RIGHT SIDE

“Right Side” is a project created to solve a problem well-known to skaters: the wear and tear on shoes caused by contact with the skateboard.

The objective is therefore to protect the shoe without losing the aesthetic factor. In fact, one of the challenges was to make the product not only functional but also aesthetically attractive, thanks to its essential and fluid lines.

HOW IT WORKS

Right Side is positioned on the exterior of the shoe and is held firmly in place both by the laces, which secure the front section, and by an internal tab that is held down by the wearer’s foot, thereby locking the rear section.

Watch the video below to learn more.

BACKGROUND

PERSPECTIVE VIEWS

Render di prodotto Right Side, protezione scarpe skate in TPU flessibile contro l'abrasione del grip tape — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Right Side, skate shoe protector modellato sulla scarpa, vista del salvascarpe skateboard — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Dettaglio del salvascarpe skateboard Right Side in TPU flessibile, resistenza all'abrasione del grip tape — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Right Side product design case study, protezione scarpe skate applicata alla tomaia — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Render del skate shoe protector Right Side, geometria ergonomica in TPU flessibile — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Vista posteriore di Right Side, salvascarpe skateboard contro l'abrasione da grip tape — Design by Marco De Nicolò

MATERIAL

Campione di materiale in TPU flessibile per Right Side, resistenza all'abrasione del grip tape — Design by Marco De Nicolò

TPU
The product’s intended material is Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Given its properties and ease of molding, it is the material capable of withstanding tension and abrasion without significantly interfering with the foot’s movement.

HANDMADE PROTOTYPE

Processo di prototipazione manuale del salvascarpe skateboard Right Side, product design case study — Design by Marco De Nicolò
Prototipo finito di Right Side, protezione scarpe skate in TPU flessibile — Design by Marco De Nicolò

Prototype
The prototype was created by layering thin fabric and grid-textured fibers, which were soaked in a liquid solution of PVA glue and water, to try and imitate the resistance and elasticity of TPU.

FIRST PROTOTYPE

Primo prototipo e render del skate shoe protector Right Side, salvascarpe skateboard — Design by Marco De Nicolò

TEST_1

Right Side_1
The first version of the “right side” had a slightly different structure; it only covered a part of the shoe’s side and was held to the shoe by a small tongue that went into the shoelace hole and by adhesive placed on the inside.

After producing and testing a prototype, I realized that the stability was not good and that some parts of the shoe were still affected by wear. Therefore, in the final version, I extended the structure, allowing for both greater coverage and the possibility of being secured by the laces, thus solving both issues.