1. PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Project Brief
2. DESIGN PROBLEM
Main Targets
Challenges
3. RESEARCH
Foot Anatomy
The Metaverse and NFT
The Metaverse and Fashion
Case Study: Cryptokicks IRL
Materials
Evolution Of Footwear Design and Making
4. MARKET
Target Audience
Demographics
5. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Project Proposal
Initial and Final Sketches
VR and Gravity Sketch
Renders
Prototypes
Visuals
6. EVALUATION
When reviewing the portfolio, it is crucial to carefully consider potential additions that would significantly enhance the body of work showcased.
In this project, the designer’s passion was channeled towards addressing prevalent industry challenges and finding innovative solutions and creating a design which can also be used in their portfolio and communicate that in a professional manner.
In order to strategically address the gaps in their portfolio and effectively represent their design skills, interests, and personal values in pursuit of employment opportunities, the designer should conscientiously undertake a design project that serves as a valuable and purposeful addition to their existing body of work. This endeavor will not only enable them to address any lacking areas but also provide an opportunity to showcase their aptitude and proficiency in relevant design disciplines, thereby bolstering their chances of securing desirable employment prospects. By carefully selecting and engaging in such a project, the designer can demonstrate a proactive approach towards professional growth and development, as well as a keen understanding of the industry's expectations and requirements.
The main targets being -
• Project Selection and Definition: Collaborate with the client to select a design project that will effectively address the identified portfolio gaps and align with their career objectives. Define clear project goals, objectives, and deliverables to guide the design process.
• Research and Concept Development: Conduct in-depth research related to the chosen project, including industry trends, user preferences, and design best practices. Develop a range of design concepts that showcase the client’s skills, interests, and personal values while addressing the identified portfolio gaps.
• Design Execution: Select the most promising design concept based on the client’s input and project requirements. Create high-quality design assets, incorporating innovative and visually compelling elements that reflect the client’s unique design style and proficiency.
Iterate and refine the design based on feedback and collaboration with the client.
The fashion industry is known for its fast-paced production cycles and excessive consumption of resources, leading to significant environmental impact. One of the key challenges faced by the industry is the lack of sustainable and reusable materials.
So the designer thought about How might we develop and implement design strategies that promote the use of sustainable and reusable materials in the fashion industry, reducing waste, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting a circular economy for the future?
• Create visually striking designs that capture attention in the metaverse.
• Allow high degrees of customization (colours and materials) to suit individual preferences in the metaverse and in real life (Personalised lasts of the buyers foot).
• Prioritize comfort and functionality for virtual terrains and activities.
• Incorporate interactive elements for an immersive experience.
• Embrace rarity and exclusivity to increase desirability.
• Ensure compatibility with major metaverse platforms.
• Enable social sharing and trading through NFT integration.
• Sustainability and reusability
Virtual Identity and Personalization: Designers must create fashion that aligns with users' virtual identities and allows for personalized self-expression in the metaverse.
Materiality and Texture: Translating physical fabrics into convincing digital textures is a challenge for designers, requiring careful consideration of lighting and rendering techniques.
Dynamic and Adaptive Fashion: Designers face the task of creating garments that respond to user input and environmental factors, utilizing technologies like motion capture and augmented reality overlays.
Intellectual Property and Copyright: Ownership and replication of virtual designs pose challenges, necessitating solutions for protecting intellectual property and monetizing creations in a decentralized ecosystem.
Sustainability and Ethics: Designers must address environmental sustainability and ethical labor practices in virtual fashion production and distribution.
Standardization and Interoperability: Achieving interoperability across platforms is crucial for seamless fashion experiences, requiring collaboration and adaptation to evolving technological standards.
User Experience and Accessibility: Designers need to prioritize user-centric design, inclusive principles, and accessibility to ensure enjoyable and accessible fashion experiences in the metaverse.
Feet are complex bioengineering structures that allow us to stand, walk, and engage in physical activities.
Feet consist of 26 bones, 33 joints, 19 muscles, 10 tendons, and 107 ligaments.
The forefoot is made up of five toes (phalanges) and five metatarsal bones.
The midfoot forms the arches of the feet and includes the three cuneiform bones, the cuboid bone, and the navicular bone. The hindfoot comprises the heel and ankle, with the talus bone supporting the leg bones.
The calcaneus (heel bone) is the largest bone in the foot. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments contribute to mobility and balance in the feet.
