Birkenstock Birkies

The challenge with Birkies + Footprints was to create a new collection of shoes that would appeal to a specific new consumer "the urbanite" without betraying the brand's heritage. In conceptualizing a strategy of product diversification for Birkenstock, we wanted to bring Birkenstock's key brand attributes of comfort, green design, recyclability and sustainable manufacturing to a new generation. With Birkies & Footprints, we conceived new brand concept, direction, and implementation strategy, redirecting the current philosophies of the company into a new and innovative product and brand.

product

The brand development for Birkenstock included designing the product, packaging, name, branding, logo and in-store display. Birkenstock's Birkies slip-on clogs are wet-and-dry; designed for the serious outdoor gardener - one who does their duty rain or shine. The sole was engineered with different sized honeycomb patterns that fluidly shrink and grow over the sole of the shoe to provide maximum slip protection. Each Birki is made of a single piece of material. The Footprints product is designed from the inside out: The "inside" design started from the redesign of Birkenstock's trademark recycled cork and natural latex insole, then reshaping the fit and, finally, adding biodegradable gels. It continued on the "outside" with a lighter, elegant, and recognizable geometry as well as new signature materials such as vegetable-died leathers.

Recognition

Awards

  • ID Magazine Annual Design Competition

    • Birkenstock Birki, 2005

  • Red Dot Design Award

    • Birki Pro/ Birkis Clogs, 2005

  • D&AD (England)

    • Birkenstock Footprints, Silver, 2005

  • DSA - Business Week

    • Awards 2019 NewBeauty Best Innovations - My Skin Track UV 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 National Design Award for Product Design Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum Lauréat de la Fondation pour la création Switzerland D&AD (England) Birkenstock Footprints, Silver IDSA - Business Week Birkenstock Footprints branding & strategy, Gold, 2005

  • Red Dot Design Award

    • Birkenstock Footprints: The Architect Collection, 2005

  • Red Dot Design Award

    • Birkenstock Footprints: The Architect Collection, 2005

  • Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award

    • Birkenstock Footprints: The Architect Collection, 2005

Exhibits

  • Museo de Arte Moderno

    • 100 Years of Swiss Design
    • November 2017

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