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This summer, 30 young students from all the around the world have come together in Portland, Oregon, determined to change the footwear game by embarking in the PENSOLE World Sneaker Championship. Assigned to teams and representing a diverse range of brands, boutiques and major corporations across the industry, they’ve began their journey to design a product that’s ready for retail. These are their stories.
TEAM ADIDAS
Roster: Dexter Sulit, Claudia Lopez, Daniel Raes and Marcus Taylor (CMF)
So, we have been getting a lot feedback on our designs lately and it’s hard to sift through it all. Each person has a different view, especially if they are working in a different field than design. Their feedback is equally important but often you hear conflicting critiques. When two people say the exact opposite thing how can you choose which one is right? The answer is in the facts. It is our responsibility as designers to follow facts and seek the truth. Each design element must be rooted in fact. Then, by association, designers can be equated to superman. Okay, that’s a stretch, but you know what I mean. Superman must always tell the truth and strive to make the world a better place. We as designers must seek the facts and use them to make not just products but better products. D’Wayne is the father of all super-designers because he is an expert in weeding out lies. If you try to explain something without the facts to back it up then he’ll let you know. This comes in handy when dealing with multiple opinions. He easily separates things that cannot be rooted in facts and makes everything clear. If you ever get a chance to meet him make sure you listen to every word he says. You’ll be much wiser for it. Now I must continue with my super-friends and search for the facts.
Johnny being photographed by the Sports Illustrated photographer while I’m getting critiques from D’Wayne in the background. Taping a last and drawing on it is a good way to understand the form in 3 dimensions. I’m getting closer to a final design direction. We need a final design on Friday and there’s a lot of work to be done.
