DESIGN FOR TEXTILE AND FOOTWEAR Danny Chambers Experience Education
Email [email protected] Tricycle Collective Portland, Oregon. Fall 2016-Current University of Cincinnati DAAP. Cincinnati, Ohio. 2012-2017 Consultant providing design services to footwear startups and Industrial Design, Class of 2017. Cum Laude. Website DannyChambers.net the sound engineering industry. Hong Kong Polytechnic Kowloon, Hong Kong. Fall 2015 +1 567 207 4990 Visiting student, Institute of Textiles & Clothing. Phone Pininfarina Miami, Florida. Spring 2016 Design contract focused on product strategy for Cisco Danny Chambers is a creative from rural northwest Ohio. Tiffin, Ohio. 2010-2012 About Systems in addition to leading textile and fashion consulting. Heidelberg University He graduated from the University of Cincinnati DAAP in the spring Post-Secondary Liberal Arts Education. of 2017 with a degree in Industrial Design. Much of Danny’s work Seattle, Washington. Summer 2015 focuses on creating harmony within broad areas of influence, found Brooks Running at the intersection of diverse life experiences. From backpacking the Leader of two collaborative projects focusing on identifying Philmont Scout Ranch to exploring local markets in Hong Kong, he and serving new consumers as well as developing new holds a curious and thoughtful approach to design and learning that biomechanical tracking methods to improve runner analysis. starts outside of the studio. Danny enjoys long runs, backpacking, Skillset photography, and dancing. AND1 Basketball New York, New York. Fall 2014 Designer I role included performance footwear design, Analog Sketching, Rendering, Knitting, Weaving, Sewing, Pattern Development, Woodwork, Model Making, Screen line strategy, color direction, material direction, production Printing, Trend Forecasting. specifications, and factory collaboration. Digital Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Vray, Solidworks, New York, New York. Spring 2014 Wilson Associates Microsoft Office, Keynote. Hospitality architecture and interior design services for clientele including Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont Resorts, and Hilton. Textile Prototype, Design, Color, Material, Specification.
New Balance Boston, Mass. Summer 2013 Lifestyle footwear design internship. Work included design, specification and color of the flagship 574 shoe sold in 2014.
Design in Mind Cincinnati, Ohio. Spring 2017 Recognition Volunteer work in local art classrooms to aid the lack of funding for the arts and teach children about design. Selection DAAPcares social design showcase Novelty Award Nike + MIT Materials Matter Competition Medical Aid Trip El Salvador. Spring 2012 Finalist 2014 Pensole World Sneaker Championship Collaboration with physical therapists to design and produce First Place Le Coq Sportif Footwear Competition 90 custom cushions for patients in wheelchairs in rural First Place Boston Boot Company Identity Competition northwest El Salvador. First Place Red Bull Rubber & Sole Competition Valedictorian Calvert High School Class of 2012 One tooling and three corresponding shoe designs.
Adam Henry. Untitled (SHplsHS), 2016 Danny Chambers 3 Interests Track & Field Student Gov’t.
Following @alisonfelix @nikerunning
Listening Sia Interests Basketball Sza FIFA Soccer
Following @kevindurant @nikensw Interests Water Polo Listening Drake Photography Coming of Age Post Malone Following @russwess44 Born at the turn of the millennium, tomorrow’s athletes are shaping the future of sport and style. Above all else, they @nikelab demand authenticity from the brands and products they interact with. Having grown up knowing only a connected world, today’s young consumers shift in and out of digital and analog effortlessly, to many there is little to no distinction Listening Travis Scott between the two. As a result, brands must move towards an individual dialogue with each unique set of consumer Lil Uzi Vert identities at an increasingly rapid pace.
Danny Chambers 4 A Brief History of Memetics
Originating in the 1970’s, memetics is a study of culture and ideas based on an analogy of genetics. Like genetics, memetics explains growth through evolution. Memetics can help us to breakdown all the rapid changes of culture into discernible units to frame new designs. Today’s athletes and their equipment play a huge role in culture well beyond the court, no better is this illustrated then by Russel Westbrook. In an increasingly complicated and confusing world, the collective conscious of the internet turns to humor to make sense of things. With this rapid pace of change, spaces like graphics and typography continue to evolve beyond their original forms. Danny Chambers 5 “Create a vapor tooling that limits cost and retains value.”
Not a Take Down
Price and merchandising hierarchy has been central to Nike since the foundation of the brand. Over the years, the perceived gap in value between products has narrowed. Today, take-down products are best thought of as alternatives to the flagship silhouettes. Successful contingent shoes should address new needs of new consumers not only through price, but also expression. Considering the technological and cultural impact of the VaporMax tooling, an opportunity for Nike to create a auxiliary tooling to expand the VaporMax family.
