Month: March 2021

Among the limitless amounts of technology being introduced, I believe a massive force in design lies within quite a simple concept: a tablet for which you can draw on as we all did as children. For me, in particular, this would be the Apple iPad Pro, along with the relatively new and overpriced Apple Pencil.

This device has freed up much of my design work into just simple drawings as I used to when I was growing up. This function is enhanced with apps such as Procreate, Adobe Draw, Adobe Sketch, Adobe Fresco, and good ole Photoshop, among countless other apps for creativity and art. I feel that with this tool, graphic design is more natural to me and less technical button shortcuts and complicating steps on the Adobe Suite. If it were not for this humble piece of glass and metal, I would not be able to draw an illustrated logo design and place it right into Illustrator as a vector object within seconds. The Apple pencil actually lets me press into the glass of the tablet and feel what I am really trying to create. While I am always enjoying this, I often think to myself: Is this $1000 piece of tech worth it? Or should we artists just stick to pencil and paper?

It is hard to think about how technology like this can possibly advance even further. Perhaps somehow the glass of an iPad will eventually be able to emulate the texture of different types of papers or surfaces? Who knows, I am not in the tech business, I am in the design business. I believe that no matter how advanced and expensive technology gets for us designers (and people in general), we will always find a way to create something that is truly original. I think I will always be sketching ideas and scribbles on a piece of paper or my trusty Field Notes.

My big worry of course with all this advancing technology (especially Apple products) is the always increasing prices. The higher these device prices go, the more out of reach they will become for younger designers who cannot afford a $2500 MacBook Pro, or a $1000 iPad Pro, and yes a $100 Apple Pencil. Hopefully one day, truly every kid who wants to become a designer (for some reason) will be able to acquire the proper supplies to create the next generation of amazing graphic design.

Earlier this month, sportswear giant Nike announced the arrival of a shoe that is for an untapped audience: disabled people who are not able to bend down or tie their own shoes. The Nike FlyEase was welcomed with great cheers all over social media, and of course the occasional social media jeers, which we will get into later.

Does it attempt to fix the person or the problem?
Nike attempted to fix the problem of people not being able to put on their own shoes or tie them. This does not exclude anybody, as able-bodied people can also purchase the Nike FlyEase for $120.

Was this the best use of resources?
I would say yes, it was about time such a huge company like Nike has embraced the problems the disabled face every day. This also is a good move for Nike, since they are known for their outspoken activism for all types of athletes and normal people alike.

Is anyone excluded from this design?
I would say the only people who are excluded from this design are the portion of disabled/able-bodied people who cannot afford a $120 pair of sneakers. A majority of disabled people live in poverty, so the price is worrying. I believe the $120 price tag is too high for “a shoe for everybody”.

Was there a better way to do this?
The only way I could see the Nike FlyEase could’ve been done better would make it more accessible to people, which means making it cheaper. The goal would be to make the shoe less expensive without sacrificing the quality of the materials and design.

When the unveiling of the FlyEase made it to Twitter, praise from able-bodied and disabled spewed in for Nike. However, a valid point was brought up by many: the modern “sneakerhead” culture will probably buy these shoes until they are sold out, and possibly resell them for cash. This would ruin the point of the shoe, as there would not be shoes for the target audience to buy. I hate to say it, but I feel this is exactly what is going to happen. I hate the “grailed” culture and how streetwear/sportswear brand’s releases are followed more intently than any religion I have ever seen. Hopefully, sneakerheads will recognize this problem and let the disabled enjoy these amazing sneakers.

Overall, I believe the Nike FlyEase is a huge step (literally) for designing attractive-looking sneakers and sportswear for the disabled. Again, my biggest problem with the FlyEase is the sort-of-hefty price tag. My hope is that Nike can keep diving into designing for the disabled community, refining their processes, and eventually making an even more accessible and affordable “shoe for everybody”.