The shoe is designed for an active user with diverse hobbies and a lifestyle that moves seamlessly between skateboarding, casual wear, and everyday activities. This individual values comfort, style, functionality, and durability in their footwear. To meet these needs, the design incorporates a flat sole for maximum board contact and stability, a form-fitting upper to provide support and comfort, and pull tabs that allow quick and easy adjustment of lace tension for a secure fit.
A mood board guided the design direction, helping to inform key decisions. Emphasizing the principle of motion, the shoe features dynamic lines that convey forward energy and activity. Strength and durability influenced material selection to ensure long-lasting performance. ON’s visual brand language served as a central reference, aligning the design with the aesthetic and identity of their existing product lines.
Drawing on a background in skating and a clear understanding of the user’s needs, the design quickly arrived at a natural form, comparable to existing skate shoes on the market. A primary focus during ideation was integrating ON’s branding through the signature sole pass-through, while ensuring that stability and durability remained uncompromised to meet the functional demands of a skate shoe.
The final concept features faux pass-throughs on the sole, preserving ON’s iconic branding while maintaining sole integrity and providing the support skaters need for landing tricks. Pull tabs and a no-tie lacing system allow on-the-go users to quickly put on the shoe and transition between causual and athletic activities. The form balances a casual profile with material breaks and reinforcement points that convey athleticism and durability. ON’s logo is positioned thoughtfully, adding brand presence without overpowering the overall design.
The design offers five distinct colorways, each inspired by the palette of ON running shoes, ensuring a cohesive connection to the brand’s aesthetic. These options provide versatility and appeal, giving users the ability to choose a style that fits their personal taste, whether they prefer subtle, understated tones or more pronounced, bold colors.
The shoe combines ripstop nylon with a sock-fit construction, delivering durability while remaining lightweight and flexible. Reinforced rubber along the toe box and outsole enhances longevity, particularly when skateboarding. A flat sole provides maximum board contact and ankle support, while the no-tie lacing system with reinforced laces allows users to quickly transition between activities with confidence that the shoe will hold up under stress. Together, these features fulfill the design brief and ensure the shoe feels cohesive within ON’s existing product lineup.