The Achilles tendon connects the heel to the calf muscle and is crucial for running, jumping, and toe-standing.
Men generally have longer and broader feet compared to women. A study found significant differences in calves, ankles, and foot shape variables between men and women.
Classification by gender using absolute values was correct 93% of the time, while standardized variables achieved an 85% accuracy.
Female feet and legs have distinct shape differences, particularly in the arch, lateral side of the foot, first toe, and ball of the foot.
The ankle joint consists of the tibia, fibula, and seven tarsal bones. The ankle allows the foot to move in six different ways, with dorsiflexion and plantarflexion being the primary movements.
• The metaverse is a virtual world where people can live, work, shop, and interact in a 3D environment.
• It is described as the inevitable evolution of the internet, offering a more immersive and expansive experience.
• The metaverse combines technologies like NFTs, gaming, and virtual reality to create a digital realm.
• Companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Qualcomm are investing billions in the concept.
• The metaverse has the potential to impact various sectors, including e-commerce, gaming, entertainment, education, and marketing.
• Currently, the metaverse is a collection of separate virtual spaces with limited interoperability.
• The metaverse’s success and adoption are still uncertain, with debates about its differences from existing digital experiences.
• The concept of the metaverse dates back to the 1992 sci-fi novel “Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson.
• Technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and blockchain play significant roles in the development of the metaverse.
• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are expected to have a substantial presence in the metaverse, enabling ownership of digital assets.
• Companies like Nike are entering the metaverse space through acquisitions and partnerships, offering virtual products and experiences.
• The metaverse has the potential to reshape business models and create new opportunities for companies and individuals.
• Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is a collection of 10,000 unique NFT apes.
• It gained popularity in the NFT and crypto community.
• Each Bored Ape NFT grants access to perks and events.
• BAYC has its own marketplace for buying, selling, and trading apes.
• The community is active on Discord and social media.
• Bored Ape NFTs have sold for millions of dollars.
• It has inspired similar projects in the NFT space.
• BAYC showcases the potential of NFTs in art and collectibles.
• It has influenced the NFT market and cultural adoption.
• CryptoPunks is a collection of 10,000 unique pixelated characters.
• It gained popularity in the NFT and crypto community.
• Each CryptoPunk has distinct attributes and rarity.
• CryptoPunks introduced the concept of NFTs on Ethereum.
• They have their own marketplace for buying, selling, and trading.
• Some CryptoPunks have sold for millions of dollars.
• They inspired subsequent projects and contributed to NFT market growth.
• CryptoPunks popularized owning unique digital assets on the blockchain.
• They showcased the potential of NFTs for digital ownership.
• Clone X x Takashi Murakami is a collaborative NFT project.
• It involves the renowned artist Takashi Murakami and the virtual influencer Clone X.
• The project gained attention in the NFT and art community.
• It combines Murakami's iconic art style with the virtual world of Clone X.
• The collaboration resulted in unique and limited edition NFT artworks.
• The NFTs were made available for purchase on various platforms.
• Clone X x Takashi Murakami NFTs attracted collectors and fans of both artists.
• The project exemplified the intersection of traditional art and digital collectibles.
• It showcased the potential of NFT collaborations between established artists and virtual influencers.
• Clone X x Takashi Murakami NFTs contributed to the expanding landscape of art in the metaverse.
Fashion plays a significant role within the metaverse, allowing individuals to express themselves and experiment with virtual identities.
Virtual fashion designers create unique digital garments and accessories for users to customize their appearance within virtual environments.
Metaverse fashion offers boundless creativity and self-expression, breaking free from physical limitations. Virtual fashion has sustainability potential, as it doesn’t require physical production or consumption like traditional fashion. Metaverse fashion provides new avenues for brands and designers to connect with their audience through virtual shows and immersive shopping experiences like games and the Virtual reality environment.
Gucci:
Gucci has partnered with Roblox, a popular virtual platform, to launch a virtual Gucci Garden experience where users can explore and purchase exclusive virtual items.
Nike:
Nike has created virtual sneakers called "CryptoKicks" that can be purchased and traded on the blockchain. These digital sneakers can be worn in virtual reality (VR) experiences and games.
Louis Vuitton:
Louis Vuitton has partnered with the video game League of Legends to design ingame outfits and a virtual trophy case for the game’s World Championship.
