Showing the function

A quote from the redsign of the Aeron Chair got me thinking about engineering and design.  Showing function as a form of design.

The Aeron chair was made for function, yet gained an appeal because of it's design.

“Its designers, Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick, built the Aeron according to what the body needs, not what the eye likes. The result was a chair that looked more engineered than designed.”

The Pompidou in Paris is much the same.  By showing how the building functions, you create a unique design.

“The skeleton itself engulfs the building from its exterior, showing all of the different mechanical and structure systems not only so that they could be understood but also to maximize the interior space without interruptions.”

The iconic Nike Air Max One shows you what's on the inside.  The function is exposed to create a design.

“This part of the design known as ‘Maximum Volume’ allowed the transfer of air on impact — allowing the Air bag to expand beyond the confines of the midsole. So although they allowed you to see the Visible Air cushioning unit, they had more function as well.”

Learning About: Hyperbolic Geometry

Hyperbolic geometry is tough to explain, so I dug into youtube to help explain using crocheting as an example.

Traditional flat knitting machines can produce a 1 piece upper, but the end result still requires seam sewing and steam lasting to form to the foot.  A hyperbolic knitted/crocheted upper could potentially be made in one complete piece, without the need for lasting.  The key is where and how to increase the number of stitches when knitting.

Starting with the strobel as the base standard knit pattern, the hyperbolic knit would sweep outwards around the last spiraling upwards until it met at the top of the shoe.  By increasing or decreasing stitches, the upper would loosen or tighten as it wraps around the upper.  Creating support zones on the shoe is also an option,  The bottom 1/2 could be a stretchy weave to allow for give and the top 1/2 of the upper could be tighter weave to create the support.

Example

Example

End stitch at the top of the sock.

End stitch at the top of the sock.

Hyperbolic geometry is important because it came about back in the 1800's, and wasn't represented in a simple physical model until 1978.  Hyperbolic geometry is challenging convention, so it must be important.

“A hundred years ago, the mathematician David Hilbert proved a theorem that it is impossible to represent the hyperbolic plane in three-dimensional space analytically,” he says. “ ‘Analytically’ means ‘with equations.’ Everybody left off the word analytically later on. They were worried that mistakes or errors would creep into mathematics through geometric intuition, and so they discouraged the study of geometry and everything associated with this weird kind of thinking.”

My love for the 5

The Air Jordan V was designed by Tinker Hatfield, with a 3M reflective tongue, translucent outsole, and molded ankle collar.  All three features were firsts for basketball shoes from Nike.

The design was inspired by the grey nurse shark and Supermarine Spitfire MK 8.

What made the Air Jordan 5 special was the fact that they were different and I picked them.  The materials and design were new, they caught my attention.  At 10 years old, I wasn't a #nikehead just yet, I was just beginning to learn who Michael Jordan was.  This shoe introduced me to Michael Jordan, fighter jet airplanes, the idea of design and different being a good thing. 

My curiosity was sparked.  I had something that was different.   I studied and dissected the shoes when I couldn't wear them anymore.  I flashed a light on the tongue from all angles to see the 3M glow.  I ripped apart the mesh panels, cut out the tongue and took out visible air units from the sole.  This was my first shoe deconstruction.

Knowing where the design came from, I started down the path to learning more about airplanes. I started building model airplanes like the F-15.  With each model I started with the part disassembled, the opposite of what I did to the Jordan.  My mind switched from deconstruction, to assembly and how to connect these parts into something that can fly.

My childhood of model airplanes and Air Jordan's started from something new and different and led me down the engineering path. 

It was more than a shoe, it was potential, it was the catalyst to my curiosity, it was the origin to the path I've taken professionally.  Every time I see a pair of Jordan V's, I'm reminded to embrace the new and different.  The new and different will lead to creativity, growth, and improvement.

 

 

 

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