Tinker Hatfield

There are a few industries where artists are often overlooked. Companies such as Nike and Adidas have created a business focused on selling sneakers. Tinker Hatfield is a shoe concept artist who helped design many of the Jordan signature basketball shoes. As an artist, his work is significant in creating iconic sneakers that influenced the development of future shoe designs. Hatfield also designed technology concepts for Nike such as the Nike Air Huaraches in 1991, which the technology is still used in some Nike shoes today.

Hatfield’s ideas became cultural icons that also resulted in violence over some pairs of Jordans. This sparked ideas of human materialistic wealth and the value for the sneakers. An example would be the release of the Jordan XI “Concords” in 1995, where riots would break out in the lines waiting for these shoes. Some pairs are sold and resold for hundreds up to thousands of dollars. One of the most expensive Jordans, the Jordan XI “Blackout” color way is valued over $11,000.

Jordan XI "Concord"

Some people risked their lives and others died over some pairs. So what makes Jordan brand shoes so different from other shoes? What makes people so willing to wait in long competitive lines so they can have a chance to buy a pair of  $200 sneakers? That is because of the design of the shoe and the impression it gives. Just like art, the ideas and style is represented on a canvas, but for feet. The look and designs of Hatfield’s work can be described as a cultural influence as it created new potential evolution for shoes in the future. A lot of sneakers are inspired by certain elements and aspects from Tinker Hatfield’s shoe design concepts.

Hatfield's concept sketch for Jordan XI

Sneakers in general create a new area for designers to create a work of art that you can wear. Alongside shoe design comes functionality and innovation. It is important for a shoe to stand out in today’s sneaker culture. There are many basic shoe layouts that are overused in a lot of brands, but it can all be traced back in time from previous shoe concept designs. Tinker Hatfield was successful in designing a pair of stylish, comfortable and practical basketball shoes that are recognized globally.