MANITOBAH SANDAL
A women’s summer sandal made into a canvas to showcase Indigenous Artwork.
Search & Glide Series
This was a part of a design challenge from the Manitobah team to design a Women’s summer sandal that ties Indigenous artwork back into the product.
Summary of CADS
THE MANITOBAH BRAND
100% of all sales back to Indigenous Artisans.
$110,224 in the last year.
$500,000+ all-time to artists.
Since 2009, Manitobah has used the Winter Boots known as Mukluks and Moccasins to lead creativity and collaborate with a variety of Indigenous artists.
“Just as Indigenous people have always done, we strive to use natural materials. We continue to develop our products using materials that support Indigenous teachings of sustainability.”
INDIGENOUS ARTWORK MARKET
An area on Manitobah’s site where artists’ can sell their creations using primarily using beadwork.
PROJECT BRIEF
Concept: Indigenous Women’s Sandal
Explore how a Manitobah sandal can bring Spring and Summer style with Indigenous artwork together.
Consider the style of sandals, construction authenticity, and the artwork techniques that can exist on the product.
See how Indigenous art could be used for placement connecting community, and heritage into the design.
Deliverables:
Showcase Digital Tools
Mood & Inspiration
Sandal Concepts
Last Shape
Illustrator CADS
EXISTING LINE
Wasaga Flip Flop
Wasaga Fringe Sandal
INSPIRATION
Marie Watt, Seneca Nation Of Indians
Marie is a contemporary artist that has used her creations as opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous communities.
"Singing Everything" 2023. “Composed of blankets collected by the artist through her requests to a community for donations of both blankets and stories about the importance of each blanket to the individual or family."
"Each/Other" 2020-21. “A wolf steel figure covered with more than 700 bandanas embroidered with personal messages by national and international contributors.”
MOODBOARD
Warm, Textured
Photography:
@tyanaarviso
@paulrww
OBJECTIVES
Design to Bridge the Commute/Outdoor Sandal Category.
Implement Collaborative Opportunites.
Design Deeper Cup in Heel.
Increase Cushioning for Hard Surfaces.
Maintain a Wide Footbed Edge.
ITERATION
Quick Sketches:
Experimenting with how artwork and collaboration can appear on the Sandal.
REFINEMENT
THE LAST SHAPE
Considering the toe bar and heel cup into the design when creating the last for the sandal.
Groove for Toe Bar.
ILLUSTRATOR CADS
2PK Leather Laces:
-1 Patterned, Geometrical Bright-Colored
-1 Patterned, Neutral
FUTURE USE
Indigenous Artists can sell additional laces and beadwork to apply to these sandals online, and also collaborate with one another.
A pattern than can be easily taught and assembled, just as the existing mukluk classes for communities hosted by manitobah to customize colors and prints.