Dolce & Gabbana:
Dolce & Gabbana has launched a virtual boutique in the fashion game Zepeto, allowing players to dress their avatars in digital versions of the brand's clothing.
FIGURE 10: GUCCI IN ROBLOX
• Background:
- The rise of NFTs has demonstrated the value of digital assets in the art world.
- Footwear brands like adidas and Nike have entered the Web3 space by collaborating with notable creators for virtual goods.
- Some digital sneaker projects have faced criticism for lacking the physical aspect that traditional sneaker collecting entails.
• Objective:
- Nike and RTFKT aim to reconcile the digital and physical worlds by introducing Cryptokicks iRL, the “first native Web3 sneaker.”
Design and Features:
- Cryptokicks iRL draws inspiration from Nike’s self-lacing sneakers, particularly the Adapt BB 2.0.
- The shoe incorporates autolacing, enhanced lighting, haptic feedback, gesture control, walk detection, app connectivity, AI/ML algorithms, and wireless charging.
- The design pays homage to Tinker Hatfield’s Air Mag but adopts a similar silhouette to the Adapt BB 2.0.
• Limited Edition and NFT Integration:
- Cryptokicks iRL will be produced in a limited quantity of 19,000 pairs.
- The colorway split will be determined by collectors themselves.
- The shoes will be sold as NFTs, enabling collectors to redeem them for physical counterparts through a process called “Forging.”
• Results and Impact:
- Cryptokicks iRL represents an innovative approach to merging the digital and physical worlds within the sneaker industry.
- By incorporating advanced technologies and NFT integration, the project aims to appeal to both traditional collectors and enthusiasts interested in digital assets.
- The limited edition and NFT redemption process add exclusivity and value to the shoes.
• Lessons Learned:
- Integrating digital and physical elements can help bridge the gap between traditional hobbies and emerging technologies.
- Collaboration between established brands and Web3 platforms can create unique and compelling experiences for consumers.
- Limited edition releases and NFT integration can enhance the perceived value and desirability of products.
• Future Opportunities:
- The success of Cryptokicks iRL may inspire other footwear brands to explore similar projects, blending physical and digital aspects to cater to evolving consumer preferences.
- Continued experimentation with NFTs and Web3 technologies could lead to new avenues for creative expression and value creation within the sneaker industry.
- Collectors and enthusiasts may increasingly embrace the idea of owning both digital and physical versions of limited edition sneakers, expanding the market for hybrid products like Cryptokicks iRL.
Nylon filaments, such as Nylon 6 or Nylon 12, are known for their strength, durability, and flexibility. Nylon is resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for printing functional parts of sneakers that experience stress and strain. It offers good layer adhesion and can withstand repeated use.
PROS:
• Strength and Durability
• Flexibility
• Impact Resistance
• Lightweight
• Wide Range of Colors
CONS:
• Moisture Absorption
• Printing Challenges
• Cost
• Post-Processing Requirements
PLA is a popular filament widely used in 3D printing due to its ease of use and biodegradability. While PLA is not as flexible as TPU, it can still be used for printing certain components of sneakers that don’t require extreme flexibility, such as the upper parts or decorative elements. PLA is available in a wide range of colors and is relatively affordable.
PROS:
• Ease of Use
• Biodegradability
• Wide Range of Colors and Finishes
• Good Dimensional Accuracy
• Minimal Warping
CONS:
• Limited Flexibility
• Lower Impact Resistance
• Limited Heat Resistance
• Longer-term Degradation
• Lower Strength
After a thorough research and a couple of yutube videos watched by the designer the designer plans on using -
Can you 3d print shoes for free by Seth Fowlerhttps://youtu.be/FdSNYK2r1u8
TPU is a flexible filament known for its elasticity and durability. It offers excellent impact resistance and is commonly used in shoe soles and other flexible parts of sneakers. TPU filaments provide good layer adhesion and can withstand repeated bending and stretching.
PROS:
• Flexibility and Elasticity: TPU is known for its excellent flexibility and elasticity. It can be used to create flexible parts of shoes, such as the soles or other components that require bending or stretching.
• Impact Resistance: TPU offers good impact resistance, making it suitable for shoes that may experience frequent impacts or heavy use. It can withstand shocks and provide protection against wear and tear.
• Durability: TPU is highly durable and resistant to abrasion, making it suitable for producing long-lasting 3D printed shoes. It can withstand repeated use and maintain its integrity.
