Kyle's design philosophy is inspired by Virgil Abloh: take something that works and change it by 5% to 20%. This approach allows Kyle to innovate while still maintaining a level of familiarity that appeals to a broader audience. But what we like about Kyle is his "try, learn, repeat" approach with everything.
Kyle Benton, known by his artist name “ReRun,” is the innovative mind behind Autrion. Based in the U.S., Kyle has been involved in the design and creation of unique footwear pieces that blend technology and fashion in ways that are both groundbreaking and accessible.
From Industrial Design to Footwear Innovation
Kyle’s journey began with a background in industrial design. As a student, he was already passionate about footwear, describing himself as a “big sneakerhead” in high school. This early interest evolved into a serious pursuit in 2019 when he began using Gravity Sketch, a 3D design tool, which significantly advanced his skills in shoe modeling. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted many traditional internships, Kyle managed to secure a job in footwear design, offering him invaluable experience that an internship might not have provided.
Key Collabs and Freelance work
Kyle’s first significant experience outside of school was with a startup brand in New York City called Press Black. Although the brand eventually lost its funding, this experience taught Kyle essential skills in factory communication, design for functionality, and the realities of bringing a product from concept to market.
After the startup folded, Kyle transitioned into freelance shoe design, working with various brands and continuing to develop his own designs under Autrion. A few notable projects included designing one of the first 3D-printed slippers, foam shoes for a rapper, integrating a real human skull into a design, which underscored his unique approach to footwear that blends art and technology.
Exploring different 3D Printing techniques
A significant part of Kyle’s work involves experimenting with 3D printing to create footwear. He discussed the intricacies of working with TPU (used with filament deposit printers) and resin printing, noting that one of the biggest challenges is fine-tuning the density and structure of the shoe model to ensure comfort and durability based on the printing technology chosen, especially with resin printing.
“Honestly, the hardest part with resin printing is also figuring out where to place all the holes on a shoe model… because it needs to allow the resin to go into the shoe and if there’s not enough holes or there are too small, not well placed, it basically creates a vacuum effect…”
Kyle has also been exploring foam printing technologies, which involve using a pellet extruder—a technique that’s still relatively new but shows promising potential for creating innovative, functional fashion products. For instance, this technology was used to create the airless basketball from Wilson.
Challenges and Lessons
Kyle emphasized the importance of prototyping through trial and error. He learned that even a small mistake in the design or printing process could result in an unwearable product. Recalling one of his projects, Kyle said, “The first sample of the boot I have made is basically unwearable… At first, I thought it was quite thin… but what happens is because it’s all one piece, your foot kind of expands inside… I had to really bring it to a point that works…”
This experience underscored the need for meticulous testing and iteration before moving forward with full production.
Looking Forward: Autrion’s Future
As Kyle continues to evolve his brand, Autrion, he’s focused on creating 3D-printed shoes that resemble traditional footwear but with a modern twist. His design philosophy is inspired by advice from Virgil Abloh: take something that works and change it by 5% to 20%. This approach allows Kyle to innovate while still maintaining a level of familiarity that appeals to a broader audience.
