Design+Creative Direction
In 2003, I started having conversations with people at Nike about creating more ecologically conscious footwear. A lot of hard work few & years later Nike Considered was born. I designed these products to generate less waste, use fewer materials & less harmful chemicals than normal shoes. I worked with some excellent product engineers (Brad Long & Steven Ploem) on design for disassembly, to ease recycling. We sourced materials close to the production facility to reduce energy used in freight. Even the packaging was more sustainable.
In 2006 these products received an Honorable Mention Design Award in from I.D magazine as part of their annual design competition. In 2010 they received a Design of the Decade Award from the IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America). They were also featured in various publications, including . Sneaker Freaker (Australia), Street Jack, Mono (Japan), Sotokoto (Japan), Milk (Hong Kong) & Sole Collector (USA). More important than that, they served as a tipping point for environmentally sustainable design at Nike. Special thanks to Richard Clarke for ignition, support & encouragement.
The second generation of environmentally-conscious designs I designed for Nike built on the success of the initial designs. These new products featured significant improvements in sustainability & athletic performance. Many of the components snap together - reducing the need for harmful cement & simplifying disassembly for recycling. Materials include woven hemp, laminated bamboo & chrome-free leather. Again, I teamed up with Nike developer Brad Long & engineer Steven Ploem, who were powerhouse contributors.
This design received a Design Distinction award from ID Magazine in their annual design competition for 2007.