EVA Moccasin: Creating a research archetype to explore shoe use

In this paper three separate approaches to recording use data are encompassed in a single shoe sole prototype. A shoe sole with electronic and nonelectronic sensors is crafted using 3D printing of flexible materials from programed g-Code. The sole is inserted into a laser cut, 3D printing reinforced shoe upper. The shoe and sole are constructed from a design process of "Prototyping as a vehicle for inquiry" [7]. The idea of slow technology is applied during the inquiry and new methods of non-electronic sensing are developed. The first approach uses flexible, conductive 3D printed material to construct pressure sensors in the shoe sole. The second approach uses photographic analysis and material color change to determine use over time. The third method creates micro geometric structures via code that are intended to break in specific ways with specific use. Although many hours are spent developing these approaches, the shoe serves as a research archetype that attempts to asks questions about precision, design and sustainability.