Nike Perch

Your spaces sole savior 👟

Discovery & Research

PROJECT BRIEF

It’s tough being an athlete with a pile of shoes and nowhere to put them.

Big, clunky shoe racks just get in the way, and when you’re constantly on the go, they don’t make life any easier.

That’s why I want to design a sleek, low-profile shoe rack—something that keeps things organized without slowing you down, no matter how often you’re moving or how packed your schedule is.


BECAUSE GRIND NEEDS MORE THAN JUST GEAR

Discovery & Research

MEET
CHRISTIAN

This is Christian Felix, He grew up in the small town of

Milford Ohio.


He plays football for the Milford Eagles and knows the

game like the back of his hand.


But, with early morning lifts, late-night shifts, quick meals in

between. Even with all that discipline, living in a small

apartment makes it hard to keep his gear—and his life—

together. Shoes pile up. Space runs out.


And organization? Forget it.

Discovery & Research

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE

Lack of Communication

Loss of Connection

Emotional Asumptions

"My apartment’s too small.

Shoes end up all over

the place."

"When I’m rushing between lifts and work, the last thing I need is wasting time looking for my gear."

“If my place is a mess, it throws everything off.

I can’t focus like that.”

Discovery & Research

ATHLETE & RENTING STATS

20

MILLION

U.S. college students are

frequently on the move, from

(dorm -> house -> apartment)

emphasizing the demand for

practical, portable solutions.

34

PERCENT

Of U.S. households, rent their

homes, reflecting a

a significant portion of the

population living in rental

properties.

20

PAIRS

Is the average ownership for

sports and leisure workers,

highlighting the need for

effective and organized

storage solutions.

38.5

PERCENT

Of the global athletic footwear

market is held by Nike, yet no

shoe rack exists that

meets the needs of active

lifestyles.

KEY
OBJECTIVES

1.

2.

3.

4.

IMPROVE ORGANIZATION

A sleek, low-profile shoe rack helps athletes

keep their space clean and their gear in check,

even in tight living quarters or busy schedules.

PROVIDE UTILITY

Fill a gap in the market by offering a compact

solution that fits the fast-paced, mobile lifestyle

of athletes with limited space.

CREATE EFFICIENCY

Make it easier to find, grab, and go—reducing the

time spent digging through piles of shoes. so athletes

can stay focused on performance.

SUPPORT ACTIVE LIVING

Design with movement in mind by offering something

that works where athletes live, train, and hustle—without

getting in the way.

Define & Analysis

Market Analysis Pt. 1

Storage

Compact

Large

OPPURTUNITY 📈

Low Storage

Define & Analysis

Market Analysis Pt. 2

Traditional

Moveable

Rigid

Minimal

OPPURTUNITY 📈

Define & Analysis

IMAGE BOARDS

Ideation & Process

FORM IDEATION

organic shape

Ideation & Process

MODEL ITERATION


MODEL 1 ❌

Model 1 was an informative start to the CAD ideation process


This model initially aimed to address storage concerns but ultimately failed in saving space, being quite bulky and difficult to move.


MODEL 2 ❌

Model 2 was a significant step in addressing the issues that could arise with a tall racks.


Model 2 was headed in the right direction; however, its height, width, and lack of support rendered it unsuccessful in achieving its overall design intent and raised safety concerns.


MODEL 3 ✅

Model 3 was a great learning experience throughout

the process of deciding on ideation.


This model proved to be very effective in spatial efficiency, with enough space vertically for shoe stackers, and be able to fit 3 large shoes horizontally.



Ideation & Process

FINAL PROTOTYPE

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Poplar Wood Build (Prototype in Pine)


    The final product is crafted from durable, lightweight poplar wood for a smooth, clean finish. Prototypes are currently made in pine, offering a preview of the design’s warmth and natural texture.


  • Spacious Multi-Layer Design


    Each layer is generously sized to comfortably fit up to three pairs of shoes, keeping your space tidy without compromising accessibility.


  • Fully Deconstructable for Easy Moving


    Designed with mobility in mind, the structure is fully and simply deconstructable, making it easy to transport or store without tools or hassle.




Ideation & Process

FINAL PROCESS

MOTION ACTIVATION

Perch uses motion activation to conserve battery and further drive aesthetics.



Ideation & Process

DETAIL SHOTS

Ideation & Process

NIKE PERCH

(513)-882-4806

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hornsbnd@mail.uc.edu