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Project
Gency Inflatable Shoe
Gency is an instant emergency inflatable footwear concept that allows users to quickly change from uncomfortable shoes to pocket-size comfortable shoes in seconds. Throughout this project, I gained valuable experience in prototyping inflatables. The prototype is currently semi-functional. This project exhibits research, proof of concept, and rapid inflatable prototyping.
Problem
Heels are cute but they hurt...
From homecoming, prom, a show, a date, or a night out, heels may be a stylish go-to to complete any outfit for many individuals. However, even as an iconic fashion choice, heels are currently the most uncomfortable and damaging type of shoe on the market today. They can cause various injuries, which can have lasting harmful health effects.
Actual footage of my friends struggling with their heels
Context/Background
Market Analysis
Consumer Insights
Takeaways & Consumer Insights
Problem Statement
Ideation
shoes as one piece of material
What if the shoes could roll
inflatable shoes?
Opportunity Matrix
Sketches
inflatable shoe with air hole in the back
Prototyping (Low Fidelity)
various initial prototypes with different materials
unfortunately
Prototyping (Medium Fidelity)
Lesson Learned
From the low-fidelity prototypes, I noticed I kept struggling to make sealed connections in the material that could hold both weight and air. So I wondered, what material or system is really good at holding compressed air while also sustaining weight? The answer became clear—bike inner tubes!
Lesson Learned
The bike inner tube has a tendency to over inflate. In order to control how much the inner tube inflates I created a fabric tube that would go over the inner tube limiting its ability to inflate fully.
Final Prototype Development
(semi-functional)
Problem
Nothing is on the bottom of the shoe to keep it from slipping. How might we rapidly prototype a slip-proof surface? Spray rubber flex seal!
to small pocket-size tube
full shoe
Gency in Action
In its current state, the prototype is semi-functional. The prototype can sustain my weight and is durable/comfortable enough to walk around. However, to inflate, one needs a bike pump, and the rubber needs to be removed to fit
Shoe Carrying Bag
Users mentioned that they wanted a way to carry their heels home at the end of the night without hassle. What if there was an additional carrying bag that houses the emergency shoe when not in use?
Prototype 1
Created pattern from a plastic shopping bag. plastic shopping bags can be easily folded into flat square. Looking to mimic this compactness
Prototype 2
Reduced the size of the handles so they could easily fold into a pouch that could fit into a pocket
Prototype (High Fidelity Concept)
The Rubber inner tube prototype provides a semi functional proof of concept. This model represents a 3D printed version of a higher fidelity footbed model
Final Prototype
Gency at a Glance
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