Good design IS sexy. Why can’t function always be sexy too?
Well, it can be, but very few companies actually understand that concept like Apple does. I thought about this concept again today as I painfully walked to the running store. After the shoot I did for Nike Running in Latin America, I was inspired to run. Yes, Nick Onken now likes running. Two words that never co-existed in the the same sentence now does. After seeing these amazing pro athletes with perfect form through my lens, I figured I’d give it a try. What does this have to do with design you ask? Well, I’ve been running on average every other day since April with my lovely Nike running shoes and Nike + gadget. At this point, the insides of my shins have started to hurt. So, I walked myself to the local running store, they took a look at how I walk/run and prescribed a new shoe for me to eliminate the pain. Since I have flat feet, I’m stuck with my one and only ugly option made by Brooks.
My point(besides get the right running shoes for your feet)? Why can’t the make a functional shoe aesthetically pleasing? There are many products in this world that are functionally amazing, but the creator forgot to hire a designer. This parlays into graphic design as well. Many people think they can design a website or print piece on their own without any sort of design background. Don’t do it people! Design is a subconscious nuance that not everyone is consciously aware of. Most photographers think they can design their brand/website/promo materials themselves, and unless they were a graphic designer in a previous life, it shouldn’t be done. Design creates perception, and perception creates reality. Use a great designer to create you a great reality to your clients, a reality that appeals to them subconsciously and visually tells them who you are.
Hire a designer to put beautiful form into your function!
Have you ever considered orthotics? You can usually get insurance to pay for them… but they usually costs less than $500. They are custom to your feet and slip into any shoe. So you can wear whatever shoe you want AND you will get custom support specifically for your feet.
Don’t underestimate shin pains. Any type of non-neutral running can lead to devastating knee damage that will keep you from running forever.
Good luck!
Thanks for the tip. I only really started having problems since I started running, which is a new thing.. Hopefully the new shoes will help. Orthotics could be good, but at this point the money would be coming out of my own pocket.
also consider running on dirt/gravel trails… or at least asphalt as opposed to cement sidewalks.
I absolutely agree with you…form WITH function is a must…it is very odd that most running shoes look like budget kicks from Big 5…ah well…you know what they say…if there isn’t the bad or ugly then you don’t know what the good and beautiful looks like…
yup.
Good thoughts my friend…good thoughts.
I couldn’t agree with you more…I’m actually on your site investigating your really well put together graphics. I’m a graphic designer turned photographer, turned graphic designer to photographers…thank you for caring about design and function! I can’t tell you how many sites I’ve been on and immediately left because of poor organization…didn’t matter how beautiful the images were – I couldn’t get to them! Your style is simple and elegant…such beautiful colors and perfect choice of fonts…THANKS FOR CARING!