Is Kanye West a Good DESIGNER? Yeezy Design Analysis

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This video was made prior to the recent antisemetic statements made by Kayne West. We condemn these antisemetic statements as abhorrent, offensive, and unacceptable.
Is Kanye West a good designer? In this video, we analyze some of his design work for Yeezy. A lot of these shoes go against every design instinct I have...and that's exactly why I love them.
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0:00 Intro
0:55 Why Yeezys are Different
3:26 Kanye Challenges Norms
4:18 The Benefits of Being an Outsider
6:00 Transcending Categories
7:00 Kanye Hires The Best People
7:37 Musical Influence on Design
8:55 Foam Runners Design Analysis
13:36 Should Kanye Be Taken Seriously?
14:15 The Key to Kanye's Success in Design
All content written by John Mauriello. John Mauriello has been working professionally as an industrial designer since 2010. He is an Adjunct Professor of industrial design at California College of the Arts.
Bradley Heath (editor): / bradley-heath-032299109
Some of the footage is from the following youtube channels:
Seth Fowler: • The CRAZIEST Shoe of 2...
Weartesters: • Yeezy Foam Runner Review
Elliot Page: • What Happened To These...
BryceKicks: • 10 Easy Ways to Wear t...
Yeezy is Kanye West's design brand with Adidas. Industrial designers, shoe designers, and footwear designers design shoes for Ye. Yeezy 350 v2, Yeezy 700, and Yeezy Foam Runner Foamrunner are all shoes that Kanye West has designed. Kanye West "Ye" is a famous musician, but does that translate to good design? Steven Smith worked as a designer for Reebok, Nike, and New Balance.

[@showmevids1984]

Biggest take from this video: people will find a way to rationalise anything if it’s made by the right person

[@daano465]

basically. These shoes work because Kanye made them. That should say enough about its design. Pretty much all his arguments were rediculous. The shoes are shocking and everyone will look at them? Wow, I could design a shoe that looks like a pile of shit, and everyone will look at it. Succes!

[@maykomarquez]

Yeah, they look like crap lol So if I design something stupid looking and it’s “different” from the others. Then I’m a genius designer

[@ComradeSid]

@@daano465 I mean it’s pretty subjective a lot of people like the street wear and futuristic look that older generations despise.

[@ericdavis402]

@@daano465 you're wrong. Crocs were different and had no celebrity attached to them....if enough people buy it then it becomes a trend or the "norm'. I personally never owned a pair of Crocs because I think they're horrible looking.

[@daano465]

@@ericdavis402 I never said shoes can't succeed if no celebrity is attached to them. Obviously they can. that is however the case with these shoes

[@kuya5000]

at almost every point in time in this mans career whether it be music, fashion, footwear, he was always seen as polarizing yet later on you look back and come to appreciate what he's done either way. it shows in his music and his interviews significantly as well. also i feel like i've heard so many ppl have to add the disclaimer that they don't agree with everything he says but...

[@Design.Theory]

In regards to the disclaimer, that's because he has said some pretty off the wall stuff. I agree with almost everything he says about creativity. I disagree with him on many other things. Kanye is a very smart guy, but he's far from perfect.

[@klickj26]

*wears MAGA hat* "I dont agree with everything he says..." people are P7ssy's bout this kind of stuff

[@J868584]

my problem with that is the disclaimer makes this super extra like you are so being scared of judgement plus why would anybody automatically agree with everything Kanye says just because he is a fan or he like kanyes music/clothing/sneakers

[@J868584]

it is like you have to voluntarily and proactively prove that you are innocent just because you like Kanye.

[@J868584]

Also, I'd like to point out that yeezy sneakers (espiecally eveything after 350s) reminds me of those monsters in ultraman (which reflects on the point the video makes about prehistoric creatures)

[@OutOfNamesToChoose]

To my eye, the 350s seem like the sweet spot between creative and 'socially acceptable' shoes to wear. I'd love the foamrunners if they wouldn't catch so much attention; I have flat feet and really value comfort. Regardless, I think the best work is still to come from shoe/clothing designers who will be inspired by Ye's creative freedom and make things in the midpoint that can be worn en mass.

[@joveezus1347]

Well that’s because the 350’s were designed after the Nike roshe run

[@Kw-oh9jk]

Yea foam runners are waaay to flashy reason why I don’t like wearing them as much

[@msabccbscnnoanfoxnews]

The best is here to come. No, Kanye is done for.

[@islixxn]

@@msabccbscnnoanfoxnewstake ur meds schizo

[@robdoms45123]

If it wasn’t for his brand name they would sell nothing more than 10-50 units.

[@kenallen8213]

Facts! I'm in the minority. I think his brand of sneakers are some of the weirdest most bizarre and even down right ugly sneakers I've ever seen. It's success is only tied to the fact that this is a Kanye shoe. If these were on the racks of a discount shoe store for 20 bucks nobody would even be talking about them. But hey, to each is own.

[@SoulSearch11110]

​@@kenallen8213so you haven't tried them?

[@MilesRCH]

Why do you think other celebrity brands have taken hold in the same way?

