LORIS PICCHIO’s Post

The secret to good colors and material design? Scale. The secret to good CMF design is understanding scale and creating different experiences at different levels of interaction. From far, a bold and simple color blocking will create a dynamic visual impact. As you get closer, you want depth of materials, textures and colors to reveal themselves. In hand, the interaction becomes one of detail and a 360-degree experience. Over time, surprise and hidden elements keep the experience and design fresh. Good footwear design is nothing without good color and material design. It can make or break a design, elevate it or change the look and feel of a shoe completely. Designing for experience and interaction keeping in mind scale is more than designing for a a still photo or how a product will look on social media. --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign

I find this post misleading and counterproductive to the real work behind innovation. What I learned at adidas—and what distinguishes world-class brands—is a systematic and methodical approach to product creation. This foundation, built on adi Dassler’s principles, has been refined over decades. It’s about collaboration between experts in materials science, engineering, industrial design, sports science, and more, all working together to push boundaries. Breakthroughs don’t come from organisations “guessing” or filled with people “who don’t know what they are doing.” They come from structured, collaborative systems that enable creativity and innovation without relying on chance or individuals alone. For any brand aiming to build consistently innovative products, focus on developing a robust system. If you’d like to discuss further, feel free to reach out. #footwear #footweardesign #sportstechnology

Kids footwear design. Why quick sketch ideas are so crucial in the early part of the design process. I used to think that everything was going digital in the design process. Especially with the fast development of AI. Sketching can rapidly help capture ideas as they come. The spontaneity fuels creativity where you can explore multiple ideas in a short amount of time. Sketching by hand is an intuitive way to experiment with proportions, shapes, and overall style. It helps refine ideas before moving onto the more detailed CAD stage. Sketching is efficient and cost-effective. Catching design flaws or proportion issues early saves time and reduces sampling costs, as fewer revisions are needed. While digital tools are powerful, the quick sketch remains an irreplaceable part of the design process. #KidsFootwear #ShoeDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignThinking #ProductDevelopment

🎨 Stepping Up Your Game: The Power of Color and Patterns in Footwear Design “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh In the world of footwear, color and patterns aren’t just aesthetic choices—they’re the heartbeat of design, the elements that breathe life into every step we take. Imagine a world where every shoe was monochrome and patternless—a bit like a black-and-white movie, classic but lacking that electric spark. Color and patterns aren’t just about making shoes look good; they’re about making shoes feel good. They evoke emotion, create identity, and turn something functional into something unforgettable. Bold colors can make a statement, vibrant hues can lift your mood, and intricate patterns can tell a story—all before you’ve even taken a single step. In footwear design, color is the language, and patterns are the poetry. Together, they transform ordinary shoes into extraordinary experiences. So the next time you lace up, slip on, or strut out, remember: You’re not just wearing shoes—you’re wearing a masterpiece of color and creativity. #FootwearDesign #ColorInspiration #PatternPlay #CreativeExpression #DesignMatters #StepIntoStyle

WHAT IS THE CORE OF A DESIGN PROJECT? After 20 years in the footwear industry, I’ve learned that, just like in any product design field, the first crucial step is to truly understand the brand—where it stands today and where it aims to go. It may sound like the "basics" of design, but you'd be surprised by how often products miss the mark because the brand’s identity isn’t fully studied, the consumer isn’t properly understood, and the design lacks the visual and functional language that aligns with the brand’s values. Only after this foundational work do I develop the product strategy. Every design choice, from visual elements to functionality, is crafted to reflect both the brand’s identity and its future direction. From there, I present design options with the right color palettes and rendering styles that embody the brand’s vision. So, before diving into your next project with a new brand, take the time to craft a thorough “brand-consumer-product strategy” presentation. It will set the stage for more impactful and cohesive designs. DYDESIGN Footwear&Sole design studio #soledesigntraining #soledesign #footweardesign

I had my share of working in corporation environment design for various companies and brands. As an independent footwear designer be able to land a design project for a big corporation is no small matter. The last corporation design project in 2017 was for DesignFabrik of BASF (the company behind Adidas boost). However, no matter how many companies and brands I worked for and with. I realize how uncomfortable and unfitting I am in a corporation setting. I remembered clearly how out of place I was in a room full of people in nice suits and talking company visions and things. I, on the other hand was feeling awkward having to explain my design to a room of people during a BASF tradeshow event. To design footwear takes skills and experiences; to explain the design behind a shoe requires talents, experiences and chrism as well. #footwear #design #tradeshow #experience #abananadesign

At some point, you have to stop sketching ideas and start MAKING shoes. In footwear design, it's easy to get stuck in the theoretical. -What if we tweak the upper? -Change the colorway? -Add some next-gen materials? But at the end of the day, you’ve got to get out of your head and into reality. The data doesn’t lie—70% of design ideas never make it past the concept stage. Why? Because we overthink it. The reality? No design is ever perfect. The only way to know if it works is to bring it to life. It’s time to step out of the sketchbook and into the real world Remember, shoes are for walking, not just talking. P.S. Ready to start MAKING moves? DM me. Let's chat. #FootwearDesign #FromConceptToReality #DesignExecution #NoMoreTheory

The sole of a shoe is not just a detail – it’s the foundation of design, comfort, and functionality. Here are **3 essential tips** to help you choose the best sole for your model: ✔️ Consider the purpose of the shoe: Will it be used for formal occasions, outdoor activities, or everyday wear? Soles with good grip and durability are crucial for boots or sneakers, while lightweight and sleek soles are perfect for dress shoes. ✔️ Choose the material carefully: Each material has unique characteristics. Rubber is durable and offers great traction, while PU (polyurethane) is lightweight and flexible. For a touch of exclusivity, why not consider cork or sustainable materials? ✔️ Don’t forget the design: The shape and finish of the sole complement the shoe’s style and can become a unique feature of your brand. Think about details like patterns, colors, and textures that align with your collection’s concept. In the photo, you can see different types of soles – each designed to meet specific needs. 🎓 Do you want to learn more? FOOTWEAR FOUNDATIONS MENTORSHIP 1:1 Learn how a shoe is put together from the inside out. From lasts and outsoles to final materials and details. 📅 Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/dcd6p5Aw #ShoeDesign #ShoeSoles #FashionEntrepreneurship #SustainableFashion #SourcingPortugal #FootwearBrand

Designing with Purpose To create an effective outsole: Understand the Target Audience: Are you designing for athletes, workers, or casual users? Consider Environmental Factors: Will the footwear be used in wet, dry, cold, or abrasive conditions? Balance Aesthetics and Functionality: Both texture and materials should align with the shoe’s purpose and visual appeal. By carefully selecting the right textures and materials, manufacturers can craft outsoles that not only meet the demands of specific activities but also enhance the overall user experience. #shoedesign#shoe#design

As a footwear designer when I was working in a corporation environment developing of a footwear pattern, construction, tooling, etc. was never part of the job requirement. I only got to adjust what a factory interprets of a design. Of course, this development handover is definitely efficient and beneficial. I do feel a dissatisfaction of not be able to pattern, construction, tooling, etc. for my own design. Now as an independent designer, I get to have full control of a design. Nevertheless I always listen to feedbacks from factories. Just because I get to have my vision bring to life as close as I can. I don't get to make all decisions. The fact is that bring a design to life is a complicated process involving many areas. Even though design is a very important beginning, but design is still only part of the puzzle. A large part of development is not design related. There are issues in development, such as cost, smooth SOP, timeline, etc. must be ironed out for production. #footwear #design #development #skills #knowledge #independent #abananadesign