• Excellent Layer Adhesion: TPU has good layer adhesion properties, which contributes to the overall strength and stability of 3D printed shoes. It ensures that the layers bond well and reduces the risk of delamination.
• Chemical Resistance: TPU exhibits good resistance to various chemicals, oils, and solvents. This can be advantageous in certain shoe applications where exposure to such substances is expected.
CONS:
• Printing Challenges: TPU can be more challenging to print compared to rigid filaments like PLA or ABS. It requires specific printer settings, such as lower printing speeds and temperatures, to prevent issues like stringing or warping.
• Limited Detail Resolution: Due to its flexibility, TPU may have limitations in achieving intricate details or sharp edges in 3D printed shoe designs. The material’s softness can make fine details less pronounced.
• Limited Color Options: Compared to PLA, TPU filament may have a more limited range of color options available. However, there are still various color choices, albeit not as extensive as with some other filaments.
FIGURE 15: NYLON FILAMENT FIGURE 16: PLA FILAMENT
Footwear design began thousands of years ago with basic shoes made from natural materials like leather, grass, and animal hides. Early footwear served as protective coverings and evolved slowly over time
Contemporary Trends:
Footwear became more elaborate and symbolized social status.
Skilled cobblers crafted shoes adorned with intricate embroidery, jewels, and luxurious materials.
The Renaissance period introduced high-heeled shoes and refined shoemaking techniques.
The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century revolutionized footwear production. Machinery and standardized techniques enabled mass production, making shoes more affordable and accessible. The Bata Shoe Company played a significant role in the industrialization of footwear production.
Footwear design emphasizes aesthetics and functionality. Designers explore unconventional materials, avant-garde forms, and sustainability. Customization and personalization options are offered by brands to cater to individual preferences.
Technological Innovations:
The 20th century saw advancements in design and manufacturing.
Athletic footwear and specialized shoes for performance gained popularity. Brands like Nike and Adidas introduced innovative designs and technologies.
Materials science and manufacturing technologies have advanced. 3D printing enables prototyping and customization. Digital modeling, virtual reality, and augmented reality revolutionize the design process.
It’s important to note that the metaverse is a dynamic and evolving space, and the target audience may shift and expand over time as the metaverse ecosystem grows and new user segments emerge.
• Metaverse Enthusiasts: The primary audience would consist of individuals who are enthusiastic about the metaverse, virtual reality, and virtual communities. They actively engage in virtual environments, spend significant time in the metaverse, and appreciate the immersive experiences it offers.
• Digital Fashion Trendsetters: The target audience would include trendsetters and early adopters of digital fashion. They enjoy expressing their individuality through unique, eye-catching designs and styles in the virtual realm. They value digital fashion as a means of self-expression and personal branding within the metaverse.
• Customization Enthusiasts: Users who are interested in customizing their virtual avatars and belongings to reflect their personality and preferences would be attracted to a sneaker brand offering 3D-printed shoes. They appreciate the ability to personalize their footwear and stand out from the crowd.
• Collectors and Limited Edition Seekers: Within the metaverse, there is often a strong culture of collecting and seeking limited edition items. Users who enjoy collecting virtual sneakers or limited-edition virtual items would be a target audience for the brand. Limited availability or exclusive designs could drive demand among these users.
• Tech-Savvy Individuals: As 3D printing is a core aspect of the brand, the target audience would likely include tech-savvy individuals who are familiar with and enthusiastic about technological advancements. They appreciate the intersection of technology and fashion and are excited about the possibilities offered by 3D printing.
• Age: The target audience is likely to span across different age groups, but there may be a higher concentration of younger individuals who are more engaged in the metaverse. This could include Gen Z and millennial users who are tech-savvy and early adopters of digital trends.
• Gender: The audience could be diverse in terms of gender, as the metaverse attracts people of all genders. However, it’s worth noting that the sneaker culture and digital fashion trends have historically been popular among males. The brand may need to consider catering to the preferences of both male and female users or offering gender-neutral designs to appeal to a wider audience.
• Geographic Location: Since the metaverse is accessible globally, the target audience can be dispersed across different regions and countries. However, it’s possible that regions with higher digital connectivity and a more significant presence in the metaverse, such as North America, Europe, and certain parts of Asia, could have a higher concentration of potential users.
• Socioeconomic Status: The socioeconomic status of the target audience can vary. In general, active participants in the metaverse may have access to the necessary technology and internet connectivity to engage in virtual environments. However, it’s important to consider that access to technology and disposable income can influence the purchasing power and affordability of virtual goods.
