Richard Kuchinsky

Some thoughts on design inspo; quing off Brand POV and product packaging... - Initial rollout 17+ stores in FL - Kit of Parts System that needed to be modular - Store footprints varied from 3'-20'+ - Freestanding and wall installations - Agressive timeline (as usual) Budder Creative #shopinshop #visualmerchandising #storedesign #fixturedesign #awardwinning #brandexperience #budderdisplays #productdisplay #pop

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Are your prototypes looking a little... scary? 👀 FFANY and the Atlanta Shoe Market are just around the corner. Is your product still missing that final "wow" factor? You’re not alone. Too often, the clock ticks down, and those last-minute details start feeling like hurdles. 30% of brands admit their designs don’t hit the mark right up until the deadline. That's where extra eyes, hands, and ideas make all the difference. Enter ReBorn Designs – the 11th-hour partner your team deserves. When things aren’t quite where you want them to be, we step in with fresh insights and practical solutions. How we help: • Rapid prototyping for that “yes, it’s finally right” moment • Extra hands on deck without the full-time hire commitment • Seamless collaboration to fit into your process, not disrupt it Want more info? Click- https://lnkd.in/eDZakJb5 P.S. ♻️ repost for anyone in crunch mode!

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🤘 A vintage beauty from 2016 For the LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE EVENT in Canada— I was their artist for 8 years strong. 🤘 We got BIG, we got LOUD---we got after it. 🤜 This design translates “destination event”— 🤜 and feels like “FOMO” if *I’m not there. 🤙 AND--It’s called branding—Where great designs RULE THE ROOST! 🚫 An important insight that I drop into EVERY “Clarity call” (SPIT BALL SESSION) is to get folks off of the idea that it’s a “T design.” Ready for a freebie PRO TIP---? When we think of it as a t-shirt design, we forget the fact that: ✅ When worn it’s a moving (human) billboard. ✅ It sends a message to other prospective “on boarders” to your brand. ✅ It conveys a message about how serious YOU are about what YOU do. So many out there cheap out and have a design that: ❌ They can’t even give away at a discount. ❌ It makes their event look shabby and substandard. ❌ They look like everyone else out there with their cheap wears. REMEMBER— 👋 Your blood, sweat and tears are in your: ✅ EVENT ✅ Apparel Line ✅ Company-Identity-Partnerships Can you really take that shortcut and sabotage yourself? 🚫 SO--- it’s *not t-shirt art!!!! It’s a STRONG VISUAL that uses a T-shirt as a delivery device. That’s the magic. 🤘 I’m Scott from Studio 669, when you’re ready to smash some doors DOWN with design work—reach out to me for a zero-obligation spitball session. P.S. Or continue to call it “t-shirt” art. P.P.S. See the design in the comments. P.P.P.S. Yes, they VAPORIZED their inventory.

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Best Olympic marathon shoes? The results speak for themselves. It's not about the shoes. It’s about the running. Technology only takes you so far. Looking “cool” doesn’t make you faster. Designers need to understand this to put good design in perspective. It's why runners make better running shoe designers. Because we know. It's all about the running. --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. By runners. For runners. #design #footwear #footweardesign #running #olympics

