updated panel of experts

I got a response from Cherri Choate who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Biomechanics at the School of Podiatric Medecine at Samuel Merritt University.

She will be answering my technical questions about foot biomechanics and shoe fit.

I also got my research questions done and have emailed the Lakai Design Team and Ikue Enomoto those questions to learn some information about their design and manufacturing processes.

gantt chart

panel of experts

I received word back from Lakai Footwear's design team saying they were available to help out!

I also have Ikue Enomoto on my panel of experts. She is a masters student at SFSU as well as a shoe designer in Japan. She and her sisters created Sellenatela.

And finally I am awaiting a reply from professors at the School of Podiatric Medecine at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland.

footwear companies

After searching for a bunch of footwear companies I ended up sending emails to over a dozen shoe companies. I targeted the skateboarding shoe industry because they happen to use many different types of materials, natural and synthetic. Companies such as SoleTech and DC Shoes have even come up with their own innovations in materials.

Out of those emails I sent out, I received feed back from Nike and SoleTech. I received an email from SoleTech's web developer saying he would forward my information to their footwear designers (SoleTech owns 3 of the largest skateboard shoe companies). Nike responded with some useful links to their Considered Line, their project for incorporating sustainable practices and manufacturing to create a line of environmentally responsible shoes.

p+p statement (revised)

Problem:

Footwear factories are left with unused waste from non-recyclable materials used during the manufacturing of shoes.


Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to add a second life to these unused scrap materials to promote a smaller footprint for the company and factory.

timeline

contacts

I emailed 3 footwear companies to see if they can help me out with some research and possibly with a person for my panel of experts.

These are the companies I contacted:

Sole Technology

Adidas

Lakai Limited Footwear

Now looking for other companies to contact as well.

links

PDF about waste from manufacturing footwear

A book about the manufacturing process

problem+purpose

1. Footwear factories are left with waste from materials used during production.

The purpose of this study is to develop a way to add a second life to these unused scrap materials to promote a smaller footprint for the company and factory.

2. Current footwear solutions for bicycle commuters are not convenient.

The purpose of this study is to develop a new way that bicycle commuters can conveniently switch between a bike friendly shoe and an office friendly shoe.

3. With the large market for bicycle safety, there is a lack of proper recycling due to the materials being used.

The purpose of this study is to implement new materials into existing EPS foam helmets that meets current safety standards and promotes sustainable activity.

Intro

This is my blog for DAI 505

I am a Design and Industry: Product Design and Development major. I like all types products and started to get into ID because I wanted to be a trans designer. Recently I have been focusing more on footwear and wanted to finish up my degree with some research about footwear.

I really love seeing other people's sketches, doodles, rendering. Transportation sketches really amaze me. Modern furniture, footwear renderings, product sketches, food packaging, letterpress, silk-screening, 3D renderings and compositions, crazy architecture, design process: all are my daily inspirations. My list of inspiring websites are on the right. I am influenced by all creative minds around me: students, teachers, professionals, friends and family.

I really enjoy anything that rolls on wheels, especially skateboarding and road biking and hope to do design work with either of these to affect the future of skating and biking.

Keywords that describe me:

Minimal Design+Cluttered Living