FOOTPRINT
Expanding Sustainability One Step at a Time
A sustainable, expandable shoe that grows with children, reducing financial and environmental costs.
The Problem
Children’s feet grow rapidly, leading to frequent shoe purchases and excessive waste. The footwear industry contributes significantly to landfill waste, with traditional shoes taking centuries to decompose. Parents need an affordable, durable solution that addresses both financial strain and environmental impact.
Children’s Shoe Purchase Cycle
User Research
Through user research, we discovered that parents are concerned about both the cost of replacing shoes and the environmental impact of waste. Our findings revealed two key personas:
“Budget-Conscious Parent”
Emily Parker, 34
Occupation: Teacher
Children: 2 (Ages 3 and 6)
Motivations: Emily is focused on making smart financial decisions for her family. She looks for shoes that are durable yet affordable, as her kids grow out of them quickly. Emily is frustrated with constantly buying new shoes and feels it’s a waste of money.
Goals: Emily wants shoes that last longer and accommodate her children's growth, so she can avoid purchasing new pairs every few months.
Pain Points: Frequent shoe purchases due to growth spurts, difficulty finding affordable options, and feeling that durable shoes don’t last long enough to justify their price.
“Eco-Conscious Parent”
Ben Armstrong, 40
Occupation: Software Engineer
Children: 1 (Age 5)
Motivations: Ben is concerned about environmental sustainability and wants to minimize his family's ecological footprint. He actively seeks out eco-friendly products but struggles to find sustainable shoes for his growing child.
Goals: Ben is looking for a biodegradable shoe that grows with his child and aligns with his eco-friendly values.
Pain Points: Lack of sustainable children's footwear options, concern about the environmental impact of shoe waste, and feeling guilty about contributing to landfill waste.
Design Process: From Ideation to Prototypes
We explored multiple design solutions to address the problem of outgrowing shoes quickly. The key design challenge was to create a shoe that could adjust in size without sacrificing comfort or durability.
Design Process: Prototyping and Usability Testing
Our prototyping phase focused on creating a fully functional version of the Footprint shoe that could expand in size while maintaining durability and comfort. We aimed to test the usability of the shoe’s adjustment mechanism and the comfort of the materials for long-term wear by children
Goal of Prototyping:
Ensure the adjustability mechanism is easy for parents to use.
Confirm that the shoe provides comfort even as the foot grows.
Test durability over extended periods of use…
User Testing Methodology
We conducted usability tests with 10 families over a period of 3 months. Each child used the prototype during daily activities, and parents were asked to adjust the shoes as needed.
Testing Setup:
Families were given 2 pairs of expandable shoes.
Parents were asked to adjust the shoe when their child’s feet outgrew the current size.
Feedback was collected on:
Ease of adjustment.
Material comfort (daily wear and long-term use).
Durability (how the shoe held up to wear and tear).
From our testing, we identified several key areas for improvement and success:
Positive Feedback:
Ease of Adjustment: 70% of parents found the shoe’s adjustment mechanism straightforward after the first use.
Comfort: 90% of children reported the shoes were comfortable during daily activities.
Areas for Improvement:
Material Flexibility: Some parents noted that the expandable fabric became stiff after a few washes.
Locking Mechanism: 40% of parents struggled with the adjustment mechanism, especially when they were in a rush.
Based on the usability testing results, we refined the shoe by adjusting the adjustment mechanism to be Velcro for easier use and replacing the expandable fabric with a more flexible, durable material.
Design Refinements:
Added a Velrco adjustment mechanism that makes adjustment quicker and easier.
Switched to a more flexible material that retains its elasticity even after repeated washing.
This testing phase provided valuable insights into the practical use of the Footprint shoe, allowing us to make user-centered design improvements that enhanced the product’s usability and durability.
Following the design refinements, we conducted a second round of usability testing.
The improved shoe received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 95% of users reported satisfaction with the ease of adjustment, comfort, and overall usability of the product.
Sustainable Materials and Design Philosophy
Footprint was designed with sustainability in mind, using eco-friendly materials that minimize environmental impact. Each component was carefully selected to ensure the shoe is both durable and biodegradable, contributing to a zero-waste product lifecycle.
Algae-Derived Foam: Used for the shoe’s sole, this material provides a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic rubber, reducing carbon emissions during production.
Plant-Based Plastics: The adjustable parts of the shoe are crafted from plant-based bioplastics, ensuring that even the functional components are sustainable.
Traditional shoes can take hundreds to thousands of years to decompose, contributing significantly to global waste. Footprint’s biodegradable materials ensure that the shoes break down naturally over time, reducing their environmental footprint.
Environmental Metrics:
Biodegradability: Footprint shoes decompose in as little as 3-5 years compared to the 1,000 years it can take for traditional shoes made from synthetic materials (Pip & Henry)(wearetto).
Carbon Footprint: The use of algae-derived foam and plant-based plastics reduces carbon emissions by up to 30% during manufacturing compared to traditional shoe production (Orba Shoes).