Danny Chambers 6 Looking Back to Head Forward
Tasked with creating a sole that limits cost (and complexity) but retains value. Inspiration came from the Air Max 180 (1991). The 180 was the first Air Max shoe to feature a ground contact air bubble that would appear 25 years later in the VaporMax. Due to production restraints at the time, the air unit in the 180 was restricted to the heel of the shoe and complemented with a foam forefoot. It is this dynamic DNA of the original Air Max 180 and its original marketing campaign that lays the groundwork for the design of the new Vapor 180 tooling.
Danny Chambers 7 @
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Materials and Rationale
% Vapor 180 Unit - inflated thermoplastic unit provides targeted cushion directly on the heel impact zone # 180 Print - the call sign of the Vapor 180 tooling, left in every track you make @ EVA Foam - supplements the vapor unit to provide cushioning throughout the entire shoe & Blown Rubber - durable rubber protects both the Vapor 180 unit and EVA midsole to increase durability // Flex Grooves- simple depressions in the forefoot nod to the original Air Max 180 tooling and increase flexibility
Danny Chambers 8 Three Unique Uppers
To successfully serve each consumer, three unique designs arise. A running shoe built to the mind of the competitor with functional considerations and flash to match. A lifestyle silhouette with influencesfrom Nike’s pinnacle running DNA and tonal outlines to make a low-key statement. Last, a limited production Nike Lab release with an embellished knit upper and specialty detailing.
Danny Chambers 9 Deciding upon Color
Each unique silhouette paired with the vapor 180 tooling requires a palette to give it life. Speed, a recurring motif through the design research process and foundational element of Nike, provides the inspirational spark. What does each facet of speed look like in order to speak to each consumer? Competitive speed is brash with a spread of varying reds - - - balanced with greens - - inspired by emergency vehicles. Undercover speed is just that, a palette of warm and neutral metals - - with a few elements to divert attention - - . Peculiar is inspired by the eccentric elements of automotive racing culture, a complementing range ------of contrasting hues and saturation. Danny Chambers 10 Spread Across Brands
Each unique upper pulls the Vapor 180 tooling into a new direction, from performance running to lifestyle sportwear through to fashion. The resulting assembly of shoes cross over categories throughout the Nike brand ecoystem. Honoring the performance roots of air max, the competitor sits within Nike Running. The streamlined form of the undercover lands among the lifestyle products of Nike Sportswear. Last, the peculiar joins the limited company of Nike Lab.
Danny Chambers 11 &
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The Competitor
% Vapor 180 Unit - cushioning to provide a comfort on long runs # Embroidered Forefoot - integrated stability to secure the foot @ Integrated Lacing - extended into the vamp to allow for a variety of foot shapes & Malleolus Zone - provides comfort wrapped around the ankle bone // Reflective Badge - increases visibility for runs at night
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The Undercover
% Vapor 180 Unit - blacked out to conceal the technology # Parachord - keeps the foot secure and eliminates laces @ Bootie - sock constriction reduces bulk & Swoosh - extends tonally onto the midsole unifying the silhouette // Liner - features anti-bacterial silver for wearing without socks
Danny Chambers 13 @
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The Peculiar
% Swoosh - extends beyond the back to serve as a pull tab # Embroidery - reflects the tendons and skeletal structure of the foot @ Collar - compresses around the ankle to keep the shoe in place & Suede - protects high wear areas reminiscent of vintage Nike running models // Yellowing- pays homage to the original Air Max 180 tooling
Danny Chambers 14 Render by Cameron Bresn. Danny Chambers 15 The Future of Racing
2030. Autonomy has changed the paradigm of driving. Le Mans, meanwhile, has evolved into a rare spectacle with humans behind the wheel. While engineering and technology pushed racing forward into the future, the heart of the sport remains the same. Still a car, still a human driver. Tesla, Space X and OpenAi, three pioneering companies most associated with ushering in the autonomous paradigm, enter Le Mans as CORTEX. The sole purpose of CORTEX is to inform fifth generation autonomous capabilities by observing the pinnacle of human performance. In doing so, CORTEX looks to bring the art and beauty of driving to autonomy. Danny Chambers & Cameron Bresn Danny Chambers 16 Collaborative Development
Cortex is the result of a collaboration between designers Danny Chambers and Cameron Bresn. The design of the vehicle was led by material and form studies surrounding a monolithic cockpit. Through texture and surfacing, the intent was to build contrast between the organic driver and the adaptive machine. Design cues were taken from the rings of Saturn to create a final body form that encapsulates the central vessel.