[@TheWutangclan1995]

The design of Yeezy's shoes are starting to become a timeless silhouette. I haven't seen a shoe that's not Nike or Jordan rivaling the Jordan 1. Almost everywhere I go, or whenever I'm on social media there will be people wearing 350s, 700s, or foam runners.

[@GhostSniper3]

Vans old school

[@fujifilm5127]

bruh, just get some nice leather boots for like 500 dollars less. they'll last you a lifetime and you can even step in puddles ad NOT have to be carried over mud. see a puddle? just walk right through it. future is now.

[@chairmanm3ow]

what do you think timeless means

[@MarcAlain261]

​@@fujifilm5127 bro, people are buying sneakers to look cool not so they last a lifetime.

[@Jean120483]

@@MarcAlain261 ad what does our human society call those types of people?? Yeah...............

[@eedacunha]

I’ve used the foam rnnr’s, since i saw them i liked it, for the looks, for the design and material, they are are highly confortable to walk for prolonged time (5 hours non stop), their support on the heel area because of the geometry that it has it works as an literal shock absorber and also the entire sole wears less than a normal sneaker, like it distributes your weight on the aditional surface area to lessen the total load. Engineering wise this shoe is one of the best proposals of a durable, economic and ecofriendly shoe on the market, i suggest you to give it a try and sees for yourself.

[@Design.Theory]

It's not really my style, but the technology and thinking behind the shoe is what fascinates me about them

[@Square1nes]

@@Design.Theory i feel the same but i like the 350s i want to own a pair one day

[@TheSena931]

Hello, I don’t really understand how it would fit without any lacing system or crocs-like strap, could u please give me some advice on the sizing ?

[@12thlane59]

@@TheSena931 TTS, the other day I found a post on Reddit that you can actually shrink these shoes in the dryer to make em fit you better...

[@TheSena931]

@@12thlane59 oh nice thanks man

[@dinkaboutit4228]

Kanye West's one and only talent is believing that the last thing that crossed his mind was a work of genius. Not just telling himself, BELIEVING it. It's a powerful skill. If you allow it to be.

[@texasmade9722]

Facts

[@imdoingokay]

Yeah, his one and only talent, aside from rapping, singing, designing, discovering new artists to work with, and grow themselves as artists, marketing, producing classic instrumentals…

[@Gelu345]

Yes! Next in line after Kanye is Einstein, Pasteur, Michelangelo..etc. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Onyeubanatu]

Now this!!! I loved everything about it and as a creative, this was very inspiring. Greetings from the creative and design community in Nigeria!

[@CaliKiid714]

Props to Adidas for letting Kanye and his design team basically do whatever they want lol. The range of shoes they have designed is insane if you look at it. The evolution of the casual knit shoe (350 V1/V2, 450), Basketball (YZY QNTM), retro (700 V1/V2), and now futuristic minimalistic (Foam Runner).

[@apag764]

aged very well

[@sqrapz]

@@apag764 lolw

[@BIGcoxMAN]

ugliest shoes ever made man.. you just have poor fashion sense.

[@dlilwon]

Wooof this did not age well 🥴

[@Lurkartiist]

I think he's a good designer but like all designers he creates bricks too sometimes . it happens . the problem is when people act like he can't miss , even though that's just not the case.

[@PaladioBlaze]

Or how they act like the designs shouldn't have any criticism.

[@kv9574]

As a Kanye fan I must agree with this. It’s not bad because it’s Kanye’s, and it’s not good because it’s Kanye’s.

[@user-yj7cu5sk2w]

the mans overwhelming confidence in himself is infectious, i think thats why.

[@PaladioBlaze]

@@user-yj7cu5sk2w that part I'll NEVER criticize! We need more of that.

[@fred_e]

he's not afraid

[@notmyrealaccount8564]

I’ve always preferred design that comes from the more artistic creators who tend to have near free reign over the brief such as Peter Saville. You could argue he is more artist than a designer but that’s when I think the most interesting work gets done. It’s probably their narcissism and often mental health issues that makes them more likely to break rules and be outsiders, often working alone out of necessity rather than anything else. The difference with Ye is that he had almost infinite fame and resources before his career as a designer began which Saville did not. Sometimes the struggle of being an unknown creates opportunities and ideas that can’t come from someone within the industry but someone who has the ability to do whatever they want can make something amazing and while I wouldn’t wear them they are definitely interesting creations.

[@Lyy0n]

I wouldn't necessarily attribute more freedom to mean more artistic.

[@donovanbingham]

Really. This wasn't the first video talking about his designing I've watched today. And I'll say this. Garbage in. Garbage out. They're crap. They're unattractive. Overpriced. And well grandiose. But be a poor person spending money enriching a rich classless person (and of course he's not alone). You all just keep bowing to garbage. Spending money on it. Then encouraging others to do the same. There's nothing grand or remotely aesthetically amazing happening here. Hence. Garbage in. Garbage out. BTW. I own several of Kayne's albums but I'm not doing this "Emperor's" new clothes bit.

