ICHNITE

Category: Footwear

Echoing how fossils record their sedimentary context, this design uses rough, recessed textures to capture environmental elements over time. The shoe embodies a fossil essence,retaining its form while physically carrying the debris of its surroundings. The result is a unique artifact of the environment that shaped it.To allow the shoe to carry environmental elements, I studied the formation and surface textures of fossils, observing how bones stand out from the earth upon discovery. I also looked at the visual effect of crocodile scales when covered in moss.Based on these observations, I used a contrast between rough textures and smooth surfaces on the shoe body to control where and how environmental elements attach. This design enables the shoe to record the user’s journey through the traces it collects.