Tom McCluskey

Mini Portfolio

Tom McCluskey — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:56:51 +0000

I have recently rejuvenated my online mini portfolio after being required to present it at University. Feel free to check it out by clicking my “logo” above. It best shows my current ability as a designer, and I can safely say that I’ve come a hell of a long way during the last two years.

Comments and feedback is always appreciated, I cannot improve unless I’m challenged on what I know.

Thanks!

SNEAKERS: Footpatrol x Saucony Shadow 6000 "Only in Soho"

Tom McCluskey — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:59:24 +0000

Reblogged from Strictly DeadStock:

Known for it's reputation of sex shops, nightlife, and a flamboyant film industry, London's Soho has been the district for entertainment for much of the 20th century. London retailer Footpatrol sits in the heart of the Soho district and have made it the theme for their latest collaboration with Saucony on the Shadow 6000.
Featuring a Black , Bright Blue, and Royal suede upper with a splattered midsole and red accents, the shoe receives the "Only in Soho" logo on the inner-sole while the tongue label features the…

What a difference a colour way makes!

Tom McCluskey — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:30:00 +0000

There are many things I look for in a good pair of sneakers. Build quality, technology and heritage all come into it, but I simply won’t buy a pair that I don’t like the look of. That sounds like common sense, however there are a couple of examples of sneakers where one model can produce two very different opinions in me. The silhouette’s are identical, but due to either colour way or material use, I love one and hate the other.

Reebok Classic Leather in White - HATE

I can’t stand the sight of the Classic Leather Reebok in all white, “tacky” and “cheap” spring to mind when I come across these. Classic running shoes usually cannot do wrong with me, so props to Reebok I guess! I can’t put my finger on the exact reasoning, as it has everything I look for in a classic running shoe. My cousin has two pairs, and I constantly remind him that they’re burglar shoes (Google it)… I just don’t “get” them.

Reebok Classic Leather in Khaki - LOVE

The identical model to the white leather’s, but these Reebok’s in khaki suede look nothing short of dope! I love the subtle colour blocking on the mid sole, the rough suede tones on the upper, and the fact that these somehow seem to look less bulky that their counterpart. Plus they’re a 30th Anniversary Edition, it’s always nice to have a special pair of kicks.

With these Reebok Classic’s, there’s something about the original white leather that really doesn’t bode well with me. However MOST of the alternatives out there, whether that be the 30th Anniversary Ed, Frank the Butcher, etc; all get double thumbs up from me.

Nike Air Max 95 OG - HATE

The Air Max has gone down hill ever since the original AM1. Okay, the Light was pretty nice, but I don’t even dig the AM90′s. These 95′s though… *gag*, really? I appreciate the technology and “innovation” that went into these at the time, but from a purely aesthetically point of view, I can see NO appeal. A black mid sole always puts any sneaker on the wrong foot (no pun intended) to start with, and that’s only the start of my bug bear’s with this shoe. It would take nothing short of a miracle to make me like this silhouette…

Nike Air Max 95 EM Honolulu - LOVE

I don’t know how you did it Nike, but you’ve managed to create an AM95 variation that I actually dig; I salute you! ‘Engineered Mesh’ has been chucked onto all of their classic model’s, and it has been pulled off perfectly on this AM95. The subtlety of the upper, the paint fleck WHITE mid sole, and the bright orange air pockets; this whole shoe comes together to create something clean, fresh and seriously desirable.

In contrast to the Reebok’s, this Honolulu edition is the ONLY AM95 that I’d be caught wearing. Even the rest of this special “worldwide” pack do nothing for me, it’s clearly a silhouette that I just do not like.

Web Pick #14 – Adidas “Feet You Wear” Basketball

Tom McCluskey — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 19:58:41 +0000

Basketball shoes have a huge following worldwide, a versatile footwear option that gives supreme comfort, sporting credentials and “great styling”… apparently. Of course when you look back at the roots of most classic sneakers, a huge proportion have been born from the basketball scene. Heck, I have a pair of Adidas Greenstar & Puma Dallas in my treasured collection; both designed specifically for basketball. Plus I’m loving the new generation of high tech basketball shoes, whether that be the Nike Hyperdunk, Lebron Cork’s, Kobe 8′s, etc.

My bug bear seems to be with basketball shoes of the 90′s, an era that I generally feel did not give much to the world of design; don’t get me started on the automotive industry. I came across this web pick through Sneaker Report, and thought to myself “how on earth can people dig these?!”. I do not question the pioneering technology behind these shoes, but aesthetically I’d rather wear a pair of Primarni plimsoles!