• Interests and Hobbies: The target audience’s interests and hobbies may align with technology, gaming, virtual reality, fashion, digital art, and customization. These individuals may be enthusiasts of digital platforms, gamers, or passionate about exploring creative outlets within the metaverse.
The designer has tried to make the product Good, Quick and Cheap
GOOD -The product will be purchased in the metaverse which will be a quick purchase and can be directly be worn by the cutomers meta character, the buyer can also change the colours, materials and textures of the shoe making the shoes unique, the buyer can also purchase a physical version of the made according to their foots last which will provide them maximum comfort and will be made made of sustainable materials promoting sustainability in fashion.
QUICK - The application of the product will be quick and easy as the user has to buy it and customise and fit onto the metacharacter and by the process of 3D printing the production of the physical shoe will also be very quick.
CHEAP - The designer plans to make the pricing as competititve to the products already exisitng in the market while promoting sustainability and reusability.
1.Discover- The problem discovered by the designer was sustainability and reusability of materials in the fashion industry, the designers also discovered the growth of the fashion industry in the metaverse.
2. Define- The designer defined this problem by doing research on the statistics of materials and other resources wasted in the fashion industry and also conducted research on the brands exisitng in the metaverse and their progeress.
1. Develop- The desgner came up with a concept for sneakers i the metaverse that can be purchased in the metaverse and customised in the metaverse and the buyer can also get a physical version of the shoe which will provide them a tailored fit and whenver the new sneaker releases they can either return the existitng shoe for the newer version or order the new pair which can be built on the same last of their foot used to make the previos version.
2. Deliver- This concept will not only be a solution to the problem but will also merge the virtual and physcial world of design together to create a more sustainable solution for design and the fashion industry.
The footwear/ fashion industry is facing a huge problem as around 85% of the pairs produced (20 billion+ pairs of shoes) are dumped into landfill all around the world each year due to which a lot of resources and materials go to waste.
The design will help in providing the customers with the following-
Personalization: The ability to customize the virtual sneakers according to color, style, and materials allows users to express their unique fashion taste and create a one-ofa-kind pair of sneakers that reflects their individuality. The option to have a physical pair made according to their foot measurements further enhances the personalized experience.
The designer came up with a concept for creating sneakers in the MetaVerse that can be purchased and worn virtually by users, while also allowing them to obtain a physical pair of fused 3D lattice constructed sneakers tailored to their feet and design preferences in the real world. By merging the virtual and physical realms, this proposal aims to offer a unique and personalized experience to consumers, combining the benefits of digital fashion with the tangible appeal of physical products. A new design will be released on a monthly basis and the buyers can return their original pair which can be reused to create the new shoe making it extremely sustainable and recyclable.
Immersive Virtual Experience: By integrating the MetaVerse, users can enjoy an immersive and interactive experience within virtual showrooms, trying on different virtual sneakers, and exploring the latest designs. This bridges the gap between digital fashion and the real world, providing users with an engaging way to explore and shop for sneakers.
Convenience and Accessibility: Purchasing sneakers in the MetaVerse eliminates the limitations of physical stores, such as limited stock or geographical constraints. Users can access the virtual platform from anywhere, at any time, and easily browse through a wide range of designs, ensuring a convenient and accessible shopping experience.
Visualizing Fit and Style: The virtual try-on feature using AR technology enables users to visualize how the customized sneakers would look on their feet before making a purchase decision. This eliminates uncertainties and helps users make more informed choices, ensuring that the physical pair they receive aligns with their expectations.
Virtual Sneaker Design: The designer plans on developing a versatile collection of sneakers designed specifically for the MetaVerse, featuring a range of styles, colors, patterns, and materials, These virtual sneakers will be created with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring an immersive and visually appealing experience for users and will be 3D printed on order and be a custom fit for the buyer.
Customization Options: To enhance personalization, users will have the ability to customize various aspects of their virtual sneakers, such as color combinations, textures, branding elements, and additional embellishments. This will allow them to create a truly unique pair of sneakers that reflect their individual style in the metaverse and in real life.
Using advanced augmented reality (AR) technology, users can virtually try on the sneakers they’ve customized within the MetaVerse. This feature will enable them to visualize how the sneakers would look on their feet, allowing for a more informed decision-making process before purchasing
Tailored Fit and Comfort: The incorporation of foot measurement and analysis allows for the production of physical sneakers that are customized to fit the individual’s feet. This ensures optimal comfort, support, and a better overall wearing experience compared to off-the-shelf sneakers.
