Page 18 - DESIGN & MODELING

Primary Discussion Topic:

DESIGN A SNEAKER/SHOE
Designing a shoe
Sneaker Design Build – Project Build

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

• Analyze a product's components and function.
• Recognize a design need or engineering challenge.
• Develop, sketch and discuss possible solutions and select one.
• Select appropriate materials for a design solution.
• Construct a working model using a variety of materials.
• Use, evaluate and suggest ways to improve a product.

Designing today's sneakers is an engineering science that combines physics, biomechanics and
materials science. The engineering designs take advantage of a wide range materials and creative
structural concepts to provide durability, comfort, cushioning and stability. Good designs also
consider the characteristics of various foot types (female, male, child) since each has typical
shapes and proportions. For example, women's feet are usually narrower with higher arches than
men's feet. The inside layout of a well-designed sneaker takes these physical differences into
account. Another important consideration is the activity application. Each sport has different
footwear requirements; some require high flexibility, others maximum cushioning or high
traction.

Investigating Questions

• Which material properties help the sneaker be comfortable when you apply strong forces
or pressure to your feet? (The greatest comfort comes from materials that are cushioning
[soft] and have the ability to "bounce back.")

• Why is traction important on a sneaker? (Traction is created by friction between the base
of the sneaker and the ground. Without traction, shoes slip, as if you were trying to move
on an icy surface.)

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