John Maeda and Reebok

John Maeda is professor at MIT, computer scientist, graphic designer and author. His work explores the intersection of design and technology. He has a book out called The Laws of Simplicity which I hear is a good read, but have yet to crack. His essays are quite good and his blog is pretty interesting.

He just finished up a project with Reebok, which was released already without my notice. Needless to say, I didn't get a pair of these, but I did get to hold them in my hands for a minute. I like them a lot. Though, I pine for a streamlined women's version.




(Click for Reebok Custom site which allows 360 degrees of visual lust)

From Maeda's blog:
"Tomorrow at 9AM my new limited edition shoes from Reebok will be released online. It was a really fun project working with a talented group of folks in RBK marketing and design with a true passion for the future of mass-customization. The design is themed on the 3rd law time and is codenamed “Timetanium” as a reference to the spectacular titanium tiles of Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao and flowing sinews of time represented with my algorithmically enhanced hand-drawn curves. Since I scribble the computer code on paper before I actually type it into be processed, the RBK designers suggested that I include that program code somehow so it is enscribed in the interior of the two shoes as a kind of texture (literally a text-ure). In the past the closest thing I designed was a skateboard; shoes are a new medium for me and I’m glad to have had a chance to spend some time on this project."