• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.213-224
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• 2022

This study aims to propose the directions of design strategies and product development by analyzing the style types and design features of sneakers using the knitted upper which has been rapidly increasing due to merits in a variety of aspects including goods, production and marketing aspects. To this end, this study analyzed total 924 style types which had been gaining popularity in online markets and brand products drawing attention in the sneaker market with the knitted upper and their design features. In accordance with the analysis results, uniqueness was identified as the first merit. The unique hybrid style and design of sneakers with the knitted upper have been established without complying with the conventional materials and production techniques. The next merit was multimodality. The sneakers with the knitted upper create multiple images highlighting each feature of colors and materials by mixing those elements in various ways. The third merit was experimentality. The sneakers with the knitted upper have been attempted decisive change of designs by combining more engineering approach and new materials and techniques than existing sneakers. In these days when the sneaker market has been gradually expanded, the analysis results of this study reflecting the industrial trends will provide the fundamental data for a variety of research activities related to shoes and for the direction of brand planning in the relevant industries.