SockHodler

SockHodler is a pet project of mine from 2021 when I was involved in the Cryptocurrency Ecosystem. I had been yearning for a creative release, so I envisioned a form of wearables that would combine the blockchain functionality of Algorand with physical apparel like socks.

Sounds crazy, right? Well, it kinda was. Logistically though, it was the easiest article of clothing to get started with. I was able to source one-size-fits-all socks and I wouldn't need to stock and design for multiple sizes.

I designed and launched the SockHodler shop on Wordpress with the WooCommerce extension. To be able to offer crypto as a payment option, I selected MyCryptoCheckout.

I wanted SockHodler to feel like the 80's. Other than the simple fact that I am a product of the 80s, the style was gaining in popularity at the time, especially in crypto projects.

When designing the brand, I really leaned into the neon blues, purples and teals.

To coincide with the main branded logo, I designed a bug and several sub-branded elements for my avatar/mascot dude SockBot.

From the beginning, I wanted a premium feel and fit to the socks. I must have gotten 15 different samples from suppliers before settling on these.

The majority of SockHodler socks were dye sublimated, but several designs were woven. Due to the complexity of some designs, they needed the dye sublimation process to retain the level of detail that I wanted.

All of the sock designs are blockchain-related. I had settled on Algorand to be the home-base, so to speak, because I was already actively taking part in the ecosystem after being lured in by ease-of-use and fast transaction times.

Basically, I needed a way for a device and a server to interact with the apparel.​​​​​​​ Thus the partnership with SmartSeal was born.

They had a method to authenticate NFTs on the blockchain through the use of Nearfield Communications (NFC) tags.

The trouble was that they didn't support Algorand; only the Ethereum and Solana.

With a little bit of pestering on my part, the founder agreed to work together on adding support for Algorand. The NFT's functioned differently, but ultimately, it was a pretty straightforward change to connect to their API.

Like the socks, I wanted the packaging to have the wow-factor when someone received them in the mail. Each shipment that went out had a custom printed box, belly band, and branded plastic pouches.

My partner and I initially conceived the idea of SockBot when we wanted to create a face to the SockHodler brand. We imagined this post-apocalyptic world where this lonely little robot was searching for his master; left only with a pair of his socks when he suddenly came back on-line.

It originally started as a joke, but then we grew a certain fondness of him once I modeled him out in 3D.

SockBot is a collection of 2,222 NFTs minted on the Algorand blockchain. This NFT collection combines crisp 3D art and 175+ unique traits for maximum coolness.

We even partook in a ecosystem-wide crypto scavenger hunt by creating NFT's that left clues to a particular wallet seed phrase.

Now, here's where it get's good. In order to make our physical NFT socks work with the blockchain, I designed an app that would authenticate the NFT when the sock was scanned by a smart phone.

In addition to that, there was NFT Staking available as well as the ability to participate in simple games in order to earn tokens.