For my senior project, I envisioned a combination of graphics and footwear design. Initially, my plan was to create a sneaker, develop a 3D render, and make posters and advertisements. But the more I thought of it, I wanted to do something that would truly stand out. Even though I had no experience making and building a shoe from scratch, I decided to challenge myself and go for it. My first task was to determine the type of footwear to design—something personal yet universally appealing, and aligning with the current trend of sportstyle runners in the footwear market. Before I started sketching, I did some research on suitable soles. Since soles are difficult to make, I decided to use the soles from a pair of Asics Gel-Kayano 27  because they are known to be comfortable and durable. This choice also complemented the envisioned design and aesthetics. I then started on ideation and sketching, prioritizing comfort, breathability, materials, and aesthetics for the upper. After having some iterations of the uppers, I combined elements that I liked out of the first three to come up with the final iteration. Translating the sketch into digital form, I utilized Adobe Illustrator for line art before rendering it in Procreate. Satisfied with the digital representation, I proceeded to the physical creation of the shoe. Recognizing my need for a deeper understanding of sneaker construction, I ripped up and dissected old shoes to comprehend the internals and materials needed. I went out to the art supply store and the leather shop to pick out the materials that I would use. After acquiring all the supplies, I began the process of making the shoe. The first step was to cover the existing shoe with masking tape. After the shoe was all covered, I started drawing the pattern lines. Once the pattern for the upper was done, I removed the tape, and started drawing the pattern onto the leathers. I cut out the leather pieces of the pattern and glued them together to start seeing how the shoe was coming together. The next step was sewing. At this point, I had little experience knowing how to sew. I had to basically learn everything again. Despite initial difficulties, perseverance and practice led to proficiency.  I had to do several iterations of the uppers because the first couple of sewing jobs were not good. Through trial and error, I realized the mistakes and errors that I made, I adjusted on the next versions. Upon achieving a satisfactory upper, I employed a leather hole puncher to lace the shoe. Lasting the uppers onto a shoe last followed, using a stapler gun.   Adding the finishing touch of the logo marked the culmination of a tough, yet rewarding process. Despite the apparent simplicity in retrospect, the process was intricate and demanding, spanning approximately three months from design inception to the final product.