It all boils down to taste, and these kicks really do NOTHING for me.

Original Article @ Sneaker Report

Shoe Pick #29 – Sperry

Tom McCluskey — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:22:24 +0000

Sperry Boat Oxford
Brown Suede

I’ve been searching online for a nice new pair of formal shoes for a while now. I wanted something under a strong quality brand, not some in house Topman rubbish. I also wanted something that is brown, because “an Italian always wears brown shoes, they go with everything”… not that I’m even slightly Italian.

I present to you the Sperry Boat Oxford’s. As the name suggests this is a hybrid of Boat Shoe and Oxford Wingtip, creating a really clean & smart silhouette. Sperry are well established in the formal/casual shoe market, in line with the likes of Sebago and Timberland.

They retail on the official Sperry website at $100, however I managed to snag my pair in the Hanon sale for just £38 (deducting £4 worth of Hanon points that I’ve accumilated). They’re still available in size 7, 8, 8.5, 9, 11 & 12 (I got the last 10′s, muaha!).

£38.48 @ Hanon

Shoe Pick #28 – Wood Wood

Tom McCluskey — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:50:42 +0000

Wood Wood Geoff Shoe
Grey CamoflagueDanish fashion brand Wood Wood have done many collaborations on footwear in the past with the likes of Nike, Pointer and Adidas; this however is their first attempt at 100% in house designed footwear. Four styles have been born, with this grey camo thick sole plimsole being my favourite of the bunch.
The subtle camo print across the upper creating combined with the strong white mid sole creates a sophisticated yet bold shoe. You can sense the influence that Wood Wood have taken from the more grown up Oxford’s, with a sprinkling of sneaker style producing a stunning hybrid model.

These are available directly from the Wood Wood online store for a sweet 270 euros.

Source Article: Hypebeast

Toddler’s Interactive Toy Prototype – Week 4/5

Tom McCluskey — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 14:55:46 +0000

No, that isn’t a typo. I completely forgot to upload anything on last weeks progress, so straight to week 4/5. Unfortunately I have struggled these past two weeks, and not made nearly as much progression as I would have liked. The first couple of weeks just went TOO well, so with just 1 to go, I’m gonna need to pull out a bit of a miracle.

The main things I need to get done are as follows:

- Axles & Wheels.
- Translucent rear cover (almost finished already tbh).
- Centre part of character holder.
- SCREW BOSS!
- EYES! I keep forgetting about these.

So yeah, I’m going to need to rub this bugger down, as I really would like to spray it when I’m done.

Shoe Pick #27 – Supra

Tom McCluskey — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:59:34 +0000

Supra Backwood
Camoflague & White

Supra was conceived in 2006 as a part of the Krew Clothing Group; and to be honest it has never done much for me. Their roots are in skate footwear, an area I have never had an interest in; too big and bulky nine times out of ten. However they came to my attention not so long ago with their ‘Owen’ sneaker, a shoe based on the classic running silhouette I love oh so much. Then I found the Backwood…

Marketed as an “All-weather boot/athletic-shoe hybrid”, the Backwood looks nuts! The shape is elegant but not too in your face; the camo print is subtle yet stylish (especially at this current time of camo love), and the white midsole (made from their own in house developed SUPRAFOAM®) really sets these off. Being influenced as a boot also means that it should last longer than you will; no more worries of scuffing your new sneakers with these!

They’re available from the official Supra store in a variety of different colours, the black & white alternative also looks sweet. PLUS there’s a digi camo version if you’re feeling experimental; a tad too brash for me though.

Available at Supra – £80

Shoe Pick #26 – Onitsuka Tiger

Tom McCluskey — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:57:36 +0000

Onitsuka Tiger Colorado ’85
Sand & Black

It has been quite a while since I last done one of these, but I want to do my best to keep this going!

Originally released in 1985, the Colorado is a fantastic looking retro sneaker. Onitsuka Tiger, the sub division of Asics; has been hugely influential worldwide since their conception in 1949. The Colorado was in fact originally designed primarily for use outdoors, with its breathable nylon and tough suede patches; taking design influence from the Ultimate ’81 and California ’78.

Available from End Clothing – £60

Toddler’s Interactive Toy Prototype – Week 2/5

Tom McCluskey — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:49:48 +0000

More progress this week, I have now practically finished the top half of my product (1st picture) with the vacuum formed HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), as well as the inner skin (2nd picture).

Good progress so far, although the far more complicated innards are still to come. Wish me luck!