[@dickolatemccabe2509]

kanye is not the designer for his shoes, let alone all of yeezy. He is creative director, with some influence on design, and also has the ability to stop a product and ask it to be reworked. I think his designers on the yeezy and adidas team need more credit

[@arnold2428]

Steven Smith is really the brains behind Yeezy design.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Creative Directors have heavy involvement in the design process. I don't understand what you mean as he mentions those designers. End of day the brand is his baby

[@Design.Theory]

Jony Ive or Steve Jobs didn't actually do the design work for Apple products. They set the vision. It's the same with Kanye and Steven Smith (their head of design)

[@age-ben4910]

Kanye is the one that sketches out the first concepts of all his products and designs. There are literally pictures out there of him doing this. He went to school for design, he is an actual artist/painter in the literal sense. He does have a team of course and a main head designer of his companies.

[@age-ben4910]

Kanye is the one that sketches out the first concepts of all his products and designs. There are literally pictures out there of him doing this. He went to school for design, he is an actual artist/painter in the literal sense. He does have a team of course and a main head designer of his companies.

[@narheanrg1949]

The foam runners were crazy for me cos when I first saw them I hated them. However, slowly they began to grow on me and the outlandish design combined with the fact that most people around me didn't like them made me appreciate them so much that I ended copping a pair to wear myself. 0 regrets as they are so extremely comfortable and I don't even wear slides anymore. They are also really nice in person imo and I think ppl are stuck in the "normal stuff" box that they don't agree with anything outside of that box. Luv Kanye and most of his designs just wish some of his sneakers were more polychromatic. Great video btw

[@psalmthegreat4412]

Yeah they got multiple colors of them. And I think I’m design launching,, it’s like one who sells organic soap… you gotta make sure first print out hit the nail on sale ‘fore aggrandizing and supplying them in battalion at the market

[@holeefuk413]

Nah man they just look ridiculous 😂

[@babkeebabkus8177]

@@holeefuk413 they're the sort of comfortable looking foam sh!t that nurses and hospital orderly like to wear...similar to crocs which I dunno about these days but decades ago lots of people working in the hospital were wearing

[@arturintete2461]

They’re still just ugly

[@AspireGMD]

@@holeefuk413 They look like they were designed by a toddler off a tab of acid.

[@m.s.9744]

If Yeezys cost $1.99 at Payless or were designed by John Tesh, Status chasers wouldn't give them a second glance. 🤔

[@Angelstar7774]

This is a stan video. If they weren’t designed by kanye - you’d be laughed out of the room for wearing “yeezys” 🙄

[@vinnyseed1142]

This was a really nice analysis, I think you hit the nail on the head with why Yeezy design works (and why maybe it sometimes doesn't). It's simultaneously engaging and disconcerting just like Kanye himself. Yeezy is anti fashion, it's challenging and awkward but yet functional and stylish. It's almost indescribable but you did a really good job, I really enjoyed the tie to prehistoric creatures and I totally see the connection.

[@Design.Theory]

Thanks for the nice comment, Vinny. I appreciate you!

[@suryakiran3085]

It looks like he stole work of some AI or you know ..

[@elijahheart9103]

@@Design.Theory you tried to force us to like trash. If you want to buy clothes from a trash can that's your business

[@Alessandro-hu4iy]

you're american... right? 🤣

[@AspireGMD]

@@Alessandro-hu4iy Americans like Jordan's, not garbage yeezy's. Usually.

[@CaptPicard81]

I like that him and his team take big swings, but a lot of these don't land for me personally. But I think these designs will influence something extraordinary down the line

[@pbear1988]

Tbh they already have that influence. In conversation about sneakers or shoe design it’s inevitable that YEEZY’s will come up alongside classics like Jordan’s, Stan Smiths, and Chucks.

[@Aaron-xh8vd]

they already are influencing other designers though

[@AspireGMD]

@@pbear1988 Yeezy's have lost 98% of their hype, I haven't heard people mention them in years. They don't have anywhere near as much influence as Jordan's, not anymore at least.

[@pbear1988]

@@AspireGMD Idk if you’ve been in a high school or on a college campus any time recently but Yeezys are everywhere. I’m not saying the brand or silhouettes are as iconic as Jordan but they’ll be in the same convo.

[@markmccullough1270]

I'm nearly a year late to this video but have to say a BIG Thank You for such a well rounded, considered and detailed piece of work.

[@lalainamimi]

I'm a fashion designer too and I can say Kanyes designs are not chaotic at all. Within his specific vision the shapes, lines, materials and proportions are totally on point. His Yeezy slides are the best designs on the market for several reasons. If you don't like his taste it's another thing. But he's a visionary designer and stylist. No denial. As many other designers he is not that good in styling himself though 😅

[@ghostface_d3607]

People don't care about design. They care about whether or not the rest of the people in their social groups will think they're cool for wearing it. It's like needing to have the best iPhone even when you know nothing about tech and can't list a single difference between the phone you want and what's in your pocket. At the end of the day, these shoes range from literally unwearably strange to looking like a basic shoe. But the only thing that matters it's if they're expensive/exclusive enough to seem cool for just having it, or if it's endorsed/created by someone cool. It's best to not try and digest these kinds of things since even if Kanye himself came out and went "I was just fucking with y'all to see if y'all would buy it (and he's done similar things before)" the fans would still find a way to call it genius. Everything is what you make of it

[@cjj4581]

best comment on here

[@AspireGMD]

That's just yeezy's in general lol, unlike jordans who are an established and successful brand yeezy's were just a hype train for a couple years, they've completely collapsed after they starting making garbage like these and the 700's

[@Trollika_Devi]

Or if their sanity will be questioned.