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🕴🏻Mannequins an important tool in visual merchandising Mannequins are integral tools in visual merchandising for several reasons: 1. Humanize Products: Mannequins help to humanize products by displaying clothing and accessories in a three-dimensional form, allowing customers to visualize how items will look when worn. This can be especially effective for showcasing the fit, drape, and style of garments. 2. Inspire Styling Ideas: Well-dressed mannequins can serve as inspiration for customers by showcasing complete outfits and suggesting styling ideas. This can encourage customers to purchase multiple items or accessories to recreate the looks they see. 3. Create Visual Interest: Mannequins add visual interest to store displays by breaking up space and drawing attention to specific products or promotions. They can be strategically positioned to highlight key items or seasonal trends, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the store. 4. Tell a Story : Mannequins can be used to tell a story or evoke a specific mood or theme within a store. Whether it's a display highlighting a particular fashion trend, a seasonal collection, or a special occasion, mannequins can help to convey the intended message to customers. 5. Showcase Product Features : Mannequins provide an opportunity to showcase specific product features, such as unique designs, textures, or details. By dressing mannequins in carefully curated outfits, retailers can draw attention to these features and highlight what sets their products apart from the competition. 6. Demonstrate Fit and Function: Mannequins allow customers to see how garments fit and move on the body, helping to alleviate concerns about sizing and fit. This can increase confidence in purchasing and reduce the likelihood of returns or exchanges. 7. Maximize Space: Mannequins are efficient use of space within a retail environment, allowing retailers to showcase multiple outfits and styles in a relatively small area. They can be positioned strategically to optimize traffic flow and guide customers through the store. 8. Consistency: Mannequins provide a consistent representation of products throughout the store, ensuring that all items are displayed in a standardized manner. This helps to maintain brand image and cohesion across different departments or sections. In summary, mannequins play a vital role in visual merchandising by enhancing the shopping experience, inspiring customers, and driving sales. Their ability to showcase products in a visually appealing and engaging way makes them an indispensable tool for retailers.

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TYR Sport, Inc. is making performance running shoes. Here's my POV as a runner and running shoe designer. It's great to see a solid performance foundation (materials, fit, quality, spec.) in these products. Making shoes is hard. The "what" is the basics. But figuring out the "Why" and "How" is the hardest job of any designer. Why should this product exist (compared to competitors)? How does the brand DNA make this design unique? Why are these the right products to make? TYR can expand into running. Dialing in the answers to these "why" questions and getting beyond the basics in design is the challenge. --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign

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If you can look at a design and can tell what tool the designer used to create it, the designer picked the wrong tool. Or, the designer isn't very good at using that tool This is my problem with the majority of "footwear design" you see on social media (and those recent Nike concepts). It's unwearable, impossible spaceship shoes that only look the way they do because of the tools used to make them. The tool is not enabling design, it's limiting it. That's not good design. --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign

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Nike and Hyperice unveil tech-enabled footwear and apparel designed to boost athlete warmup and recovery. What to know: -Nike and Hyperice have teamed up to create wearable technology designed to help athletes perform at their best throughout training and competition. Nike, with its expertise in footwear and apparel, and Hyperice, with its expertise in recovery technology, are exploring new innovations that push boundaries and enable high-performance warmup and recovery for athletes — wherever their athletic journeys take them. -The Nike x Hyperice boot is a wearable and mobile high-top shoe that offers heat and dynamic air compression massage on demand for athletes’ feet and ankles. -The Nike x Hyperice vest allows for instant heating and cooling, without the need for ice or liquid, to help athletes dial their body temperatures to their exact specifications during warmups and cooldowns. “Recovery is an important part of any athlete’s journey, but we’re hearing from athletes that this concept of ‘pre-covery’ is equally as important,” says Tobie Hatfield, Senior Director, Nike Athlete Innovation. “The footwear and vest that we’ve developed with Hyperice help get the body ready for activity, whether you’re playing for a title or you’re on your feet a lot at work." “Taking care of my body has always been an important part of my preparation as a basketball player. That commitment is what has allowed me to maintain a high level of play for more than 21 years now,” says Nike signature athlete LeBron James. “From the moment I tried the Nike x Hyperice boots and vest while they were still in development more than a year ago, I knew they were going to change the game for athletes’ warm-up and recovery.” “Since the inception of Hyperice, we have taken a lot of inspiration from Nike, from the care and innovation we put into our products, to how we connect with the athlete,” says Anthony Katz, Founder and President of Hyperice. “This collaboration is the culmination of years of work between our two brands, to deliver innovative footwear and apparel for the athlete with the goal of enhancing their performance and recovery. And this is just the start.” Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/gGVpkyh8

