Date of Award
Spring 5-30-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Industrial Design
Department
Industrial Design
First Advisor
Paolo Cardini
Second Advisor
David Kim
Third Advisor
Gavin Engel
Abstract
This thesis is an attempt at drawing parallels between human character traits and footwear design as an evocative means to communicate character. The idea here is to translate qualitative elements of personality traits and communicate expressions through the embodiment of meaning within form in the context of footwear design. I am making an attempt at equating the meaning in form and footwear gestures that serve an emotional or functional purpose in footwear to break down the sculpture into a combination of different attributes so as to create a character taxonomy. This character taxonomy serves the purpose of assisting me in the creation of the generative system by defining its parameters in numerical values in Grasshopper. The Generative System - Totem uses these values to create sculptural surfaces that are derived from consumer character inputs and are thus, personal to every individual. Through this book, I am taking you through my journey of investigation to better tell personal human stories through footwear - a product that is an extension of one’s personality and footwear design as a form of expression.
Recommended Citation
Shivaram, Sushant, "Totem: An embodiment of human character and personality in footwear design" (2020). Masters Theses. 574.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/574
Creative Commons License
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