[@justme3894]

True....you have Said it all

[@tendoukiryu6989]

Underrated comment. There’s no need for videos like this to over analyze Yeezys. It’s literally a hype brand because it’s Kanye. There’s many of other shoe brands with weird cheap unconventional designs that are completely under the radar.

[@martinjansson1970]

10:40 poulaines has practical roots. There were initially two reasons they became popular, with wealthy men: 1. They were easy to use with stirrups. 2. They where easy to combine with an outer shoe made entirely in wood, or as a wooden sole with a strap. As with the stirrups, the pointy tip made it easy to slip in and out of this outer shoe, and, as with the stirrups, the length of the toe made it less likely that you would accidentally slip out of the outer shoe. Of course, later they also became popular with people that wanted to look like they could afford a horse, or ride a hourse, but couldn't. They lost their initial purpose, and became ridiculously excessive. Most pointy shoe fashion trends (for men) has a background in horseback riding, just look at cowboy boots for another example.

[@openmike4559]

You gave an amazing unbiased analysis of Kanye’s fashion designs. I love Kanye’s music, never understood his fashion or shoes, but this gave me a better understandings. Thank youZ

[@nooster125]

Subbed! As a designer my self I love this type of content you present your opinions AS opinions. That's how design should be looked at everyone can have his own interpretation. I didn't agree on some points that you've made and that's ok that's design.

[@JonathanStephenHarris]

Isn't this just the croc shoe made cooler? I don't think he invented the crock shoe??!!

[@Piece4]

"the crock shoe"

[@Piece4]

They are nothing like crocks bro u blind?

[@JonathanStephenHarris]

@@Piece4 🤣They are dude, they are..

[@jirou6228]

@@Piece4 it is as ugly and unique as crocs bruh and even crocs look better 🤣

[@mirkowo1327]

@@jirou6228 FIND GOD

[@normalgirlcvco]

As an Architect the bathroom sink he "designed" for his and Kim's House was gorgeous, minimalism at their best

[@WAdams-ps9st]

Mate, whats the point of creativity if the shoe is still ugly?

[@syx0895]

Ugly sells well

[@Design.Theory]

watch the video and you'll find out :)

[@izaiahcampbell629]

Because it’s something different it’s always good to express yourself creatively even if it’s ugly or not that’s the way new ideas are made everything doesn’t have to be perfect and the same it gets boring

[@boogeyman8723]

Because you can, that’s why. If u got the means, u can do what u want. Whether we think it’s ugly, i doubt he cares cos there’ll be some who find it cool or new or resonate with it.

[@WAdams-ps9st]

@@boogeyman8723 What are you saying? Is there or is there not good and bad taste?

[@ple8379]

As an artist, I understand that he constantly tries to create something new, weird and unconventional, he breaks the boundaries, is free to do whatever the hell he wants and gives no damn about whatever someone is saying about whatever HE wants to make. I honestly find it admirable, that he's able to just push aside everything in order to make his art. As a potential customer however, I don't give a damn whatever he cares or doesn't care about in making a product that's meant to be bought by said customer. I might thing that's admirable, but I'm still not gonna buy it if I think the design is straight up ugly to me. This goes beyond just a product, it's an art form, and every art form belongs to a niche of some sort. Like his products does. It won't be very popular, but I'm sure there will be people who would love it.

[@carterkay4718]

Really love this video. Huge inspiration for me thesis project. Would be super cool if you did more design analysis’ of sneakers.

[@wolffang489]

I find it interesting that to me the foam runners look better worn than in those lightbox glamour shots. It's like they're telling me themselves that they're fashion, not gallery art.

[@walkinmn]

As a biologist I don't think you have to go as far as the Cambrian era to see the inspiration, when you showed the different shoes he has made, it reminded me immediately a lot to sea slugs (which is just a common name for a few types of invertebrates) and other types of marine invertebrates and even some fishes. In general I agree with your take, Kanye's designs are very on point with his artistic persona, very bold, agressive and sometimes primal, but somehow it works. I can see the well thought design on them but having said that I just don't like his shoes, I wouldn't wear even the most "normal" of them, their shape is not something that I find pleasant to wear and be part of my look, add to that, that as a human being I don't like him or respect him, and then the ide of giving him money is not something that I would do ever again.

[@Design.Theory]

I definitely took a little bit of poetic license with the cambrian thing. You're right, there are plenty of weird creatures that exist today that would have serve the point. I also don't like his shoes and probably wouldn't wear them. I might wear the knit runners? They're kinda interesting. Or maybe the 350s. But idk. I'm not in love with them. Like I said in the video, I do respect what he's trying to do for all the reasons you're mentioning, as well.

[@getsmartquick]

@@Design.Theory now knit runners are nice like sexy uggs or something

[@grqfes]

biologist beefing with kanye?? ⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@walkinmn]

@@grqfes lol no, of course he doesn't even know me or cares what I think and I definitely don't care enough about it either

[@eedacunha]

Take into consideration that the material that the Yeezy rnnr’s are made from algae, it has a lot relation with the sea, the material being algae, the looks of it has coral and the waves. Final touch would be that the shoes always try in every angle to group 3 holes or make 3 lines like the adidas logo.

