The Sole Search Design Contest, held in April 2008, was a successful joint effort of AIGA/LA and TOMS shoes to inspire the design community, contribute shoes to children in need of shoes, and benefit the AIGA/LA Scholarship Fund.
TOMS Shoes, maker of the Argentine-styled slip-on has a cause--for every shoe purchased they give a pair free to a child in need. The company started after the founder visited impoverished villages in Argentina and saw that few, if any kids, had shoes. Countries with poverty and health issues are the company's target. Their goal is to give 180,000 kids shoes over 24 months.
For the Sole Search Design Contest, the local design community was asked to create a unique design on a pair of canvas shoes, one that could be worn and replicated. To participate, a pair of shoes had to be purchased, designed, and photographed with images sent to TOMS. Inspired by the challenge, responses came in from all over the country with thought-provoking designs.
Designers got the opportunity to look to the streets of their communities, design something of function, create their mark on an object of personal significance and make it their own, as well as had the chance to give their design to the masses. The shoe designs that came back were inspired by environmental, political and playful themes using materials of paint, fabric markers, and wool.
Organizations also participated. Mohawk Fine Papers sent a shoe design called the Mohawk Windpower Shoe. Designed by Katie Repine of Pentagram NY, the repeating pattern on the shoes is of wind turbine blades that combine to produce a honeycomb design. Metro entered a whimsical pair that looked like cars with rolling tires on the soles.
The entries were judged by Archie Boston of Archie Boston Graphic Design, Michael Hodgson of Ph.D, Petrula Vrontikis of Vrontikis Design Office, Ricky Javaroni and TOMS Shoes. Leny Evangelista's shoe was the winning design and will be replicated and sold by TOMS shoes. Evangelista's shoe along with 29 others were displayed at Elevate Lounge in Los Angeles for the AIGA/LA gala, "Los Angeles Defines Design/Design Defines Los Angeles," held on May 14, 2008.
The response was mostly of inspiration by the act of giving back. Tommie Brink entered a shoe design with the comment, "Dump the gas pump, ditch the car, and put on a pair of TOMS shoes to stroll the neighborhood. Discover Los Angeles without the view of a windshield or the back end of a car in front of you on the 101 freeway." Participant Christina Hanson said, "Walk in my shoes. It's simple. Help others."
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It's an inspiration seeing so many fine designers step up for a cause. Well done all!
Best regards,
Will
Congrats Leny!
i cant believe Garza was part of this!
aWESOME!
These are some great designs. We recently posted a couple of photos others have done to customize their TOMS.
http://www.tomsshoefans.com/photos-of-custom-toms-shoes.html