Welcome to the MIAMI Vibes: AI Footwear Challenge – A Global Competition to Revolutionize Footwear Design. Created by the MIAMI Shoe Museum and Presented in Collaboration with Footwearology, a groundbreaking global competition designed to revolutionize the footwear industry. This unique contest invites visionary designers worldwide to push the limits of creativity and technology by merging cutting-edge AI with innovative design. The goal? To set a new standard for the future of footwear.
Winners will be granted a rare opportunity: their designs will be prototyped and brought to life, with these cutting-edge creations showcased at two prestigious events—Footwearise in Barcelona, Spain (Dec 2-3, 2024) and THE SHOE VAULT, at the MIAMI Shoe Museum’s Research Center, during Miami Art Basel Week (Dec 5-8, 2024).
Overall Judging Approach:
Judges will be industry leaders from the fashion, technology, and sustainability sectors, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each design. Designs will be assessed based on the criteria mentioned above, with each category contributing to a final score. Feedback will be provided to all finalists, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. The highest-scoring designs will be recognized and rewarded, with winners gaining opportunities for collaboration with leading brands and exposure in the industry.
This avant-garde challenge captures the vibrant energy of Miami, inviting designers, innovators, and tech enthusiasts to create revolutionary footwear inspired by the city’s sun-soaked beaches, iconic Art Deco architecture, buzzing nightlife, and diverse cultural scene. Step into the future of footwear design—bold, innovative, and uniquely Miami.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be 18 years or older to participate.
A non-refundable submission fee of US $85 + tax per design proposal is required at checkout. Applications submitted without payment of the fee will not be considered.
Participants may apply individually or as part of a team, with a maximum of 3 designers per team. Each team or individual may submit one design per application.
Important dates
Ai Footwear Challenge Launching: October 8, 2024
Ai Intro by Footwearology (online): October 15, 1:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM CST
Application deadline: Nov 8, 2024
Top 10 pieces Preselection announcement: November 29
Top 10 pieces Presentation at Footwearise by Footwearology. Barcelona, Spain (Dec 2 - 3)
Top 10 pieces Presentation at the MSM THE SHOE VAULT, Miami Art Basel Week (Dec 5-8)
Top 3 Winner pieces announcement: December 3
Top 3 Winner pieces prototyping process: TBA
Exclusive Designer Opportunities: Recognition, Exposure, and Collaboration
Exhibition for Finalists: The designs of the ten selected finalists will be showcased at Footwearise, Footwearology’s premier annual innovation event in Barcelona. This event draws industry leaders, innovators, and experts committed to shaping the future of footwear. The same finalist designs will be featured during Miami Art Basel Week—a world-renowned event that celebrates art, design, and culture as part of the MIAMI Shoe Museum Research Center exhibit.
Exclusive Access: Each of the ten finalists will receive free entry to Footwearise (travel expenses will not be covered by the MIAMi Vvibes challenge organizers), offering invaluable networking opportunities with key figures and companies driving footwear innovation.
Audience Voting: The Footwearise audience, composed of professionals and visionaries from across the industry, will vote to select the three winning designs.
Collaborative Production Discussion: The three winners will be part of an interactive discussion with the Footwearise audience to explore the best methods for producing their designs, utilizing the latest and most advanced technologies available.
Global Recognition: Following the initial selection process, where ten finalists will be chosen by the jury panel, the top 3 designs to be prototyped will be selected by industry experts at the prestigious Footwearise by Footwearology event in Barcelona, Spain, Dec 2 to 3. All ten finalists, including the three winners, will be featured at the MIAMI Shoe Museum Research Center during Miami Art Basel Week (Dec 5-8, 2024), offering significant global exposure. Once the top three winning designs are manufactured in 2025, they will be showcased in an exclusive exhibition at the MIAMI Shoe Museum Research Center, providing the winners with unparalleled visibility and recognition in the international footwear industry.
Judging Criteria:
Creativity and Originality, Miami-inspired aesthetic, Sustainability and Eco-Consciousness, AI Integration and Use of Technology, Functionality and Wearability, Storytelling and Concept, and Marketability and Trend Potential.
Participants must present:
· Concept Proposal: A detailed concept note explaining the design philosophy, how AI is incorporated into the creative process, and any specific challenges addressed through AI.
· A short video (2min MAX) presentation of the design proposal by the designer is required. If the video is in a language other than English, subtitles must be provided.
· Digital Renderings/Prototypes: Participants should submit digital renderings 2D or 3D, which may include AI-generated elements, and they should include at least four of the six important views of the design:
1. Top View (Plan View)
2. Side View (Lateral and Medial)
3. Front View
4. Rear View (Heel View)
5. Bottom View (Outsole View)
6. 3/4 View (Isometric View)
· Participants must provide a link to a Google Drive folder containing all the required judging materials. Please ensure that the Google Drive folder includes only the information specifically requested by the competition team for review.
· Participants must confirm that they are the sole creators and owners of the submitted design proposal. By submitting your entry, you acknowledge that the design is your original work and that you hold all rights to the intellectual property associated with it. Additionally, you agree that the design has not been copied, published, or plagiarized from any other source.
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