BIO I
ADAPTIVE FOOTWEAR FOR VOLCANOLOGISTS
A homage to those who face the most extreme work environments and thrive within their extremely niche professions. Volcanologists face a unique set of problems in their workflow, but none greater than an ever changing “workplace environment.” When facing an issue on a global scale the equipment must be capable of adapting alongside it’s user. Utilizing a modular system, this footwear concept evolves to tread any path ahead.
The Ask:
Develop a conceptual footwear solution for users in extreme workplace environments.
The Answer:
Bioconnected: Connection developed through the interactions of the user and the shifting environment around them, be it digitally, physically, or emotionally. Largely informed by the environments it was developed for, the BIO 1 consists of three modules: a lined neoprene bootie for shifting sands, a core low top trail hybrid for rugged terrains, and a removable gaiter for the most extreme conditions. The highlight of the design is a striking rigid, thermophilic algae-based, midsole inspired by multi-terrain iguanas which inhabit the same volcanos.
Roles:
Concept Ideation + Development
2D/3D/VR Ideation + Development
Technical Planning
A BREED APART
VOLCANOLOGISTS
Traveling across the globe to monitor nearly 1,400 active volcanos is no small task. On average, one might spend about 2-3 months out of the year living out of a tent. Hiking, sketching, taking notes, photographing, and taking samples are all par for course in a day monitoring some of Earth’s most extreme workplace environments.
TECHNICAL REQ ANALYSIS
FACING THE MOUNTAIN
When scaling these silent giants, volcanologists are subject to traverse wildly unpredictable terrains. From utilizing a wide range of dynamic movements to grueling vertical ascents, they are constantly adapting to their surroundings in an effort to prevent injury.
SCIENTISTS NOT HIKERS
THE ISSUE WITH USING GENERALIZED GEAR
For volcanology being such a dangerous profession, it would probably surprise most people to know that outside of extreme case scenarios there is little to no standard for workplace attire. Generally this is attributed to how careful the scientists are in their craft; however, there is a constant potential to encounter obstacles such as pyroclastic flows, lahars (mudflows), landslides, and even debris avalanches.
As such, there is a large margin for improvement in gear that adapts alongside it’s user.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
Integrate biomimetic and conceptual design elements into a footwear silhouette that is able to adapt alongside the wearer. Open the conversation up for other high-risk workplaces lacking equipment tailored to their needs.
DISTINCT FORM
CONVINENCE
ADAPTIVE
BIO-ORIENTED
DURABLE
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
FORM INSPIRATION
Inspiration for the actual form of the shoe came directly from the things that have spent more time traversing volcanos than anybody, or anything, else on the planet: iguanas. More particularly marine iguanas. The forms found in nature and these creatures interactions with them helped to frame both the obvious and the unclear.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
ITERATIVE SKETCHING
Pulling from natural influences, I explored various ways of pulling organic forms into the design. Once the direction felt cohesive, the form was revised with a clearer focus on the functionality in mind. Some key design features include: an extended heel for descents, a rigid lug design for traction and durability, laceless functionality, and most notably a 3-part modular design system.
VR/3D CONCEPT REFINEMENT
GRAVITY SKETCH REVIEW
Whilst honing in on a final direction for the Bio I, I was constantly moving back and forth between hand sketching and VR development in order to understand how the system would function and connect with it’s end users. After feeling settled in design direction, a final refined model was created in Cinema4D and technical package drafted.
B/W/G IDEATION
CMF BLOCKING EXPLORATION
Before diving into iterative color blocking and final colorways, I began by doing some general B/W/G exploration into potential layout approaches to see how they will effect the look and feel of the BIO I’s final silhouette.
MATERIAL TECH PACK
3D FABRIC PALETTE
In order to gain an understanding of my proposed materiality, I organized a digital material swatch using VMod 3D’s online database. From there I was able to not only source accurate materials for my model but see and consider the fabric compositions and physical properties to better understand if they would truly fit the user’s needs.
MATERIAL TECH PACK
TECHNICAL PLOTTING
A look into the potential materiality/construction for the Bio I. A unique aspect to the materiality is the potential for a thermophilic algae-based foam. Although it’s heat resistant properties are unknown, it happens to be the one organism that is capable of living within a volcanic conduit.
COLORWAYS
ENVIRONMENTALLY INSPIRED
Simple but bold, these four color options pull from the environments they will be living in. Desaturated palettes with occasional pops of chroma suit the landscapes and are popular in analogous tech wear styles.
Context Definitions:
Basins are depressions or dips in the Earth’s surface, sometimes filled with water. Ashes are solid remnants of fires. Tephra are rock particles and fragments ejected during a volcanic eruption. Lahars are destructive mudflows on the slopes of volcanoes and Obsidian is a glass-like volcanic rock.
BASIN
TEPHRA
OBSIDIAN
ASH
LAHAR
FINAL CONCEPT
INTRODUCING BIO I
A shoe just as adaptable as the scientist themselves, the Bio I features a striking biomimetic design language and function focused materiality. The removable inner neoprene bootie helps to traverse soft unpredictable terrains while the base unit attacks rugged terrains and extreme elements. To reiterate as it feels important, the purpose of Bio I is to further a conversation around purposeful footwear development for those who require it most in extreme workplaces.
The purpose of Bio I is to further a conversation around purposeful footwear development for those who require it most working in niche professions.
Shout out to yall!
Thank you for viewing!