MERCURY

TEXTILE DEVELOPMENT AND FOOTWEAR PROTOTYPING

Focus: Bringing Concepts To Life

Duration: 4 Months

Skills: Textile Development, Footwear Prototyping, Form Exploration, Sewing, Pattern Making, AI Prompt Generation, Storytelling

Software: Rhino 8, Gravity Sketch, Vizcom, Photoshop, Ultimaker Cura

Performance footwear should not only impact athletes bodies, but their minds too. Combining innovative 3D knit textiles and a unique story woven figuratively throughout the shoe, allows marathon runners to feel capable and confident during races.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS PROJECT

I learned how to prototype a marathon running shoe with limited resources and production techniques. I learned I can persevere and create something with very basic materials. I experimented with 3D printing and custom textured swatches to fail fast and often; exploring possibilities for 3D knitted seamless uppers.

Mercury, the messenger of the Roman gods, guides travellers and delivers important messages. His winged sandals, Talaria, allow him to move swiftly through the heavens, Earth, and underworld.

A marathon runner’s journey mirrors Mercury’s. The earth represents physical obstacles like pain and exhaustion. The heavens and underworld symbolize the mental strength needed to overcome doubt, fear and the want to abandon the race.

Both figures require speed, endurance, and determination in body and mind to reach their final destinations.

Textile references for structure, pattern and color inspiration.

Exploratory sketches defining the wing shape, mimicking Talaria. This exaggerated form bridges the upper and midsole together.

Vizcom AI prompts and Photoshop collages act as a fast and effective brainstorming tool that maintains my sketched proportions.

PHYSICAL PROTOTYPING

All of the work shown above, was all preparation for my physical prototypes. The 3D prints and textile samples explained below are critical to developing the form and texture for the upper of the shoe!

To form the fabric and mimic a 3D knit, I used custom made jigs. I created these samples to fail fast and early; learning by experimentation. I noted processes, materials, adhesives and findings on data sheets.

A cotton jersey soaked in a 1:10 glue solution, clamped overnight and then air dried was most effective at holding shape while maintaining flexibility.

The colorways are inspired by the locations Mercury would travel through, and the feelings a marathon runner experiences during a race.