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Puma Innovation: Basketball x Running Concept
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innovation concept pitch
*Resolution better on a computer*




WHY FOCUS ON INJURIES?
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Enhancing performance and avoiding injury are both essential for the success of an athlete.
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While the choice of footwear may not boost a player's skill, it could play a vital role in avoiding season-ending injuries.
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Can we aim to provide a higher level of safety and longevity for our players?

A FOCUS ON NON-CONTACT INJURY.
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Even without engaging with other players, athletes often suffer non-contact injuries that occur from sudden, irregular movement of their feet.


STUDY OF 2 NBA GUARDS WITH SIMILAR PLAY STYLE
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Understanding injuries is a complex process, but we studied two players with similar playing style and compared their methods of running, jumping, and landing.


ROSE RUNNING & LANDING FOOTWORK (HEEL STRIKE)
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// Rose has a habit of running on his heels
// Lands on his heel with one leg

WESTBROOK FOOTWORK (MID-/FORE- FOOT STRIKE)
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// Westbrook mostly lands towards the front of his foot
// Lands on both feet, distributing weight and pressure more effectively


INVESTIGATING STRIKE PATTERNS & RUNNING BIOMECHANICS
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Running and landing patterns are extensively studied in the realm of endurance running. Referring to this field of research will likely have correlations to the injuries many basketball players face due to improper movement mechanics.



LEBRON'S FOOTWORK & JUMPING/LANDING MECHANICS
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// Lebron adopts a mid-/fore- foot pattern for running and landing
// His avoidance of injury is said to be due, in part, by this choice of running mechanics

ELUID'S FOOTWORK & RUNNING/LANDING MECHANICS
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// Eliud, the greatest marathon runner in history, has a mid-foot striking pattern
// This form allows his body to stay aligned while distributing impact forces more evenly



FOCUS FOR DESIGN DIRECTION
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// Implement biomechanics research into design
// Focus on the promotion of a mid-foot landing


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INTRODUCING A 3D-ELEMENT: LATTICE STRUCTURES
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// With expanded design freedom, these geometries promote greater stability and dampened impact - distributing energy more evenly and at a slower rate

USER-CENTRIC DESIGN EXPOSURE: ADAPTING TO THE NEW EXPERIENCE
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// Adopting a new movement pattern would require a drastic change in habit
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// To facilitate this, a pair of on-court basketball footwear will be complemented with a running trainer in order to maximize the player's exposure to the new technology




VISUAL PROTOTYPES
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// Restricted to a small build size due to the limitations of the printer, these miniatures exist to visually differentiate varying structures in 3D-space.




INVOLVING RUNNERS & HOOPERS INTO OUR CREATIVE PROCESS
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// Interviewed professional runners and basketball players in order to gather more insight and improve upon the initial concept

// Spent time in high school adapting to a forefoot running pattern
// Experienced increased stress on the calves and performed strength training accordingly

INSIGHTS FROM SEAN

INSIGHTS FROM KIRAN
(HEEL STRIKER)
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// Suffers from chronic knee pain & major knee injuries
// Is a heel striker willing to rework his landing pattern for a safer method of movement

INSIGHTS FROM INDERBIR
(FOREFOOT STRIKER)
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// Suffers from no major injuries but feels greater expenditure of energy with forefoot landing
// Reworked his running mechanics in high school

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
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// With new feedback from professionals and further discussions, we refined the essential components and began to consider more detailed elements to the design



FOCUS FOR THE NEW DESIGN DIRECTION
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// More support in the mid-foot area with specialized components for the respective sport
// Stability and impact force distribution were prioritized

FINALIZING 3D-CUSHION:
PUMA DNA
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// Further enhancement of the Puma injection-molded 'LQD Cell' and 'Xetic' midsole
// This 3D-architecture will not only provide unique responsiveness but also it will visually engage the user to engage with the technology













PROJECT WAS PRESENTED TO PUMA CREATIVE HEADS
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// Thom Gridley ( Global Creative Director )
// Jeremy Sailee ( Puma Hoops Creative Director )
// Romain Girard ( Innovation Director )
// Chris Vella ( Senior Footwear Designer )

VIDIT SINGH​
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// Basketball & Innovation
// 3D-Modeling
// Sketching

NOLAN KIM​
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// Running & Innovation
// 3D-Modeling
// 3D-Printing
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