AssetID: 52976005
Headline: Kicking Up An Ink! Designer Taylor Tabb Creates Trainer That Doubles As A Printer
Caption: **RAW VIDEO** Designer and engineer Taylor Tabb's Footprints is a remarkable creation - a pair of trainers that also acts as a printer. These intriguing kicks blend the timeless silhouette of a Converse Mid-Top with the functionalities of a handheld inkjet printer. At first glance, the shoes sport the classic look of an iconic Converse design. However, a closer inspection reveals a delightful twist - concealed within the sole of each shoe lies a genuine HP ink cartridge and inkjet hardware. Explaining how they work, the creative technologist says: “The primary hardware is a modified hand-held inkjet printer - the enclosure is removed to allow more space for a foot, and it’s been fixtured into the heel of the shoe. It's not the roomiest shoe, but it is wearable!” With many no longer having a bulky printer at home, Tabb’s creation offers a new option - wearing an item you can print documents on as long as you have some paper - or actually any appropriate surface - handy. Footprints were imagined as a hypothetical (so unofficial) collaboration between two renowned brands, Converse and HP. Explaining the motivation behind the design Tabb adds: “The base shoe is a Converse mid-top sneaker. The sneaker is basically a plain white chuck, but I've added custom vinyl to make it feel more printer-like. The colorful tubes are purely aesthetic, I wanted to give the shoes a bit of a hype-beast sneaker-head vibe while evoking the idea that the object truly is a blend of printer and shoe.” This daring project represents the designer’s ongoing exploration of merging computing with creative expression through fabrication. Tabb's portfolio showcases a range of unconventional endeavors, from a robot concealed within a watermelon's shell to a wearable chemical energy storage system. With Footprints, Tabb extends his examination of how engineering tools can be repurposed in unexpected and artistic ways within the domain of design. This imaginative venture also shows the possibilities for future collaborations between disparate fields, pushing the envelope of wearable tech well beyond common ideas like the smartwatch.
Keywords: taylor tabb,trainers,sneakers,printer,fashion,design,creative,feature,photos,video,technology,tech,hp,converse,offbeat
PersonInImage: