CLOUD 9
A comfortable, resistant, stylish, and flat-foot friendly basketball shoe.
FEATURING
HOKA
NBA
NEW BALANCE
To learn about shoes in the current market that help flat footed people and basketball players, I researched the best shoes and discovered the specific features and materials of the shoe that make them so amiable to my target market.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS
ROCKER GEOMETRY
Ensures smooth takeoffs and landings, as well as reducing muscle and joint pain.
ARCH SUPPORT THROUGH MIDSOLE
Solves arch pain for flat feet and reduces overpronation, which can cause injuries with the active lifestyle of basketball players.
SHOCK ABSORBING CUSHIONING
Moves shock from shooting to the arch area to the shoe. Essential to basketball players, who thrive while running and jumping, lowering injury risks and muscle fatigue. Also generates higher energy return, aiding players to jump higher and move faster.
WIDTH VARIETY
Provides stability and accounts for the majority of flat-footed people, who tend to have wider feet. Prevents squeezing of feet, naturally giving them more breathability and making steps lighter.
IDEATION PHASE
Taking inspiration from the fluid movements of basketball players, I moved on to the ideation phase by using strokes that showed relationships between joints to create the designs of the shoes.
Experimenting with the mutation of strokes throughout the designs, as well as the midsole design for the best support.
Focused on intentionally adding ridges in midsole to guide direction of foot and straps to prevent unnecessary movement and sliding of the foot, as well as locking the heel.