Computer Love: Ranks Sneakers Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed retro basketball high tops sneakers

Old School Goes NEW SCHOOL.

If you thought ChatGPT was awesome then check out Artificial Intelligence computer generated 1980s basketball style high tops with a retrofuturistic vibe over at Ranks Sneakers instagram. 🤖👟

This blog has been dedicated to mostly old school runners but we still love retro basketball high top sneakers from back in the day so we wanted to put up a post about the Ranks Sneakers account which features AI-designed 80s basketball sneakers on Instagram. The account is dedicated to showcasing the best and latest in AI-designed sneakers, inspired by the bold and stylish kicks of the 80s. From intricate patterns to asymmetrical designs, the account features sneakers that are completely new and different than anything we’ve ever seen before. It also has some totally fun, interesting and strange stuff too, like a computer generated fake Michael Jordan with a weird futuristic basketball.

It appears that in addition to ChatGPT revolutionizing the world of chat that AI is also bringing a new level of creativity in sneaker design and creating designs never seen before. With so many derivatives out there today maybe this will help sneakers break outside the status quo of overly referenced designs of the past. If you have a minute you should check out Ranks Sneakers on IG.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/rankssneakers/

New Balance MS327LAA retro runners

A couple of days ago we posted a 1982 ad for NB. Today I wanted to share a post that our buddy @trainer.spotting spotted out in the wild and passed along recently. Thanks man.

New Balance sneaker designer @charlottealee found design inspiration based on some of the NB models in the vintage 355 and SuperComp ads we've posted here on the blog to come up with a whole new hybrid model of New Balance runner called the MS327LAA. Check em out 👇

Sneaker Design School

For those who are interested in sneaker design and construction I came across this diagram today which covers the basic design elements...as they were in 1978. I've included the text below and put the list back into order.

ANATOMY OF THE RUNNING SHOE

Heel Counter (A): The inflexible material surrounding the heel area which adds stability to the heel and reduces the pronatory forces entering the heel area during heel contact.

Pull Tab (B): Small tab on heel area which allows the shoe to be pulled on the foot.

Outer Sole (C): The portion of the shoe that makes contact with the ground. It provides protection from the running surface and improves traction. Most common types are the waffle,
ripple, and transverse ridge.

Upper (D): The material covering the upper part of the shoe. Nylon is the preferred material.

Toe Cap (E): The larger foxing that radiates into the toe area, originally designed to prevent scuffing, lifting the upper material away from the top of the foot.

Midsole (F): The portion of the shoe between the outer and inner soles. Its purpose is to provide added cushioning.

Last: The basic mold around which a shoe is fashioned. In most cases it is hand-carved wood, but later-model shoes are constructed around a plastic mold.

Sale: The bottom of the shoe and can be made of different materials of various thicknesses and layers.

Insole: The inner portion of the sole that makes contact with the foot. Materials used in its construction can be either leather. rubber, or preferably, Spenco.

Foxing: The material portion of the shoe giving medial and lateral support to the sides of the shoes.

Shank Support: The small arch pad of very little use. In walking shoes it is a metal piece which runs through the middle of the shoe.

Spike Plate: A plate material placed under the ball of the foot providing a base for the spikes, when applicable.