Hypex

Creek Shoe for Yinghua Lu

Hypex redefines outdoor footwear by seamlessly merging functionality with contemporary style. Its innovative design incorporates safety belt-inspired elements, ensuring secure foot lockdown for maximum stability on challenging terrains. Crafted with speed-dry materials, Hypex offers a comfortable fit, superior grip, and a sleek aesthetic. This shoe stands as the pinnacle of performance and style in outdoor footwear, catering to enthusiasts seeking both functionality and fashion.

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Download Press Kit № 158178 Creek Shoe for Yinghua Lu by Yinghua Lu to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Hypex by Yinghua Lu

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Creek Shoe by Yinghua Lu

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Yinghua Lu Hypex

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Yinghua Lu Creek Shoe

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Unique Properties

Hypex is a creek shoe design that seamlessly blends outdoor functionality with hypebeast style. What sets Hypex apart is its innovative incorporation of safety belt-inspired elements for secure foot lockdown for both heel and midfoot, ensuring maximum stability even in challenging terrains. Crafted with speed-dry materials, a comfortable fitting, superior grip, and a sleek aesthetic, Hypex stands out as the epitome of performance and style in outdoor footwear.

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3D modeling shoe project

Production Technology

The outsole utilizes rubber for durability and grip on various terrains, featuring a micro pattern and lugs for micro and mega traction. Production technology allowed for precise design execution. The EVA midsole was chosen for its cushioning properties, enhancing comfort during wear. The adjustable elastic straps accommodate diverse foot shapes, enhancing stability and comfort. Iterative design methodologies were employed to ensure optimal fit and performance.

Design Challenge

The creative challenge stemmed from the desire to merge functionality with fashion in creek shoes, diverging from conventional designs focused solely on utility. Incorporating elements of the gorpcore aesthetic while ensuring suitability for river tracing presented a unique obstacle. To address comfort and stability, I innovatively integrated adjustable elastic bands inspired by the Quest 2 headset strapping system. Overcoming this challenge involved meticulous research into materials, production technologies, and ergonomic principles. Internal factors, including historical and social perspectives, influenced the desire to break away from traditional designs. External factors, such as technological advancements and production possibilities, facilitated the realization of this innovative concept, pushing boundaries within the footwear market.

Project Duration

The project started in March in 2023 in Pasadena, Los Angeles and finished in November in 2023.

Operation Flow

The shoe features adjustable elastic bands at the heel and instep, allowing for customizable fit. To loosen the shoe, users simply pull the metal pieces outward; to tighten, they push inward. This intuitive interaction simplifies the adjustment process, enhancing user experience. The design accommodates various foot types, ensuring optimal comfort and stability. This mechanism improves performance by offering a personalized fit, enhancing overall functionality and usability.

Research

Type of Research: Observational research. Research Objectives: To understand user behavior, preferences, and needs related to creek shoes for both functional and fashion purposes. Methodology: Immersive observation in real-world environments where creek shoes might be used, focusing on terrain types, user activities, and social interactions. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Direct observation, note-taking, and informal interviews with individuals engaging in outdoor activities such as river tracing and hiking. Participants or Experiments: Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and individuals engaging in river tracing activities. Results: Insights into user preferences, terrain challenges, and fashion considerations for creek shoes. Identification of the need for a versatile shoe combining functionality and style. Insights and Impacts: The research highlighted the importance of integrating fashion elements into functional outdoor footwear. It informed the design process, leading to the development of creek shoes that cater to both practical and aesthetic needs. Effect of the Research in Real-Life Phenomena: By bridging the gap between fashion and functionality in outdoor footwear, the research has the potential to influence consumer behavior, impacting product demand and market trends. Additionally, it contributes to the enhancement of user experience and satisfaction in outdoor activities.

Inspiration

The genesis of Hypex lies in my fascination with climbing ropes, safety harnesses, and the sleek aesthetics of techwear design. Motivated by a desire to marry functionality with style, I sought to create a creek shoe that have the shoe lock down system with elastic to have the freedom for all kinds for feet as well as to provide stability when crossing the slipery terrain.

Image Credits

Main image is Image #1, Rendering Imagae, Designer, Yinghua Lu, Hypex Creek Shoe Rendering1, 2023. Optional Image #1 Rendering Image, Designer, Yinghua Lu, Hypex Creek Shoe Rendering2, 2023. Optional Image #2,Rendering Image, Designer, Yinghua Lu, Hypex Creek Shoe Rendering3, 2023. Optional Image #3,Rendering Image, Designer, Yinghua Lu, Hypex Creek Shoe Rendering4, 2023. Optional Image #4,Rendering Image, Designer, Yinghua Lu, Hypex Creek Shoe Rendering5, 2023.

Project Overview

Hypex Creek Shoe has been a Bronze winner in the Footwear, Shoes and Boots Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Yinghua Lu was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Hypex Creek Shoe.

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