CreativX Lab with We Create Tech: Designing Shoes

For the regular attendees of the CreativX Lab, many are shoe enthusiasts. With this in mind, Shana, the founder of We Create Tech, created a lesson specifically on how to design shoes. Covering two sessions, with the first part brainstorming and the second part being hands-on. However, this lesson wouldn’t just be about appearances but functionality. As the teens would be designing shoes for people with disabilities.  

Before the teens could start, Shana discussed all the objects people with disabilities used to help make their days easier for them. For example, captions for deaf people, automatic doors for people in wheelchairs, and audiobooks for blind people. For this session, the question would be how to make shoes more efficient for people with disabilities. Divided into two groups: one focusing on people with diabetes and one focusing on people with a prosthetic leg. Next, the teens used Adobe Firefly and Chat GPT to help design their shoes. First, they would dissect the old shoes brought by Shana, and then design the shoes to match their vision.

To combat swelling feet, the teens thought it would be amazing if the shoe soles were self-cooling, so they decided to recreate the sole by adding water beads. The idea is that the water beads would be cool on a person’s feet during a physical activity. In addition, they cut parts of the shoes to create a clear pathway. Once the water bead soles were finished, they tested them to see if they were durable.

For the prosthetic leg team, to make sure the shoe doesn’t fall off the prosthetic, they add a Velcro strap to the opening. The teens rolled up foam to put into the shoe to act as the leg. Afterwards, they painted the shoe green with gold flakes in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.  

At the end of the day, the teens made viable prototypes. Of course, the shoes wouldn’t be ready to go on the first try, but with persistence, they could make functional shoes.

Written by Kalee Wiley, Library Associate at Central Library

For more information about the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, email us at libraryteentech@fultoncountyga.gov, opens a new window or call us at 404-613-0259.