Creating Custom Sneakers for Charleys Cheesesteaks

When Charley’s Cheesesteaks approached me to design them a custom sneaker, they had a clear vision: to showcase their branding, menu items, and beloved mascot, Flip. This project wasn’t just about creating a unique shoe, it also focused on showcasing my creative process behind bringing Charley’s branding to life through custom art and engaging content.

The Design Process

The Charleys team gave me a general idea of what they wanted on the shoes, from cheesesteak illustrations, to their logo and mascot, but brainstorming how to bring it all together was solely in my hands. I gained inspiration from their product packaging and store design, using white brick for the background and painting their menu items in an illustrated, cartoon-like style. The goal was to create a sneaker that was bold, fun, and instantly recognizable as Charleys.

Sharing the Story Through Video

In addition to the custom sneaker, I created a video for Charley’s social media platforms that documented the design process and shared the story behind the artwork, using my own voice and personality to bring it together. The video offered an inside look at how the sneaker came together- from art concept, to painting and finalizing the design.

Through the video, I highlighted the inspiration behind the key design elements and shared how each detail connected to Charleys’ brand.