2020.

RUNNING A HISTORY OF USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN To Spikes for Sprinting Something for Everyone Interactively create

As home to the Olympiad, its no surprise Fast forward centuries and we find Adi New Balance’s Trackster running The grip of spikes but gentler, the light that running was a central part of the life in Dassler—attributed with being the Father adapted multiple features to improve synthetic upper and the multiple terrains it Ancient Greece. The first 13 Olympiads of the modern running shoe—creating usability. As Metnal Itch notes, “…the could be used on made the Waffle Trainer consisted of just running, all of which running shoes for short to mid-distances. Trackster enhanced traction, absorbed was quite popular for both elite athletes, originated as a barefoot spectacle. It wasn’t His early designs were still leather, but shock, and prevented injuries, which were and weekend joggers suffering from until about 450 BC that were much more streamlined and included common with the metal spiked sprint shoes bruised feet. Urethane tracks were spotted on some athletes who traveled from spikes built into the sole of the shoe for of that period”. Essentially revolutionizing becoming the new norm, and traditional cooler climates. The simple addition of the traction. These specialized shoes deviated the concept that running could be improved running spikes would tear them up, but sole of the sandal increased ground from prior running shoes that were just not just by body mechanics, but by the grooved trainers didn’t provide traction traction and propelled the leg forward regular shoes the user strapped traction to. functionality of a well designed product: and athletes would . The unique

Prior to Sandals Running was Barefoot with greater efficiency. As the sandaled These shoes allowed the user a niche running shoes. New Balance went further design of the waffle sole—which had runners began to win more often, athletes shoe that was easy to use and and understood that injury prevention and small protruding bumps was like a self- all began to adopt the use of sandals. At enhanced their performance, functionality was about fit as much as adjusting form of traction runners didn't first there was some skepticism, but the specifically traction and speed. materials, so for the first time ever the get with metal spikes. Since it adapted will notable performance enhancements quickly Trackster was available in multiple widths to the surface being run on the average had shifted users perspective around accommodating more runners than ever. runner was even able to fund success. wearing the to compete.

NOTABLE SHIFTS IN USER EXPERIENCE NOTABLE 450 B.C. 1920 1960 1974 Authoritatively deploy accurate Lighter & Brighter Fashion + Function starts Functional Fashion into the 80s Interactively create

New Balances Trackster running shoe The grip of spikes but gentler, the light Up until about the late 70’s running shoes As the fashion forward trend of running With so much evolution around short to adapted multiple features to improve synthetic upper and the multiple terrains it were “nothing more than laces and thin shoes continued gaining traction into the mid distance and track based running usability. As Metnal Itch notes, “…the could be used on made the Waffle Trainer fabric” according to one scholar. The 80s, the user interaction was not as much there was more of a need for a shoe that Trackster enhanced traction, absorbed quite popular for both elite athletes, and focus on progressing to lighter shoes and focused on the usability of the shoe for could absorb the impact on the runner’s shock, and prevented injuries, which were weekend joggers suffering from bruised traction based shoes that began to performance running, rather, between the midsole during long runs. While distance common with the metal spiked sprint shoes feet. Urethane tracks were becoming the welcome use from others besides elite growth of running as a common sport, the running itself was no new spectacle, the of that period”. Essentially revolutionizing new norm, and traditional running spikes athletes was the predominant theme. As accessibility and interest to watch elite 1980s was the era of the midsole which the concept that running could be improved would tear them up, but grooved trainers running shoes began to fall into the athletes and therefore want to emulate focused on elevating the quality and comfort not just by body mechanics, but by the didn’t provide traction and athletes would average joe’s hands, the look and style them, coupled with a growing creative of distance running. Most notably was Asics functionality of a well designed product: slide. The unique design of the waffle of the shoe began to be of more marketing field, running shoes evolved launch of a gel vs air midsole, still in use running shoes. New Balance went further sole—which had small protruding concern to the consumer, and the big into a lifestyle brand that was created today. Users now has a shoe that was by understand that injury prevention and bumps—was like a self-adjusting form of athletic brands took notice of the for daily user interaction. Streamlined functionally focused to allow all levels of functionality was about fit as much as traction runners didn't get with metal opportunity to give the consumer a looks focused on visual design, not runners to feel confident and supported in materials, so for the first time ever the spikes. Since it adapted well to the product that met their fashion and just technical design, were prominent longer runs and the impact those runs has Trackster was available in multiple widths surface being run on the average runner average function needs. to draw users to buy. There was also a on their bodies. The midsole development accommodating more runners than ever. was even able to find success. shift back to the use of leather versions. also brought a technical aspect back to the heavy fashion era they were following.

1960 1974 1970 1980 1986 What will 2020+ bring for the UX of modern running shoes?

Authoritatively deploy accurate Midsole Develop Back to Barefoot Endless Options

As the fashion forward trend of running With so much evolution around short to mid As a nation became infatuated with the Today’s running shoe landscape is the shoes continued gaining traction into the distance and track based running there was book Born to Run, Vibram capitalized on culmination of lightweight materials meeting 80s, the user interaction was not as much more of a need for a shoe that could absorb the sentiment and gave rise to FiveFinger functionality, comfort and fashion forward focused on the usability of the shoe for the impact on the runner’s midsole during toe shoes in the running world. It peaked design. The ‘athleisure’ movement has performance running, rather, between the long runs. While distance running itself was the interest of, and gave a unique option everyone reaching for both in day growth of running as a common sport, the no new spectacle, the 1980s was the era of to users who wanted the barefoot to day and fitness. The running shoe accessibility and interest to watch elite the midsole which focused on elevating the experience without the pain and dirt of evolution is one that has taken a specific athletes and therefore want to emulate quality and comfort of distance running. Most actually being barefoot on all terrains. item with one limited functioned, and them, coupled with a a growing creative notably was Asics launch of a gel vs air The initial interest gained traction coming evolved the functional design, materials marketing field, running shoes evolved midsole, still in use today. Users now had off the era of built up midsoles, cushion and aesthetic in a way that the user can into a lifestyle band that were created for a shoe that was functionally focused to and support. While users who embraced now seamlessly integrate a running shoe daily user interaction. Streamlined looks allow all levels of runners to feel confident the 5 toe articulation loved the product, into day to day life and without looking focused on visual design not just technical and supported in longer runs and the the lack of shock absorption, support, out of place, or being uncomfortable. The design ramped up to draw uses to impact those runs has on their bodies. the need to train into using them to user now has the luxury of choice in their purchase. There was also a shift back to The midsole development also brought a avoid injury, and the inability to really fit running shoe allowing them to fit their exact the use of leather versions. technical aspect back after the heavy all feet well, made their usability less preferences and needs. fashion-focused era they were following. than optimal in the long run.

1986 2005 2019 List of Resources PICTURES + CONTENT

https://www.adidas-group.com/en/group/history/

https://www.24life.com/a-brief-history-of-running/

http://upandhumming.com/tag/vintage-running-shoes/

https://www.vox.com/2016/3/25/11290566/running-lifetime

https://www.feelboosted.com/vibram-fivefingers-all-you-need-know/

https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/03/30/nike-waffle-trainer-history/

http://feetandtheolympics.blogspot.com/2008/04/history-of-foot-race.html

https://www.complex.com/sneakers/2013/06/the-defining-running-shoes-of-the-70s https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/style/roger-federer-on-running-sneaker-deal.html