Designing a Shoe: Part 3

Now that we’ve designed the shoe on paper and on a computer it’s time to hold it in your hand.

This is the final installment of design a shoe. Please see parts 1 and 2 for the previous steps. 

Step 6)

Once the specification sheet is made, you have the necessary instructions to make a model. The model is exactly what the shoe would look like if it was to be ready to be sold in stores. The model is used in the next step, testing, to ensure the shoe performs and as holds up as it’s designed to. The model also shows what the shoe looks like on the foot and allows design elements to be changed to make the shoe more visually appealing.

Step 7)

The image shoes a graph of the results of a test of how different sneakers displace the forces the wearer impacts on them.

Shoes are subject to scientific testing and research to examine how humans wear them and their affect on humans, especially their knees and other joints. Sneakers are especially subject to extensive testing because they are used for athletic activities. Most fashion shoes, such as heels and sandals go through less testing. They are mainly tested for their looks.

Step 8)

If the shoe passes the tests, it becomes a finish product and can be found in a store near you.

However, the shoe often goes through many rounds of models and testing before it is ready to be worn by consumers.

The process does not end when shoe hits stores. Based on sales, designers create the design for next season shoes. If shoe sells well, designers often design a similar version for the next season

Because of this, the design process includes simulation. Although the shoe may be something truly unique and different, it is often a few minor tweaks on an old style.

Hopefully you found this information on the design process informative! Please let me know if you have any further questions or if there are any other aspects of shoes you would like to learn more about.


Related Posts:
Designing a Shoe Part 1
Designing a Shoe Part 2

Sources:

Design Museum. (n.d.). Manolo Blahnik. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://designmuseum.org/design/manolo-blahnik.

Good, J. (n.d.). The design process. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://www.shoedesign.co.uk/design.htm.

Hellenbeck design LLC. (n.d.). Steps in the process. Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://www.shoedesign.com/stepsintheprocess.html.

  

Kunchinsky, R. (2006).Footwear concept design process. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://www.firstpullover.com/2006/06/footwear-concept-design-process.html.

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