Danny Chambers & Cameron Bresn Danny Chambers 17 Vehicle Architecture
The LMR001 (Le Mans Research) is comprised of two fundamental components created to compliment and contrast one another. The vessel of the automobile is made of forged carbon and black glass. The body of the car is made of piezoelectric electric fabric draped over a carbon frame. The introduction of piezoelectric fibers allows the body to actively increase and reduce aerodynamic drag in order to keep the car grounded while handling turns.
Danny Chambers & Cameron Bresn Danny Chambers 18 Integrated Tires All Conditions Headlights
The LMR0001 features a four axial electric The one thing that will never change propulsion system that is integrated with about Le Mans is the uncertainty of each tire. With the help of the Michelin mother nature. LMR001 follows the advanced labs, the LMR utilizes smart tires heritage of elite Le Mans cars designed to that optimize the tread footprint in order handle whatever the night britngs. Each to reduce wear on the tire and achieve led headlight is integrated within the optimized handling / acceleration through central neural network, learning the ebb the elements. and flow of the course in order to increase visibility for the driver throughout the race.
Adaptive Aero 360º Awareness
The piezoelectric fabric body of the vehicle While the onboard LIDAR and RADAR don’t allows the neural network to optimize drive the car for the drivers, they deliver the movement of the vessel through air, live data to them through a heads-up helmet creating discrete instances of downdraft display. In tandem the LIDAR and RADAR are during high periods of acceleration. able to pinpoint the distance, speed and rate of acceleration of nearby vehicles while also providing apex calculations.
Vehicle Considerations Danny Chambers & Cameron Bresn Danny Chambers 19 Danny Chambers 20 Vessel
Danny Chambers 21 The Rag Chair, 1991
Designed by Tejo Remy for Droog, the Rag Chair is a material exploration aimed at creating value with discarded and worn materials. The Rag Chair resonates with my personal interests in creating solutions that are both thoughtful and beautiful. Each Rag Chair is completely unique and impossible to replicate, a product of the process. More than form or aesthetic, the Rag Chair informed the process of this project. Following Tejo’s lead, I sought to explore the value of used materials and shoes long forgotten, resulting in vessels that help people get from a to b.
Danny Chambers 22 A Product of the Process
The primary element of the Rag Chair that inspired this project was not visual but rather a method of collection and curation. Similar to the 15 lbs. of clothes that make up each Rag Chair, I began the project with a collection of magazines to inform the color and tone of the project through collage.
Danny Chambers 23 Collages 1-36 Danny Chambers 24 Danny Chambers 25 Rebond Foam
A primary goal with this project was to integrate sustainable material solutions in a functional and beautiful manner akin to the Rag Chair. Created using the soles of old running shoes and discarded foam packaging, rebond foam is the fitting choice. Each piece of rebond foam is completely unique, resulting in footwear with similar character to the rag chair. A reflection of the many shoes that came before it.
Sunkist SA-9A Rebond Foam Production Machine Danny Chambers 26 A Visit to the Archives
To better understand those shoes that have come before, I took a visit to the Adidas archive site, there I chose sneakers with little to no criteria other than those which caught my eye. Standing on the shoulders of this vast database of color, material, and shape, I began to explore opportunities for new silhouettes.
Danny Chambers 27 A shoe to Lounge In
In the spirit of the brief, I treated the first design as piece of furniture itself, a mule comfortable enough to lounge in all day, with materials that will patina and conform to the individual user over the course of the product’s lifetime. The final design was chosen on this criteria, resulting in a silhouette reminiscent of Japanese geta mud sandals.
Danny Chambers 28 Sofa Vessel
Danny Chambers 29 Shift to Function.
Both house slippers and running shoes solve for the same function: comfort. Yet their methods are quite different. Building on my experience in performance running footwear, the second shoe took distilled elements from the sofa shoe and integrated them to a functional running product for the consumer who enjoys jogging. The shoe features a concentric tooling that contains rebond, EVA, and boost foams to provide strategic structure, cushion, and energy return respectively.
Danny Chambers 30 Jog Vessel
Danny Chambers 31 Nod to the Past
One thing that becomes very apparent when looking through the Adidas archives is that the brand was built upon running spikes. Seeking to pay tribute to this rich history, cleat plates through the years were collaged with sketches to create a solution considerate of the past and the future.
Danny Chambers 32 Haste Vessel
Danny Chambers 33 Danny Chambers 34 Danny Chambers 35 FOR YOUR TIME.
DannyChambers.net 567.207.4990
Danny Chambers 36