Post 3: Upcycle Progress – Sophie Berry

As for progress I have decided what I am going to make and have done a bit of research about how I might want my idea to look and function.

I have decided on the Upcycle shoes because I already have some materials that might be useful in this project. This project incorporates some of the concepts I would have used in other projects I had brainstormed like using different materials like fabric/ fabric like materials, possibly recycling other parts of clothing, and has the potential to recycle plastic. I am also interested that the project presents unique challenges not only because I have never made shoes before, but because it also requires creativity in relation to overcoming the constraints like the up-cycling factor, time, skill, resources, etc.

I have a few different examples that I found online that I think would fit the idea that I am going for. Two of them are sock like shoes with the base being a sock with possibly some support from within and then to add traction a rubber like layer to protect the feet from sharper objects. I had also looked into toe shoes because of their minimalist design around the foot. Then I looked into slip-on shoes that had no laces and the fabric was what kept the shoe on one’s foot. From a quick google search online I thought these looked nice because of the simple color scheme and minimal look of the fabric. 

From doing that research I narrowed my design to a modest looking shoe that hopefully lets you “feel” the ground and not just encase your foot in rubber, foam, and fabric that have massive soles. 

As for next steps this week I will gather the different fabrics I mentioned earlier and I had in mind for the project. I will also draw what kind of idea I had in mind for each part of the shoe which might require more research to know what goes into a shoe.

Then after that week if I haven’t already I will finish collecting the remaining materials that I will need. I will start assembling the project. That week will also be for if anything goes wrong then I can adjust design plans accordingly. That will be a work week to finish assembly and see the final product by the due date. 🙂

Citation: Skinners sock shoes: https://skinners.cc/en/skinners-comfort

Sock shoe: https://thesockshoes.com/

Toe shoes: https://www.vibram.com/us/shop/fivefingers/men

Slip on shoes: https://vessi.com/products/mens-everyday-move-slip-ons-onyx-black

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Post 3 Prompt: What progress have you made on your Upcycle project? Show your plans. What does your fabrication schedule look like? What materials have you collected?