Design a rock climbing lifestyle shoe that is performance driven.
TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC
Memphis Rox Climbing Gym | photo credit - @memphisroxclimbing
Adrian Cruz | 23 year old | Bushwick, NY | University Columbia Graduate | Dual Major in Political Science & Photography | Landscape Photographer and Activist
STORY LINE
Adrian suffers from ANXIETY with isolation and police brutality. The pandemic and George Floyd protests have elevated his anxiety to an all-time high.
The pandemic lockdown caused much isolation. When NYC began to reopen, Adrian found himself at The Cliffs @ Dumbo rock climbing. It was here, Adrian slowly began to find fortitude and mental strength as he pushed himself to climb every climbing route.
It was in rock climbing Adrian found his own silent fortitude to face his anxiety and push for equality within his local community and his rock climbing community.
Adrian uses his photography and activism to showcase his perspective and reality to the world.
Adrian is on grimy and dirty surfaces all day. He is on his feet all day as a New York commuter. He climbs various obstacles. Stairs, fences, trees and various surfaces to gain vantage points for his photographic style of Landscape photography.
Adrian needs shoes with protection in toe and heel caps. That are comfortable and durable. Most of all needs traction.
Structure from Train platforms that runs through Bushwick.
Intertwined fence linking to resemble the need to link together in local and climbing community.
Form and safety from equipment needed in rock climbing.
IDEATIONS
TAPE UP MODEL
ORTHOGRAPHIC VIEWS
DIGITAL RENDER
Silent Fortitude is the name of shoe design and color way honoring Adrian’s process of overcoming his anxiety in isolation and finding mental strength to fight for social equality and equity within his local community and the rock climbing community.