This research explores how repeated design and material choices in footwear communicate broader cultural messages about who we are, what we value, and how we present ourselves within changing social and historical contexts. Because shoes are worn on the body and are visible in social contexts, they play a significant role in expressing belonging, identity, status, and individuality.
The purpose of this research is to examine how repeated design and material choices in footwear translate into cultural messages about who we are, what we value, and how we present ourselves.
An informational design poster that helps with visualizing the connection between how certain design elements repeat and why they hold signifigance throughout the 20th and 21st century.
An interactive informational book for a hypothetical exhibit in The Museum at FIT in NYC, highlighting the history of sneakers.
One of the biggest challenges throughout this research was finding data from the early 20th century, as most shoe sales were not digitally documented.
Another challenged faced throughtout this project was designing around a such a vast amount of information and images, as the informational design must include significant information, yet maintaing a balanced and organized layout.
For this project, I created a process book, documenting the process work in a matter that is clear, well-designed, and expressive of the "brand" for my project. This process book explains how the project started, evolved, and developed into the final project outcome.
The informational & data visualization design poster & the interactive museum book will increase audience engagement with footwear history by presenting sneakers as both cultural artifacts and as design objects.
Through visual storytelling, historical research, and interactive design, the projects aim to help viewers better understand how sneaker design reflects identity, status, innovation, and cultural change over time.
