art of footwear. Other brands which are comparable in price and demographic are Keep company, Creative Recreation, and Gourmet. Some brands which have inspired the concept for our line are Heavy Machine, Chau Har Lee, and Walter Steiger. Combining this sculptural feel with the clean minimalism of men’s sneakers will create a look which is undeniably fresh.

Thumbnail sketches

First round of sketching, we think our mark will use a +/- motif.

Experimenting with the outsole

Experimenting with structure.

Outsole design and traction motif are chosen.