Sustainability: By offering virtual sneakers that exist purely in the digital realm, this concept reduces the waste of over-production and associated environmental impacts. Users can enjoy the latest fashion trends without contributing to excessive material waste, making it a more sustainable choice.
Project Plan Including The Design Process-
WEEK 1: Research on foot anatomy, the metaverse and shoe making
WEEK 2: Use of Double Diamond and Good, quick and cheap pyramid to review the proposal
WEEK 3: Initial sketches and Final sketches, Designing in VR
WEEK 4: Tweaking the design, finalsing colour ways and final renders of the shoe
• The designer began the design process by creating initial sketches on paper to conceptualize the shoe design.
• Transitioning to the digital realm, Adobe Illustrator was employed as a powerful tool to bring the sketches to life.
• Utilizing the pen tool within Adobe Illustrator, the designer meticulously outlined the shoes, capturing every intricate detail.
• The digital platform provided flexibility and precision, allowing for seamless refinement and modification of the designs.
• After a few induction tutorials at the Innovation studio the designer used Gravity skeetch to make the shoe and work on it as a lot of footwear designers and makers use it to create shoe as it makes it easier and much more precise to add detials and work overall on the shoe.
• The designer initiated the process by creating a last that precisely matched the contours of their foot.
• A separate last was then constructed to specifically accommodate the dimensions of the designer’s foot.
• The completed last was outlined using a loop tool, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
• The designer subdivided the last to align with the initial sketch, ensuring a seamless integration.
• Design elements were thoughtfully incorporated onto the shoe, enhancing its visual appeal.
• The designer proceeded to focus on the development of the midsole and outsole of the shoe.
• The midsole and outsole were attached to the upper part of the shoe, creating a functional and cohesive product.
• After finalizing the design in Gravity Sketch, the designer proceeded to convert it into an FBX file format, facilitating smooth transfer to Blender for additional refinement.
• In Blender, the designer used the software’s capabilities to incorporate intricate details, textures, and meticulously make precise adjustments to perfect the 3D model.
• The designer took advantage of Blender’s versatility, allowing for heightened creative control and the ability to fine-tune the design in accordance with their vision.
• Through an iterative process, the designer iteratively modified and enhanced the design, ensuring that the final 3D model captured the desired aesthetics and functionality of the envisioned shoe design.
• This refining process in Blender resulted in a more polished and realistic representation of the shoe design, encompassing the finalized colorways and attaining the desired level of perfection.
• The designer also created a set for taking hero shots of the shoe added a turntable and various 3 point lightings and external objects for adding shadow for the better hero shots.
• The designer tried working on re modelling a few parts of the shoe by using the sub division tool which was a process of trial and error.
• The designer attended sessions for Twin motion 2023 trail version and learned different ways it can be used for rendering and presenting products.
• The designer also created a whole set on blender with 3 point lighting, a turntable, a few pannels and a backdrop shown on FIGURE 24 to create a surrounding around the shoe and added surface imperfections to create a realistic render.
DETAILED CLAY RENDER ON TWIN MOTION WITH SKETCH
DETAILED RENDER ON TWIN MOTION WITH SKETCH
SAMPLE COLOURWAY 1
SAMPLE COLOURWAY 2
• The designer created mini 3D printed protype with minimal support on Cura using the PLA filament to gain insights into the intricacies of the sneaker’s distinctive shape and form.
• By bringing the design to life in a tangible manner, the designer was able to assess the contours, understand the ideal proportions, and explore the interplay of various elements, ensuring that the sneaker is a fusion of aesthetics and functionality.
• The designer watched a few videos to understand the settings and the files to be used: I 3D printed Air Jordan 1’s by Seth Fowler- https://youtu.be/9_KzRpMC8EE and Can you 3d print shoes for free by Seth Fowler- https://youtu.be/FdSNYK2r1u8
The designer added the fbx file from blender onto twin motion and adjusted the size of the shoe and changed the colours to create the renders of the shoe.
The designer made the renders on Blender, then added the PNG onto photoshop and added some noise and liquified the background.
In this semester, I got to learn new design methods and techniques and used them to design and make prototypes of the product and create something which matches the personal interest of the designer and would be able to make the designers portfolio better.
