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Kendo Rebirth Collection

Bianca Zhuang

Responsibilities:

Research & Storytelling,

Keikogi Rebirth — Kendo Attire Development

Team Members

*This page will focus on the footwear (Tabi Rebirth) development.

Levine Zeng

Responsibilities:

Research & Storytelling,

Tabi Rebirth — Kendo Footwear Development

SOFT GOODS INNOVATION

FOOTWEAR DESIGN

14 WEEKS

FALL 2023

STORYTELLING

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Brief: Employ storytelling to uncover unexpected insights and drive innovation in developing soft goods products for a brand.

The story of the sport, the brand, and the consumer.

Let the story unveil innovations...

Sport Kendo is a traditional Japanese martial art that emphasizes swordsmanship.

1. Sports Story:

 Kendo follows stringent regulations involving

two phases:

1. Warm-up Practice

2. Fighting Practice

Its constancy lies in its unchanged garments

for centuries.

Stringent Constancy

Upper Garment

(Keikogi)

Bottom Garment

(Hakama)

Footwear Garment

(Tabi)

Outer Garment

(Bogu)

2. Brand Story:

Inventive Diversity

Founded in 1946 in Tokyo, Sony has never been

a conservative company.

 

Sony is inventive because of its wide range of

world-first products.

 

Its diverse departments across various industries

have fueled its diversity.

Age 18 — 20 in 2030.

Born in the tech era, Gen Alpha engages in a quixotic rebellion against high-tech.
 
They are embracing the 'new old-fashioned' trend in their daily routine.

They are enthralled in pursuing the balance between technology and non-technology.

Quixotic Enthrallment

3. Consumer Story:

The balance between high-tech & non-tech.

Seamless Technology

=

How could Kendo create the technology balance Gen Alpha is pursuing?

How could ritual create idealism?

+

What if Gen Alpha achieves the high-tech & non-tech balance, aided by Sony? 

What if rebellion leads to discipline?

Kendo Rebirth

A series of products that provide both the maximum lifestyle attribute and the best Kendo training experience through seamless technology.

Keikogi Rebirth

Original Keikogi

Original Hakama

Hakama Rebirth

Tabi Rebirth

Original Tabi

*This page will focus on the footwear (Tabi Rebirth) development.

The Product Line

Double-Layered Feature

The inner layer represents Kendo,

it contains all seamless technologies.

The outer layer represents lifestyle,
it's a pair of more daily-driven clogs.

Tabi Rebirth features a 2-layered design to combine lifestyle with Kendo.

Double-Layered Feature

The inner layer represents Kendo,

it contains all seamless technologies.

The outer layer represents lifestyle,
it's a pair of more daily-driven clogs.

Tabi Rebirth features a 2-layered design to combine lifestyle with Kendo.

*Consumers wear both tabis and clogs in their daily routines.

 

*During Kendo practice, consumers only wear tabis.

The Inner Layer — Tabi

Specific seamless technologies are used in specific phases to enhance performance.

1. Warm-up Phase

2. Fighting Phase

3. Charging Phase

The Haptic Vibration Sensors help the user during Kendo training.

 

When the user moves incorrectly, sensors vibrate.

 

The user will notice the vibration areas and adjust right away.

Phase 1: Warm-up Practice

*Haptic feedback technology from Sony Playstation 5.

Tech Composition

Sensor Location

Tech Visualization

Vibration

Sensor

Fabric

Recorder

Fabric

Generator

Lateral

Insole

Sensors stand by and hold still when moving correctly.

Sensors vibrate when detecting incorrect movements.

Single-person phase

User Scenario

Correct movement,
no vibration.

Wrong movement,
sensors vibrate.

Improve performance by providing immediate feedback on the user's movements.

The Fabric Recorder helps the user AFTER Kendo training.

 

It records movements and highlights the interaction parts. 

 

All data will be transmitted to a mobile app for later review & analysis.

Phase 2: Fighting Practice

*Areas experiencing pressure generate a red highlight.

Tech Composition

Sensor Location

Tech Visualization

Vibration

Sensor

Fabric

Recorder

Fabric

Generator

Lateral

Insole

The body experiences varying pressures in different parts.

Foot pressure displacement
during Kendo strike.

Multi-person phase

User Scenario

Pressure areas

Full-body projection

Pressure highlights

Mobile app

Recording access

Digital visualization
analysis

Improve performance by providing post-training data analysis & feedback.

This Polymer fabric converts heat and pressure into electricity

 

By knitting this fabric with the vibration sensors and fabric recorder,

 

we can charge the garments when walking and practicing.

Phase 3: Seamless Charging

*The LEDs light up when the fabric is being hit.

Tech Composition

Sensor Location

Tech Visualization

Vibration

Sensor

Fabric

Recorder

Fabric

Generator

Lateral

Insole

Walking creates pressure on

the bottom feet.

Insoles convert that pressure

into electricity.

Top

Lateral

Bottom

Sakura Pattern

Elastic Collar

Flex Zone

Tech Indication

Pull Tab

The Outer Layer — Clog

The layer without seamless technologies. Purely aims for lifestyle convenience & comfort. 

Bottom

Lateral

Top

Large Opening

Branding

Ventilation

Relaxed Silhouette

Herringbone Tread

Branding

Concept Visualization