Magnetic Shoe Display: Specs and Constraints

When designing and building my shoe display, there were a few things that I wanted it to have that helped dictate my design and material selection.

1. Cohesive

One of my primary goals for the shoe display was to maintain a cohesive, seamless visual presence — as if carved from a single, uninterrupted wood block. Initially, I considered layering sheets of plywood, but the exposed edges would disrupt the wood aesthetic by revealing internal layers. Alternatively, I cut and stack layers from a single solid wood board. Attempting to minimize visible glue lines and conceal any seams, keeping the appearance unified and clean. Trying to blend one layer into the next, emphasizing continuity and craftsmanship.

2. Organic

The form of the base was another crucial aspect. I wanted it to feel more like something shaped by nature than machine-made. Using power carving techniques, I shaped the wood to give it a flowing, organic shape. This contrasts between the rigidity of the material and the softness of its form. The design steers away from harsh geometric forms. It embraces curves and irregularities that mimic natural growth and erosion, making it feel more like a sculptural object than a static stand.

3. Integrated

Every display element needed to feel like it belonged — functionally and visually. The lighting element embedded in the base was designed to look like a natural outgrowth of the wood rather than an added feature. Similarly, the Nike logo is not simply applied on top but carefully considered in terms of size, depth, and placement to feel inherent to the design. Even the magnet system that allows the shoe to float should be discreetly hidden, maintaining the illusion of levitation without drawing attention to the mechanism itself. I want to build something that feels intentional and interconnected.

[1] Sketch Design

4. Functional

While aesthetics were important, functionality was never sacrificed. I wanted the shoe to float — not hover just a millimeter above the base, but hang with a visible gap, making the levitation a noticeable and key part of the design. Ideally, the shoe can rotate slowly, adding motion and drawing more attention. The integrated lighting from the base enhances the effect, casting warm upward light that highlights the shoe’s contours and design details. Altogether, this makes the display not just a pedestal but an interactive display.

5. Durable

Durability was essential, given the effort put into the display’s design and construction. The materials and methods had to support long-term use without warping, breaking down, or becoming unstable. This meant discreetly selecting the right wood species that balances strength and aesthetic appeal, using high-quality adhesives and reinforcing structural elements. The magnet system must also be reliable enough to hold the shoe securely over time. I didn’t want a piece that only looked good fresh off the bench — it needed to last, maintaining its form and function with minimal maintenance.

While these are all good ideals that seem simple to achieve, this problem comes with a few constraints I’ve already run into or expect to

1. Money Constraint

The main money sink has been the wood. I need s4s wood for this project, and depending on the color and grain I wanted, that can be pretty pricey. Some woods, like poplar, were cheap and had good properties as wood, but I didn’t like the color or grain; I liked walnut or maple, but they are both expensive and hardwoods, making them hard to work with. I eventually landed on pine wood because of the cost, gain pattern, and general softness, making it easy to cut and carve. On top of material cost, there were some specific tools I needed to buy for this project, such as an angle grinder, a wood carving disk, clamps, and a hole saw.

2. Duplication

Since I am cutting out multiple pieces with a jigsaw, ideally, they could all be identical, making the gluing process symmetrical and flat on the attachment surfaces. Unfortunately, Even when I trace one piece to cut the next, there is still some variation in my jigsaw skills, leading to slight variations and uneven surfaces when trying to glue them together. If I wanted them to be perfectly identical, I could have a flush trim bit in a router, but I don’t own that tool, which leads back to my money constraint.

[2] Gluing Setup                                                                                                                     [3] Cut-out Pieces

3. Tooling Constraint

As I said in previous sections, some aspects of this project require specific and specialized tools for me to do it to the best of my ability. Things like a router, planer, and jointer would have all helped refine my process and design, but this circles back to the money constraint.

4. Grain inconsistencies.

One of the specifications I wanted to achieve was a cohesive design, but the problem with cutting out multiple layers from one piece of wood in separate locations and orientations is variation in grain pattern. This main not be something I’m able to overcome or achieve, but is something in my material that is preventing me from achieving one of my specifications.

5. Magnet Strength and Placement

Ensuring I had a magnet that could hold the weight of the shoe at a distance was essential to the function of the project. I had already bought, tested, and returned many different magnets until I found one that worked. On top of that, balancing the shoe so that it “floats” is a delicate balance while also ensuring it is strong enough to randomly fall off from someone walking around or shaking slightly.

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