[@vlad-igor]

Precise, clean, harmonious, lines, art nouveau, nature, hierarchical logic proportions, living creature, unique, chaotic-patterns, primordial, prehistoric cambrian era, ancient, futuristic, alien, asymmetrical fluidity, comfortable, rounded toes, excessive detail, weird, sea urchin fossil, skeleton, radical-lifelike, creative,

[@rc....]

Grabbing attention doesn't mean anything, a small girl throwing tantrum will get attention, a stinking dirty person will get attention, a skilled musician basking will get attention.... getting attention doesn't mean anything. This isn't a put down on the shoes but on this video.😂

[@Nnnope]

I really think sandals need a complete redesign to make them fashionable, and this is one step in the right direction.

[@syx0895]

And function??

[@Nnnope]

@@syx0895 please elaborate

[@GAVINNNNNNNNN]

@@syx0895 as the video states, not only are they easier to produce but are more form fitting and arguably more comfortable than traditional sandals.. They function as a sneaker with extreme breath ability.

[@49er16]

Like those monstrosities are "fashionable"? They're hideous. Anyone that walks around in them looks like a buffoon or a child.

[@Troy_K]

I like to compare his work with LV and Nike to his stuff now, Kanye putting his influence into "anti-fashion" was probably one of the greatest revelations in modern footwear. A new standard has definitely been set for wearability, marketability and inspired design amongst brands that also work in the zeitgeist, reminiscent of how Peter Moore and Tinker Hatfield revolutionized basketball shoes with the early Jordan line. People who follow the culture know a battle was definitely won when the Foam-Runners surpassed the Foam-posites. 😅

[@getsmartquick]

True but the shoe is ugly current one it's degeneracy art. What I like about Hatfield he was an engineer which explains the aesthetic of the original Jordan shoes you really see the art and beauty in it

[@Design.Theory]

yup. the only thing thats sorta unfortunate is that foam runners have some pretty interesting innovations from a manufacturing/recyclability/assembly perspective...but those qualities are completely overshadowed by how insane they look.

[@Troy_K]

@@Design.Theory As I understand, the Yeezy Slides (an EXTREMELY safe design) are made in the exact same manner but released much more frequently than the more Foam Runners, making them kind of a halo for that technology, so props to Adidas for that at least, really hoping they can work the philosophy across their whole line-up.

[@Barten0071]

"Is Kanye West a Good DESIGNER?" only talks about appearance except for a small mention.

[@ishimwepatrick4721]

Thanks again for your time to give us those news

[@itsjonesh]

I don't dislike it or like it. I'm just asking myself "why" everytime I see the shoe.

[@MegaShrooom]

One could say the "why" is the essence of what makes his designs so good.

[@grmanruiz]

the answer is "why not"

[@oventree]

if you step into a pair you'll understand, they're weirdly the most comfortable shoes i've ever worn, and i test a lot of shoes with different cushioning technologies. plus they're very resilient and durable. scratches can mostly be fixed with a hairdryer because the foam can mold when heated, and you can wash them in a sink if they're covered in dirt. the crazy holes and proportions also work very well to pad the sides and tops of your feet while still allowing for lots of ventilation. if i had the power and wealth to give one pair of shoes to every person on earth it would probably be a pair of foam runners.

[@ginopillon]

Thanks for this video and your channel in general. I am a footwear designer and beatmaker myself. I think we all should learn to be non-judgmental in subjects like design and music. What I mean is that we should have our own opinions but also try to accept different point of views, for example people who buys Kanye's shoes even if we might hate them. Design is such a complex matter, especially when emotional, subjective aspects meet with objective ones like function, industrialization etc. It is a very hard and ambitious goal to constantly try to got them all together in a "good" way. Also, being designer as a job is a totally different case of being a designer because of previous fame exploitation. But whatever we can think and explore, I really think we should try to be too harsh in too simplistic and polarized judgements like "good or bad".

[@kf4778]

This video is a tutorial on how to convince yourself that trash is good.

[@mikaelschaefer7720]

They also fall apart easy just trash shoes with expensive price not actually worth it unless your wanting to show off how much you throw away on trash shoes

[@AngelKmusic]

Thanks for making this video!! I really enjoyed watching it! Love the perspectives you shared! Feel so inspired listening to your analysis~!

[@JTM610]

Someone who constantly seeks to design products with a polarising design ultimately loses my interest

[@Nate-bd8fg]

At one point it removes itself from "trendy" to "overly attention grabbing" and I feel that's the point these yeezy's have reached

[@kuya5000]

that makes no sense lol, explain the gap hoodie explain the puff jackets explain the ____ you could go on and on with his tons of products that are just as much simple

[@comeradecoyote]

I concur. To chase novelty, for novelty's sake, to want to stand out just for the sake of going against the grain ultimately doesn't get you very far. Especially when you do so as an outsider, or without understanding the underlying technics of what you're manipulating and working with, can lead to a lot of work that fails on a technical level, it's a flash in the pan that get's interest, but in terms of lasting effect, or interest, it wanes and fails. This isn't to say going against the orthodox way of doing things doesn't have it's merits, but I think you really have to understand the theory ungirding what people are doing, and make specific decisions and moves to support your arguments against that thing.