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**Innovation or limitation? Navigating the Thin Line of AI in Footwear Design** The integration of AI in the design process is revolutionizing how we create. It's about maximizing efficiency and enhancing communication. But there's a catch. The rise of AI tools also opens the door for amateurs to dive in headfirst, potentially losing sight of the essence of design. Designers now struggle to: - Communicate the construction. - Identify components. - Understand factories capability to execute visions. The consequences? -Wasted time -Wasted resources -Designs that miss the mark. 𝗕𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁. Foundation first. Then play. ---------------- Does this resonate? Or am I way off? #FootwearDesign #CreativityVsImitation #AIDesign #OriginalityInTheIndustry

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Storytelling + AI in Design: 10x Your Impact Attention footwear pros! 👟 Design isn't just about making something look good. It's about creating an experience, building a narrative, and shaping a connection with your audience. Today, AI is transforming how we do that. Join me at Stride USA 2025 this March in Portland where we will be talking about just that! I’ll personally be speaking on: 1. The Art of Storytelling in Design – How cohesive narratives build unshakable brand identity. 2. Leveraging AI for Prototyping – Cutting sample cycles, reducing waste, and making smarter decisions. We’ll also dive into: Digital Product Creation, Emerging Tech: xR, Scanning, Virtual Try-On, 3D Printing, Local Production & Sustainability Join a room full of innovators as we shape the future of design! Details here: https://lnkd.in/e-gHEwji. Want to make 2025 your breakthrough year? It starts with learning how to integrate tech + creativity seamlessly. See you there! PS: Repost this to get the word out to your network! ♻️

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Check out our blog! Our next installment in our blog series is the “Apparel Technical Design: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners (2024)”. Give it a read and share it with someone you know who may be interested😊 Did you learn anything new? https://lnkd.in/gG9r-jnd #ARDFashionConsulting #Fashionblog #fashiondesign

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Being a “hired gun” for other apparel brands is: ✅Rad ✅Exciting ✅Expansive ✅Imperative ✅Nothing new ✅A growth opportunity ✅Cross pollination at its finest. MORE important is making sure the Studio 669 frequency/vibration does not change. NO MATTER who I am (or you) working for/with.. stay true. 🎯Because There’s nothing worse than a design that’s equivalent to a slice of wet toast at the bottom of your sink. It’s lifeless---it’s worthless… you can’t discount it enough~~ It’s like *that Uncle that won’t leave the party long after it’s over. 📢PLEASE LEAVE! Substandard- 🎯Is a DISSERVICE to all your hard work building your brand. 🎯Is a DISSERVICE to the creative themselves that sold out along the way. ✅Organizations like BLIPSHIFT “get it”… and they VAPORIZE their inventory in the process. Their brand is NEXT LEVEL, making them very relevant in a scene where people pay for (and get) garbage design and quality. Playing the long game is just that. It’s understanding that old saying: 🎯"You NEVER have a second chance to make a first impression.” What a blast working with BLIPSHIFT, *sprinkling GO FAST into their mix. P.S. This video was a “1 and done”… it could be staged and scripted----but then authenticity flies out that silly window (-: I’m Scott Fisk and I look forward to chatting with you when you’re ready to pour high octane over your next event, brand or organization.

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Speed isn't the most valuable concept in footwear design. Clarity is. The faster people get the concept the faster you will start seeing results... 5 things top designers understand: - Trends aren’t everything - Perfection is a myth - The customer isn’t always right - Functionality and fashion can coexist. - Design goes beyond looks I embraced these after years of chasing trends and perfection. It was eye-opening. It was transformative. It led to real results. Now I help brands and designers get there faster. 💡 Want to fast-track your design process? Visit my website. 💬 DM me to learn more. 🔄 Repost if this helped you.

