Brooks 2021 Run Happy Shoe
Every year Brooks Running releases a special-edition franchise shoe inspired by the brand’s Run Happy philosophy. For the 2021 edition, I drew on a simple insight from running culture: few things are more universally associated with running than a banana. Beyond being a staple pre- and post-run snack, bananas embody the playful optimism at the heart of the Run Happy brand.
I developed the concept of a banana-inspired running shoe and partnered with Brooks’ Footwear Color and Trend team to bring it to life. The final product featured custom color and material selections inspired by the fruit itself, complete with ripened brown speckles, branded fruit sticker graphics, and details designed to celebrate the familiar ritual runners share around the world.
From initial concept through product design, packaging, photography, and campaign development, the project became a rare opportunity to shape every stage of a product story. The collection resonated strongly with consumers, with men’s sizes selling out in two days and women’s sizes selling out in five.
Services
Product Concept Development
Footwear Color Design
Art Direction
Campaign Development
Packaging Design
Custom Typography
The project expanded beyond the shoe into a fully integrated product launch. I developed custom packaging that reimagined Brooks’ standard shoebox, replacing the brand’s iconic runner illustrations with “banana runners” created in collaboration with the original illustrator. Additional custom fruit sticker graphics transformed the packaging into an extension of the product story.
To support the launch, I art directed both studio and lifestyle photography campaigns. Studio imagery featured the shoe displayed in custom Brooks-branded fruit crates, while lifestyle photography embraced the playful spirit of the concept through a series of energetic running-inspired scenes. Working closely with a copywriter, we extended the campaign through the line, “Add a Bunch of Fun to Your Run.”
