Vans Branded Design
Challenged to create a headphone design that captures the design language of a brand not currently in the headphone market. Understand their design language and demographics.
Research
Target Users
10 - Young Adults
Brand Overview
Vans, established in 1966, pioneered skateboarding footwear and remains iconic in counter-culture and youth aesthetics. Continuously engaging their youthful demographic, they offer customizable styles. Through outreach at concerts and extreme sports events, Vans stays relevant. While Vans' product line extends to apparel, its essence remains rooted in footwear, maintaining a strong identity as a shoe brand.
vans.com/en-us
Vans shoe design relies on classic lines and a blank canvases. These blanks are perfect to display their logo, checkerboards, jazz wave, and bold colors. All pieces used repeated throughout the line to beautifully reinforcing their branding.
Bold Colors
Prominent Logo
Checkerboards
Users
Active lifestyles
Counter Culture
Rebels
Artists
Nick 16
Still in high school, he spends his free time skateboarding, playing video games, and playing bass in a garage band.
Stacey 26
Getting her MFA, she loves design and fashion. She enjoys both casual and high-end attire. Her hobbies include travel, art, and photography.
Design
3 Headphone Styles
Anywhere Headphones
Full-size over-ear headphones feature a low-profile band, perfect for wearing with hats or helmets. Made with breathable mesh, this model includes both rear and over-the-top headbands for active listening comfort, whether skateboarding, lounging, or whatever.
Comfort Classic
Full size over ear headphones with a low profile top band, can be worn with hats / helmet, made with breathable mesh. This model sits in the on the desk charger to easy drop on convenience. Depressed buttons help avoid accidental actuation.
Chills
Collapsible over ear headphone, combination pliable and hard exterior can expand for surround sound full size over ear experience or fold down to low profile mode enabling the user to lay on their side in bed comfortably while winding down.
Chargers
Travel Box
Boasting magnetic side mount chargers, the charging case simplifies headphone recharging. It doubles as a portable battery bank for on-the-go charging and serves as a stylish carrying case.
Night Stand
Set it and forget it, just drop these headphones on this easy tray, light on front will indicate charge level.
Desk Charger
Easy Desk mounted charger, drop your headphones on this duel hanger and charging mount to power up.
I dove into design exploration, pinpointing those that epitomized the brand and user essence. Simplifying to create a versatile canvas compatible with various logos, I distilled three standout concepts, infusing each with a unique twist that still represented a Vans' classic look.
Crafting a headband tailored to active users, I aimed to break away from bulky alternatives that often push users towards in-ear headphones. Opting for innovation, I developed a streamlined, close-to-the-head design, complemented by a rear strap for stability. These headphones cater to Vans enthusiasts seeking both comfort and style in their music experience.