I was able to define my own design brief based on my passion of designing and making footwears and solve the problems of waste of resources and footwear and how different approaches and designs can reduce wastage of materials and resources in the footwear industry and make futuristic sneakers that can be worn virtually in the metaverse and create fully customisable 3D printed shoes that will be made according to the scan of the buyers feet.
In this semester, I understood the importance of independent research and how primary research can help me in utilising better resources and techniques to create sneakers and model them.
I used the concept of Double Diamond as I used the design model to find a problem- the wastage of materials in the footwear industry, do my research on ways to solve the problem, and find a solution for the industry and the future which is creating a sneaker that can be worn in the metaverse and can be 3D printed to create a physical version of the shoe which will made fully custom from the buyers scan.
I also used the model of Good, Quick and Cheap to review my product and tried achieving all 3 goals the product will help in reducing the wastage of materials and resource in the industry and the 3D printed filament can be reused and recycled, as the product can be purchased in the metaverse the only time will be consumed in producing the shoe when the buyer wants to get a 3D printed pair which is also a quick process. The price of using 3D printed filament like TPU is also inexpensive which was discovered by the designer after doing the research on existing 3D printed shoes and the best filaments to make a sneaker. The designer found that TPU has a lot of benefits and can be reused and recycled easily.
I attended a few sessions of Gravity sketch which was a new skill for me as they got to learn how to use VR and gravity sketch to make designs and understand the process of creation of sneakers used by industry professionals after finalising one design from the sketches made by me.
Once the design was created in Gravity sketch the I started working on Blender to make a few adjustments and add details and textures onto the shoe the refining process in Blender resulted in a more polished and realistic representation of the shoe design and how it would look in real life.
I also used Blender to create realistic Hero shots for the sneaker and created a whole set for it. I also used Twin motion to create various different renders of my shoe and I also used Photoshop to make the background a bit blurry and used the liquifying tool to make the sneaker the main focus.
During the prototype phase, I planned on 3D printing a mini version of the sneaker to understand the shape and the form of the shoe in real life with the PLA filament with infill and support which made the shoe extremely stiff and stable.
I wanted to create a wearable version of the shoe but was not able to do it in the timeline of the project.
In the future I plan on creating a real life wearable version of the shoe which is as good as a factory produced sneaker and create new versions of the sneaker in the metaverse. The buyer will be able to replace the pair purchased by them in real life and exchange it for the newer version of the shoe making the shoe sustainable and the filament used to make the shoe reusable and better for the future.
In conclusion, I got to create a sneaker using the same process created by the industry professionals and learn new things about the Metaverse, 3D printing and a whole new software Gravity sketch that can be used in the future to create new versions of the sneaker and develop a real life version of the shoe in the future.
FIG 1- https://www.bettershoes.org/home/post-consumer-life
FIG 2- https://www.anatomystuff.co.uk/foot-ankle-anatomy-chart-poster.html
FIG 3- https://www.shewear.com.au/pages/the-difference-between-men-and-womens-feet
FIG 4- https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/movement-about-joints-part-7-the-ankle
FIG 5- https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/03/21/a-short-history-of-the-metaverse/?sh=4ab76dba5968
FIG 6-
https://smallbiztrends.com/2022/02/best-selling-most-popular-nfts-february-18-2022.html
FIG 7- https://cryptopotato.com/cryptopunks-guide/
FIG 8- https://www.nft-stats.com/collection/clonex
FIG 9-
https://www.esports.net/news/crypto-gaming/digital-fashion-metaverse/
FIG 10-
https://www.inverse.com/input/style/gucci-roblox-metaverse-world-gucci-town
https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/news-analysis/nike-jumps-into-metaverse-with-virtual-worldon-roblox-platform/
FIG 11-
FIG 12-
https://www.tmz.com/2019/09/24/louis-vuitton-custom-case-league-of-legends-trophy-summonerscup/
FIG 13-
FIG 14-
FIG 15-
https://www.lofficielibiza.com/fashion/what-is-the-metaverse-fashion-collections-nft
https://sneakernews.com/2022/12/07/nike-cryptokicks-irl-release-date/
https://zmorph3d.com/blog/nylon-3d-printing-materials-overview/
FIG 16- https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/3d-printing-materials/2208863
FIG 17- https://additiv-tech.ru/en/news/all-you-need-know-about-tpu-3d-printing.html