[@Nate-bd8fg]

@@kuya5000 puffer jackets are a modern staple? Not at all polarizing, at one point they were but they kept making them, same with all your other examples. Yeezy is different because he's constantly changing into "the next big thing" like 3 weeks later

[@kuya5000]

@@Nate-bd8fg that's the exact point i'm making??

[@MultiHeywatsup]

i can take a dump on a plate and some people would call it art 😑 that's how desperate we are to be different

[@eileenha4833]

The goat finally received a pair of sneakers by my son for Christmas and I love them because I struggle with comfort. I guess Ye thought let’s make these for the young and the older folk!

[@Tuggio]

Nice

[@thezenguy9509]

Wow. I never had any interest in Kanye but these designs are so inspiring, thanks for sharing!

[@Design.Theory]

I also find Kanye's work pretty inspiring. I appreciate you checking out the vid :)

[@Design.Theory]

@John Baptist did you make it past the 14 second mark of the vid? I'm a big fan.

[@zbeast]

I don't think that they were designed as much as they are the result of running a shoe shape run through Autodesk Finite Element Analysis software... If you did that, this is the shape and look it would generate...

[@dantalian269]

Giving the credit to Kanye himself for the designs, instead of the designers that actually work for him, is it like giving credit to art museums instead of artists themselves. Essentially, he is just a sponsor, but he is in no way actually responsible for the visual language of his drops. That should solely be attributed to the designers who actually came up with those designs.

[@OkByeNw]

Most of his shoe designs are basically heavily influenced by H.R. Giger. It's biomechanical. He's just referencing a design philosophy that's been around for about 50 years.

[@willowtree7326]

The foam runners are really the only ones that stand out to me, but I do really like them. they remind me of a lot of 3d printed sculptures I saw when 3d printing was just becoming a thing.

[@quarailhale5716]

Also not mentioned, but Kanye explained part of the design in his Joe Rogan interview. The tongue of most shoes begins to lean to the side after much wear, and if you look at the foam runner from an aerial view the opening hole where you put your foot in is the same shape as normal shoes when the tongue is leaning to the side. He just followed the ergonomics of the foot. He also said he feels like Steve Jobs trying to take the home button off the iPhone since he really wants his shoes to be without laces

[@Design.Theory]

Yeah I listened to that interview, it was so great. Thanks for pointing this out. It didn't make the final cut of the vid but I'm glad you posted it in the comments.

[@samuelpetts1367]

Ergonomics of the foot? The flat shoe army would like a chat to you. The shoes look like Ai designed them. Disconnecting the foot from the ground is not healthy.

[@stylesheetra9411]

@@samuelpetts1367 cant belive people never picked up this Just use a standard CAD software, draw a shoes and let the ai remove the useless material and you get something like the foamrunners

[@samuelpetts1367]

@@stylesheetra9411 and can't you tweak the parameters to which the Ai removes the material? It's just looks like he got high while using cad 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Love the comparison with Cambrian era life forms

[@peterhamm5642]

The most important thing about yea easy shoes is that they are comfortable and flexible colourful abstract you can wear them on a beach to a party anywhere that's what's great about them

[@w.7474]

I don't like Yeezy back then but since I got my first Yeezy, I definitely fell in love with them. Kanye do something new and that's why peoples hate him but I love him. He brought so many new things that peoples are afraid to try or they'll get hated on but not Kanye, he's brave to try new things and peoples that really into his works are really interested.

[@kynaleonardo1829]

The real reason they're "good" is it fits his brand and he has capital. There are TONS of designers that do these works. I disagree that this is some special work that designers do not do. People of course, only see the success of ones that have the money to push these ideas.

[@ladboii2901]

Hello! A newbie to your channel here. It's uncommon to see a design critique channel on youtube so... Hope your channel keeps growing

[@seanseams6308]

I think the pointed shoe thing is also derived from limitation, how round / un narrow can you make a shoe until it’s just not appealing anymore

[@raffiminasian7160]

Great video John - always thought provoking. Here are some of my thoughts on this... All creative risk benefits from self-directed follow through. Most corporate offerings are chewed on for so long they get ruined by launch time. Kanye represents the best and worst of this level of egoic determination - to prove the idea is deserving of scaled existence. Kanye doesn't want to just make his ideas, he wants the world to experience them even if he says he doesn't care. if it were true, just make one. It's important to recognize him as a cultural sensationalist who leverages the tools of media, social behaviors, and design to scale his sense of self. I don't discredit any of his achievements, but his media empire owes a lot to the audience he's manipulating while pretending he doesn't care.

[@Design.Theory]

yeah I went a bit overboard on the Kanye fan boying in this video. I listened to dozens of hours of interviews when researching this video, so I probably got a little brainwashed. The guy is very charismatic. Anyway, I agree that Kanye is manipulating us. However, perhaps a kinder word is trying to influence us. Manipulating implies that the message is negative or against our own best interests, like we're being conned. While Kanye may have those intentions, I like to think that he (and most people) are generally trying to make the world a better place. Greed can most certainly get in the way of that, and maybe my position is a bit naive. But I think it's a healthy outlook either way.

