Culture & education

De Montfort University x SneakHeads®

Press release, 3 March 2023

De Montfort University’s Creative Design programmes are excited to announce their new sponsor relationship with Imaginnovation, a dynamic and innovative creative partner. This collaboration will create opportunities for the university to grow its creative community and pioneer new technology.

Through this relationship, De Montfort University will gain access to Imaginnovation’s extensive network of industry connections, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative solutions. This will provide students and staff with the tools and resources needed to push boundaries and unlock their full creative potential. The initial focus will be around a new range of digital and physical collectibles called SneakHeads®. Imaginnovation's passion for creativity and innovation aligns perfectly with our own values on the suite of programmes.

The relationship is expected to lead to new research and development initiatives in areas such as artist collaborations, sneaker design, fashion, digital authentication and sustainable materials. This will create exciting opportunities for students and faculty to work collaboratively on ground-breaking projects that have the potential to have real world impact.

"We are thrilled to work with De Montfort University and support their vision for a thriving creative community," said Wayne Lindsay FRSA, founder of Imaginnovation and creator of SneakHeads®. "By leveraging our expertise and resources, we hope to empower students and faculty to create innovative solutions that will shape the future of creative industries."

This collaboration marks a significant step forward for De Montfort University's creative courses commitment to innovation and creativity, and we look forward to sharing the exciting developments with the wider creative community.

Opportunities in education

Sneaker culture offers a diverse and interdisciplinary field for research, education and the arts. The rich history of sneakers, from athletic footwear to cultural phenomenon, can be studied to gain insight into popular culture and consumer behaviour. The customisation and design of sneakers can be a form of creative self-expression, offering opportunities for illustration, design and fashion education. The sneaker industry, worth billions globally, provides valuable insights for entrepreneurship and business education. Lastly, the sense of community created by sneaker culture can be utilised to engage and explore social dynamics and cultural values.

By fusing this cultural phenomenon with blockchain technology and social impact, we add an extra layer of innovation and creativity to the ecosystem. By securely tracking and managing creative assets, artists can protect their work and ensure proper credit, monetisation and authentication. This not only benefits the artist, but drives sustainability across industries.

Incorporating blockchain tech use cases into education and research prepares the next generation of creators to succeed in an ever-evolving landscape. Learning about cutting-edge technology gives young people and artists a competitive edge to navigate the creative world with confidence.

We believe our work can inspire a new generation of artists, illustrators, designers, developers, entrepreneurs and changemakers to shape the future of sustainable creative ecosystems.