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It's no surprise that when something is created, it's usually based on something else. In this case, the designer that works for Nike named Niek Pulles noticed that tendency with shoes and cars. The artist saw that many vehicles, their shape, design, and colors, are very similar to footwear design and vice versa. So he decided to put them side by side and share this discovery with the world on his Instagram page.

He told Bored Panda: "Well, it’s more like brainstorming and a personal visual puzzle. I love to tell stories. I’m a designer and currently work for Nike. So it’s more like sneaker research combined with my love for car design. I find similarities in the world of sport and the automotive industry. It’s all about speed and construction. Both are art forms, timeless sculptures. That’s what I love about it and that why I started this research. Niek for Speed is my platform and brainfart doing creative research."

More info: Instagram | Foundation.App | Heyniek | Facebook | Twitter

On his website there is more information on Niek and his career: "Niek Pulles (born 1986, Arnhem) is a Dutch contemporary artist. He graduated in 2009 from the Design Academy Eindhoven, establishing studio HEYNIEK in Amsterdam shortly thereafter. In 2016 he moved to Portland, OR where he continues his art and design practice (Nike NSW FUEL / Special projects and innovation). Through the use of inventive material and technology, his work asks us questions about who we are, how we see the future, and how we want to experience it."

"Having grown up with five brothers in a wildly creative household, Niek maintains a reverence for youthful and unhindered experimentation. His hands-on approach is informed by childhood memories, archetypes, and a need-for-speed attitude which aims to keep ideas flexible, adaptive, and unconstrained."

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There are many articles on Bored Panda comparing things. This one, for example, shows the differences between the 'woman's side of the bed' and the 'man's side of the bed'. Or this one, where it shows how similar movie posters can be. Or perhaps you would like to see Tilda Swinton and her outfits that look like the packaging of Doritos? Click the links and enjoy!

Niek told us what inspires him to create: "Just Do It. That attitude inspired me since I was little. Always doodling cars as a kid and kind of obsessed with new sneakers too. Every summer I would get a new pair! A vivid memory of looking forward to a newly designed sneaker. Bringing these two worlds & memories together made total sense for me.

The juxtaposition of cars and sneakers was on my mind for a while. But finally making them visual was very satisfying. Action—reaction."

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The designer told us how he finds these images: "A lot of research. Finding the right angle, color, model, year of make takes a lot of time. With the help of books, magazines, a lot of Google searches, and through conversations with friends and fans sending me references, I get really far. I think a lot of people recognize this language, so I feel a lot of support in the research."

"As a kid, I was already intrigued by the characteristics visible in car design. And after studying art and design, your eyes change and you start looking at everything differently. In 2014, I started researching the automotive industry and its design process and started making sneaker collages out of car parts parallel to that. That’s where it all started. Combining the two worlds. It’s a very strong visual language that makes a lot of sense together. But in 2020 is when I made the literal translation by putting the 2 images together. The compositions help, making the similarity more visible."

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Niek shares what his favorite thing about creating these edits is: "The satisfaction of seeing the puzzle pieces fall into place. Feels like winning a level in a game. And noticing the smaller details that make the edits complete. Plus the challenge of finding more rare and unique combinations."

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What do you think of Niek's project? Do you think these cars and shoes look similar? Have you ever noticed that some things that have almost nothing in common look alike? Tell us in the comments down below and vote for your favorite ones. Don't forget to go show some love to Niek on his social media pages and other projects.

#19

Nike Designer Proves That There Are Many Similarities Between Sport And The Automotive Industry

niek.for.speed Report

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meganforman avatar
Megan Forman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to have the shoe but the car just looks strange....

bubbapop avatar
BG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Bertone Stratos HF Zero concept debuted at the 1970 Turin Motor Show

enrique251 avatar
Enrique
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lancia Stratos Zero, to those who are interested in the car :)

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#23

Nike Designer Proves That There Are Many Similarities Between Sport And The Automotive Industry

niek.for.speed Report

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toryhazel23 avatar
Tory Chrome
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The show looks like some post apocalypse tennis shoe for kicking zombies in the head.

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#30

Nike Designer Proves That There Are Many Similarities Between Sport And The Automotive Industry

niek.for.speed Report

Note: this post originally had 66 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.