Air Jordan : A Legacy in Motion
(01)
More than a shoe
The Air Jordan line isn't just footwear; it's a timeline of basketball history. This motion graphics video chronicles the evolution of Michael Jordan's iconic footwear line, showcasing some of his most iconic and innovative shoe models as well as his achievements while wearing them.
Skills
Motion Design
Vector illustrations
Timeline
6 Weeks
Project Type
Motion Graphics
Reconstructing sneaker icons
The challenge was to create a compelling narrative that would showcase the unique design elements and cultural significance of each Air Jordan model.
Deconstruction animation of the Jordan 3
Constraints
Deconstructing the designs
The vector illustrations needed to capture the internal mechanics of each shoe in order to be dynamic in a 2D motion graphic.
Visual Consistency
I needed to stylize each shoe in a way that was faithful to the original design while maintaining a cohesive visual language across all five models highlighted.
Illustrations only
This project needed to be created entirely with vector illustrations in after effects. Which means that each element need to planned and drawn separately to allow for the necessary movement and transitions in the animation.
Design Process
Vectorizing the story
Using Adobe Illustrator, I created vector illustrations of each scene, ensuring that they captured the details of the original sneaker designs.
Researching the Concepts
I started by researching the most significant innovations of each shoe, the accomplishments of Michael Jordan while wearing them, and the cultural context in which they were released. Then to get a better understanding their designs, I analyzed Tinker Hatfields original sketches.
Storyboarding
Storyboarding the motion graphic was crucial to ensure that each shoe's unique features were highlighted in a way that was both informative and visually engaging. I looked at advertising campaigns for these shoes, their construction, and packaging to inform the visual narrative.
Vectorizing the story
Using Adobe Illustrator, I created vector illustrations of each scene, ensuring that they captured the details of the original sneaker designs.
Researching the Concepts
I started by researching the most significant innovations of each shoe, the accomplishments of Michael Jordan while wearing them, and the cultural context in which they were released. Then to get a better understanding their designs, I analyzed Tinker Hatfields original sketches.
Fueled by the Game
This project is the culmination of one of my greatest inspirations. From an early age, the storytelling behind basketball shoes fueled my creativity, leading to countless sketches in my school notebooks. As I grew older, learned to appreciate the engineering and culture behind them.
Illustration of the Air Jordan 4 and the Nike Stanton street courts by KAWS
