*Non-sponsored. The content does not affiliate with the brand.
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
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
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
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