[@jjjjmonkey]

@@Design.Theory Some people just make too much money. Doesn't always work for them.

[@openmike4559]

@@Design.Theorywell put. This is the only video I’ve seen of yours, you’re already doing big things for sure, but you are destined greatness. So smart and your ability to relay and analyze information is so good. Thank you.

[@cluelesstooth4552]

It's really a difficult line to draw as art is subjective and meaning/context can be slapped onto anything to extrapolate beauty from it. How does one quantify beauty? What's the standard beyond objective measures like function. That's why I think art criticism is a delicate subject as perception can distort appreciation. It happened to Van Gogh.

[@Funkgafr]

Your transitions are crazy good man

[@juanchojackkkk]

extreme Ye fan here. This video is gold. Incredible clips too. You definitely! Definitely did your research!

[@Design.Theory]

Much appreciated! Thanks Juan

[@brutus8123]

I love yeezy deign. It’s what I look for as a designer. Innovative and new ideas. It’s futuristic and after owning a few pairs I see other design as old and traditional.

[@watercave4905]

Completely agree

[@Jackh0524]

He is gifted. His designs remind me of a dystopia, but in good way. They're like rustic and so simple, it really turns the person into the main piece

[@Leavemealone1670]

I left my knock off Crocs outside in the sun and they ended looking like this

[@nofuturo]

Everyone knows deep inside that everything about YEEZY is fugly, but everyone is afraid to say it out loud in fear of sounding unsophisticated. It feels like a modern day adaptation of "The Emperor's New Clothes".

[@Design.Theory]

I'm not afraid to say that yeezys are ugly. I even call them borderline repulsive in the vid. But I still think they have merit in lots of other ways.

[@ForemanFitness52]

@@Design.Theory Merit in other ways? Are they really that comfortable; because I can see that as one of the reasons why .....

[@michaelp865]

@@ForemanFitness52 basically all of his shoes are very comfortable.

[@marvin469]

Them shoes is ugly asf , pardon my ebonics

[@aimdrone]

3:44 I think Antoni Gaudí, the Spanish architect, has buildings that remind me of the Yeezy aesthetic and his buildings are manmade and nature-inspired.

[@johnnycashsnightmare]

It looks like fifty cents worth of foam. You're paying hundreds of dollars for pennies, but so is everything else you buy.

[@Repp35]

the foam runners remind me so much of the holess in ravines in utah

[@mojo6112]

4:06 I'd say they look primal and futuristic. Also, i think this shoe's elegance is harder to digest and i presume would do well with some sort of help in the elegance department by the wardrobe above and other ways too

[@1.618_Murphy]

As a brutalist myself, these organic designs are not really my type - be it a smartphone, a hyper concept car, clothing or shoes. I'm into sharp edges. But I've always appreciated Kanye's work! And I absolutely love Giger's work by the way!

[@GhostSamaritan]

How are you unironically a brutalist?💀

[@hisenseks]

I love his design work, first shoes that I truly desire to buy. I don't know any of his songs.

[@bclaus0]

How did you get through this video without mentioning Gaudí. What's also funny is that this shoe literally looks like a first year student's sketch assignment of combining a modern object with a historic style.

[@Design.Theory]

gaudi woulda been a good comparison, actually

[@randhika5636]

yes. even dude like virgil abloh praised that dude with the offwhite, where he only modified already existing nike products. people probably hates yeezy because it's kanye. yeezy line is one of the most innovative fashion of the decade. everybody staying in the comfort zone making thousands of colorways for public figures, while this dude literally designing the shoe

[@limazulu6192]

Honestly i don't think the foam runners have bad a design once you get used to looking at them but one thing that still bothers me about these shoes is that they are - lets call it "esthetically impractical" in relation to it's "content" - the foot. When designing footwear it's important to remember what it's ultimately paired with. When wearing a shoe you can eather slip in with your naked foot or with socks on. And both of these options will clash with the the shoe design when you look at what information is added to the shoe through the holes. Foam footwear will inevitably look cheapened when worn with socks like sandals and crocs and the functionality suffers because it means you can only wear them in dry weather that way. Having your naked foot in there also doesn't work because the holes and the inside of the shoe is wide enough for the two objects to be perceived as separate from each other.

[@damxn7303]

Thanks for this ..opened my eyes

[@thebookofdaniel5837]

Whilst I like very few of his shoes, I’m so fascinated and intrigued by his design style. For me, it opens my mind to the possibility of entering a prestigious space and being confident in making your mark. In a way, his shoes sort of scratch a curiosity itch I have for design and shoes Love your analysis and channel

[@E.K939]

"strong reaction to this shoe" can't say Ive ever had any big reaction about a shoe.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

I’ve seen these shoes. Didn’t know what they were. I’m glad I watched this video. 7:35

[@kanorcubes329]

i liked all yeezy shoes excepr the crocs, till I saw them on feet they look awesome. The apparel doesn't do it for me, but his cap rn is cool

[@cleigh113]

you summed it up perfectly- he is willing to take artistic risks and roll them out more than anyone else- that is what is so great, and makes it feel good to support him in that.