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Does the Market Really Care If Your Product Is Made in Canada? "Made in Canada" has long been a badge of quality and craftsmanship, but does it still hold the same value in today's global market? As someone deeply involved in the fashion and product development industry, I’ve often questioned whether this label truly impacts consumer decisions. On one hand, consumers are increasingly concerned about ethical production, sustainability, and supporting local economies. For many, knowing a product is made in Canada can be a significant selling point, reflecting high labor standards, environmental responsibility, and quality control. But on the other hand, the reality is that price and convenience often take precedence for many buyers. In a world where fast fashion and global supply chains dominate, the "Made in Canada" label can sometimes struggle to compete against cheaper, imported goods—especially when consumers are driven by cost rather than craftsmanship. So, does the market care? The answer is nuanced. It depends on your target audience. For brands focused on quality, ethics, and sustainability, the "Made in Canada" label can be a powerful marketing tool that resonates deeply with conscious consumers. But if your market prioritizes price over provenance, it may not carry as much weight. What do you think? Is "Made in Canada" a factor that influences your buying decisions or those of your customers? I’d love to hear your thoughts! #MadeInCanada #SustainableFashion #EthicalProduction #ConsumerTrends #ProductDevelopment

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Creativity isn’t an afterthought. It’s the engine. Creativity isn’t something squeezed between deadlines. It’s the foundation of innovation. Here’s what I’ve learned as a footwear designer working with brands globally: Your team’s creative time is sacred. Block uninterrupted hours for it—just like any milestone meeting. Innovation doesn’t come from doing the same thing faster. Give your team room to test, fail, and refine. Empower every voice. ↳Creativity thrives when diverse perspectives are invited to the table. The best ideas often come from unexpected contributors. Lead with clarity and curiosity. ↳Leaders who ask “What’s possible?” inspire their teams to think bigger. Creativity follows vision. Want proof this works? ↳Companies who invest in creativity as a process—not a checkbox—report 3x higher growth rates in new product categories. The future belongs to leaders who prioritize creativity. 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. PS: Ready to unleash your team’s creative potential? Let’s talk. DM me.

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The recommendations in this paint a future where Designer Brands Inc. optimizes its retail strategy by seamlessly integrating digital and physical touchpoints. This scenario envisions stores as experience hubs with technologies like AR and smart mirrors enhancing the shopping journey. AI-driven personalization anticipates customer needs, offering tailored experiences that increase acquisition and satisfaction. Predictive analytics ensure availability, while community initiatives foster loyalty, framing the retailer as both a shopping space and trusted lifestyle partner. The business innovation report on Designer Brands Inc. reviews the current market landscape and forecasts future trends. It combines strategic projections with collected data to portray a vision shaped by PSFK's AI tools. Highlighting the integration of digital and physical retail experiences, the report discusses strategies like AI-powered personalization and community engagement. Additionally, it explores significant trends impacting the retailer sector such as sustainability and omnichannel strategies, setting a roadmap for Designer Brands’ future market positioning. https://lnkd.in/eXcqbEH9

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An in-depth, behind the scenes story of a product Jordan Westerberg and I (Berg Design Co) designed. Thread on X by the Owner of PEEL, Marshall Haas. Please read the thread as it goes into much more detail on the process of creating The Touch Tool. It is interesting to see what all needs to happen to launch a product in one week. The Touch Tool is a brass keychain hook that allowed consumers to pull open doors, press buttons at the gas station, etc. without touching those things directly. This would help people reduce their exposure to germs. We designed The Touch Tool to be a lifetime product: an artifact to reflect on of what the world was like in 2020 and, most importantly, a useful tool. Machined from 100% solid brass blocks. The antimicrobial brass alloy assists the consumer's need for the product's intended purpose. To help people block and stop the spread of germs. This product was a highly needed tool for the time, it filled a gap that genuinely did not exist before. As the first of its kind, it created an entirely new market following the launch in April of 2020. The Touch Tool was featured in The New York Times, GQ, Yahoo!, Forbes, Glamour, and many more. Thread continues... https://lnkd.in/gdQhGJZp

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