STEP 1

BRAINSTORM & PLAN

Come up with as many ideas as you can! Look over all the materials you have available and think about how you can use them in your design. Choose one idea that best fits the design criteria. Sketch your idea on a piece of paper and label the materials that you will use.
– What are your ideas for a shoe that has never been made before?

STEP 2

PROTOTYPE

Create a prototype of the shoe you designed! Start with a base by tracing your foot on a piece of cardboard or paper and cutting along the outline. Use a variety of materials to add to this base.
– What materials can you use to make sure the shoe stays attached to your foot?
– How can you make the shoe more durable?
– Can you add color or decorations to personalize your shoes?

STEP 3

TEST

Try on your prototype! Check your prototype for anything that might poke your foot. Walk, run, and jump around. Record your observations.
– What worked well in your design?
– What needs improvement?

STEP 4

ITERATE

Based on your observations, adjust your design to brainstorm, plan, build, and test a new prototype!
– What parts of your shoe can you improve and how?

WHAT'S NEXT?

Reflect. After you complete the challenge, reflect on your experience:
– What problems did you have in your design and how did you use your creativity to solve them?
– What is something else around your house you could redesign?

Dora Medrano Ramos

I am a Lead Maker Trainer at Maker Education Initiative where I develop and facilitate professional learning experiences for educators across the country.

Please Note

Your safety is your own responsibility, including proper use of equipment and safety gear, and determining whether you have adequate skill and experience. Power tools, electricity, and other resources used for these projects are dangerous, unless used properly and with adequate precautions, including safety gear and adult supervision. Some illustrative photos do not depict safety precautions or equipment, in order to show the project steps more clearly. Use of the instructions and suggestions found in Maker Camp is at your own risk. Maker Media, Inc., disclaims all responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or expense.

Shoe Design Challenge

30 minutes - 1 hour

TO COMPLETE

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?

How do designers create new things? They follow a design process! First, they decide on specific design criteria, brainstorm their ideas, and sketch their plans. Next, they use a variety of available materials in order to build a prototype that meets their design criteria. After testing their prototype, they iterate on their design to make it better. Designers must be creative problem solvers!

In this maker activity, your challenge is to use the design process to design your dream shoe that has the following criteria:
- Uses recyclable materials
- Stays on your foot on it’s own
- Reflects your own personal style

WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

Construction Paper
Markers
Cardboard
Scissors
Fabric or Felt
Tape
Yarn
Glue
Pom Poms
Pipecleaners
Craft sticks
Any other craft supplies you have around the house!