[@gildedpeahen876]

Can definitely say he's a fashion icon, is not afraid to take risks, and 100% has vision

[@calebplumleephotography]

Biggest difference between design genius and hot garbage is how much money the person pimping it has

[@jayc1139]

As someone that lives in a damp rainy climate, on top of it having very bitey fire ants and some dangerous spiders...I'd prefer a WHOLE shoe vs these.

[@esquivel1]

"If you hate yeezes..." you probably have good taste.

[@TUNNELING322]

Great analysis. I own a few pairs as well as a kids pair for my son. They never really felt busy to me. They remind me more of helmets though. Foot helmets. I was drawn to the brand because of the rethinking. Of what goes onto a foot rather than making a shoe. Some I feel are misses though. The 450s I think need a slight redesign.

[@Design.Theory]

Thanks for sharing, I'm glad you enjoy your Yeezys. No idea how you got them :O

[@TheSilverwolf97]

For me, I feel that Kanye's type of approach to creativity is messy and more random. It requires more volume of work to find good stuff, almost like throwing shit and seeing what sticks. But at the same time it is a way to come up with stuff that isn't as derivative as a methodical approach would. Both have their advantages and fit different styles, although I would say that on a business level it is too risky.

[@ethanmiller631]

they're many fashion designers who predates what kanye is doing like martin margiela

[@ernestziegenfelder9962]

the foam runners are 100% harmonious though lmao. some of the other designs aren't but that one is specifically pleasing to the eye. The polarizing bit of them is the holes and the shape of the cuff around the foot. otherwise it's stunning

[@milkmakethecookiewet7853]

The 450s my in my opinion are underrated not many people talk about them only the design and how ugly they look. When they first leaked I really didn’t feel them but slowly but surely they started to grow on me. I ended getting a pair for retail and when I got them I couldn’t take them off they are comfortable asf and with the right fit they look good.

[@Morganfletcherwastaken]

“They motherfucking made the twix double the size tryna make us fat”

[@Curiosidadesdehongkong]

What we forget is that Kanye has a big team full of the best designers from around the world. So to say he is this genius designer is a bogus statement. Some of his most iconic "Designs" were made with the help or by others who stay out of the spotlight.

[@merrick51]

Really love these videos. As someone with passion but no training in design these are always a treat to watch

[@Design.Theory]

Glad you like them!

[@jhall9602]

It’s a croc with a urban spin and more importantly a name attached. It’s brilliant because the markup has to be just unreal. Good for you Yee!

[@PEAFAVS]

Almost like 50 Cent who bought vitamin water and said it’s basically quarter water! Smart indeed.

[@JollyFlys]

Na, the foam is completely different and so is the fit. These feel nice and tight and your feet feel like they are on pillows.

[@simoling]

Excellent dive into Kanye as a designer. Thank you.

[@UltimatePerfection]

They look cool. I love organic designs with smooth curves. I think we could use more items that have no edges or corners.

[@beppo05]

Shoot- I really want Yeezys now

[@Design.Theory]

hi joe

[@sadaharu5096]

@@Design.Theory joemama

[@pablomolla7387]

2:20 > empieza lo interesante 11:34 > análisis de yeezy Foam Runners en comparación con otras zapatillas. Usan patrones diferentes y hace que tus ojos no puedan encontrar un 'resting point' (12:00) Son muy cómodas y hechas de un solo material sin ensamblaje, lo que hace que sea una zapatilla muy barata de producir y fácil de reciclar. Además en la punta son más anchas que el zapato normal, que tiende a acabar un poco en punta (11:10)

[@pacerhythmandtiming.4109]

David Cronenberg's body horror comes to mind when describing what you described as "cambrian" and "lifelike". Edgy, "organic" and futuristic all at once.

[@vcaesium]

Yeezys (or actually the specific design with all the holes (Oh they're called foamrunners apparently)) remind me a lot of gorey/fantasy/alien artwork, even a bit HR Giger vibes. I like when artist are anti conformity, against the basics of what design is (supposedly), doing their own thing. But at the same time, I as a "common-sensical" human, despise designs that don't make sense to me. My first thought after seeing the foamrunners was "this goes against ever fibre of my being". Although my aesthetics lie somewhere else (nice way of saying I think they're ugly), I can appreciate the whole process behind them and the experimental part about them. So maybe I feel more comfortable considering them a work of art rather than shoes, because thats what they are imo.

[@StarChild.no1]

That same shoe, if it were designed by someone else, a nobody with ambition, would’ve been laughed at, disregarded and tossed, in all shoe design spaces and fashion entities around the globe.. There’s way more influencing what consumers adapt as quality.. In any case, that particular shoe is not out of Kanye’s head but rather it’s a regenerative type of framing designed by engineers and adopted by all types of product designers. It’s like Pantone (a specifier) making the proclamation that the year’s color bat guano pink - Well across all industries where design is a selling point, all professionals and amateurs alike, will be using bat guano pink or some variation as their theme color.. So the regenerative framing design (from I can’t remember what lab - specifier) was also adopted and concepts of it would have showed up in relevant design related space - yes, including a few of regenerative inspired footwear.. Consumers (those on the bell curve) have no clue what makes a thing great but Kanye made a good living sampling and chopping up other peoples creations- why should he reinvent his formula?

[@tooruoikawa8985]

That’s not a nerf ball? Ya got me….