Canvas Shoe Design

Ok, so this post has been a long time coming. I've just been to busy to post some projects from the beginning of the semester, but now have some time as I am sitting in front of a laser cutter for a few hours cutting out modules for Smart Surfaces.

Here we have the Canvas Shoes from early on in the semester in More w/ Less. I took the starting project that Jan gave us to create shoes out of paper that could support a persons weight and decided to develop my tubular paper shoes further with canvas. In this second phase of the project, we were specifically designing shoes for one of our class mates.

Enter Mallory.

I interviewed Mallory on her shoe preferences, foot size, likes/dislikes, and found a few main things she wanted in shoes,

-she enjoyed simple flats with a little experimentation to them

-organic, flowing, intertwined shoes drew her curiosity in

-a engaging sole print was a plus

-cooler color for the major color

-comfort

So with that in mind, I did a little research into where flexibility and, more importantly, where rigidity was needed for a correct human gate. I also read up on arch support and designing for comfort and impact resistance.

We would be critiqued on how comfortable the shoes were for the users, how long they lasted, and meeting the users overall needs and desires.

Mallory modeling my shoes for her.

I developed the rolled tube design of my paper shoes because of their incredible strength and the ability to add flexibility and rigidity where it was needed. When the short tubes were glued to the sole they naturally had flexibility against one another, but by simply strategically glueing tubes together, I could create rigid sections to provide support for Mallory's arches and give her a platform to push off of when walking.

I made the tubes out of a canvas often used in awnings and on boats called Sunbrella, I chose it because it was waterproof, highly fade resistant and just as importantly, soft to the touch. The sunbrella was cut into thin strips, rolled, and glued. I then attached each roll to the sole. The sole was made from a combination of layers of Sunbrella fabric and bristol board. The bristol board was used to keep the wearer from feeling the tubes through the fabric.

Assembly.

Rolled Sunbrella Tubes attached to the base of the sole.

The Sunbrella tubes had a nice tendency to compress under walking weight, which enabled me to provide the user (Mallory) with a nice level of comfort when walking.

The tubes that make up the outsole.

I used navy blue Sunbrella because Mallory liked cooler colors on her shoes, but threw in some yellow to appeal to Mallory's desire for a little flair and experimentation. For the color I used a handkerchief with a white and black paisley pattern printed on it and hand sewed it to the footbeds. I used this to add color to both the footbed and to the weave that made up the uppers. I specifically chose to weave the uppers because of Mallory's desire for flowing, interconnected footwear and because of the stretch and flexibility it would offer for Mallory's foot to stay in the footbed comfortably.

The yellow handkerchief sewn onto the footbed.

The weave that made up the uppers of the flats.

To provide arch support I added taller tubes to the sole under the foots arches. These were roughly 1/8th of an inch taller than the rest of the tubes and when the user stood or walked in the shoes, the taller tubes pushed the footbeds up and provide support for the arches. I felt that providing arch support through the soles instead of building up the footbeds was a more material efficient and more effective way of providing support when walking or standing.

Mallory, enjoying the early fall sun in her new flats.

Overall, Mallory was happy with the shoes I designed for her. I was able to provide her with everything she was looking for and was able to do it efficiently materials wise. The pair of shoes used only 2/3rds of a yard of Sunbrella and was still able to provide comfort, support and looks.

Thanks for reading.