REEBOK IVERSONICS, basketball shoe design process: part 4 - shoe sketching
Preliminary work: done
Research work: done
Project brief: done
It’s finally time to start drawing shoes!
Usual semi-rough paper notebook and 2B Staedler pencil in hand, I’ve prepared for the first sketch attempt of the Iversonics checking all the notes and reference written down before.
First iteration started from the concept attached to the brief, the one with dual layer midsole and Maybach seats upper inspiration.
Sketches, first iteration
In the picture above sketches are ordered in top to dowm lines, from left to right
From the same basic idea, I’ve tried to work on different soles, adapting the upper, progressively slimming it down to get a faster look. There are also a few option of ankle collar cut, in order to have a feel of the general silhouette of the shoe.
Last sketch (bottom right), introduces the laces cover, inspired from Answer 5 model. This is a shift on the project, since from now on I’ve decided that the lace cover (present on several models of the signature series) will be a final feature, because of the recall to quickness and aerodynamic shapes.
By the way the whole look didn’t satisfy me, so time for a new start!
Sketches, second iteration - style research
This is style research work for second iteration, fully unfiltered for you!
As bad and rough as you can see, it was very important for the development of the whole project.
You can also see that there is no consistency in the first attempts. I’ve started from a design element (toebox, collar, sole, etc) and I’ve tried to address the rest of the shoe accordingly, to somehow respect the brief ideas.
A couple of sketches where almost instantly abondoned, because I’ve felt them as irrelevant.
Anyway, looking for an overall consistent style, the bottom left sketch looked nice, with the idea of a functional support structure also dictating the aesthetic design; so. I’ve decided to pursue that direction in the following two attempts.
Sketches, second iteration - style development
Further developing the last concept of previous set, I’ve also shortly caressed the idea of putting together a BOA lacing system.
In the name of a cleaner look, the BOA was dismissed and rotors circle developed in an organic cut out in the ankle support and lockdown panel.
Reducing the overall curved shapes and adding more tense lines, this iteration finally found its way, putting together a distinctive and responsive tooling, a cool toe cap element and a balanced lace cover.
Bottom right sketch is the final point of this second iteration, time to try a newer, different, feel.
Sketches, third iteration
New iteration and new tools.
Not having my usual pencil and notebook at hand, next evolution have been done with blue ink pen and copy paper…
Despite the super rough sketches, the idea was to have a more elegant, light and dynamic style, matching Iverson’s iconic floater shots, where his long and slender arms described ample and plastic trajectories, effortlessly leading the basketball through the hoop with a high and unstoppable arc.
Tooling geometry and clean upper with limited number of panels did the job, with a shoe concept that tried to mimic the elegant flight of sailplanes.
Sketches, the results of three rounds of iterations
Above you can see the best sketch of each round of iterations.
Are these concepts good enough to jump straight into the rendering phase? Which one do you like best to be carried over? Do you think I should develop the concepts even more or find a new direction?
If you want to know the Answer (the term choice is not accidental), stay tuned for part 5!