This shoe is a specifically designed for children between the ages of five to seven who have sensory Processing Disorder. The goal of this shoe is to make it easier and more comfortable for children to have and keep their shoes on. According to the National Library of Medicine, the developmental peak of Sensory Processing Disorder happens between ages three and seven. 

Project Statement

Sensory Processing Disorder is a disorder that can make people overly aware of their senses. This can affect people when they wear shoes because they can be overly sensitive to the feel of the shoe on their feet. The developmental peak of kids with sensory processing disorder is ages three to seven, I am focusing on the later part which is ages five to seven.

Overview of Condition

User Persona

• James is a 7-year-old boy who lives in California. He likes football, soccer, cars, and playing outside. James has Sensory Processing Disorder

• James Loves being active and outside but doesn't like the way his shoes feel on his feet, and he is not allowed to go outside and play without his shoes on. This makes James favorite activities much less joyful for him

• James wants a shoe that is tight so his foot feels secure, he wants a cushiony insole, a waterproof shoe, and one that has a sleek and minimalistic look

Design Requirements

James needs a shoe that he can comfortably play and run around in. He wants a shoe that makes his foor feel secure so a tight fit, and doesn’t like when his shoes have tags in it, or when the insirt of the shoe is to hard, he likes a soft cushy feel. James also hates when his feet get wet and the wetness soaks into his socks through his shoes so waterpoof shoes are a must. James likes when the outside of his shoes arn’t bulky so he doesnt feel like he is lugging around extar weight on his feet, so a sleek lightweight design is necassery.

Precedents

Nike:

I used Nike's FlyEase shoe opening at the top as a precedent of the style that I liked for the opening

Nike:

I used Nike's Air Force 1 as an insparation of what I wanted the sole for my shoe to look like

Blake Bevin:

this inspired me to pt something on the back of the shoe to provide extra support

Design Sketches

Prototype V1

Prototype V2

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Shoe Construction

Next Steps

If this were to be mass-produced the shoe would be made out of waxed leather so it's water resistant. The hook on the back of the shoe would be made out of durable plastic, the sould would be made out of rubber, and the laces would be a perticulare size and shape of bungee cord so it fits with the shoe better.

Cleatys are a cheap and orthotic soccer cleat built for people who have flat feet and can't afford expensive cleats. Cleatys have many different colors and styles so you know you're gonna look great on the fields.

Project Statement

User Persona

• Jonathan Willowbottom is 15-year-old boy who lives in rural Ohio. Jonathan comes from a relatively low-income family who can't afford expensive items

• Ever since Jonathan got his first TV, he has been in love with soccer. He wishes he could play soccer on his favorite team the real Madrid FC, and with Rodaldo Massi

• Johnathan has flat feet but cannot afford orthotic shoe inserts OR soccer cleats so he can play like Madoldo Ressi. Jonathan, just like other kids, needs a pair of affordable cleats with cheap foot inserts so he can follow his passion!

Flat feet are a condition that can happen in one of two ways. either you are born with them (usually genetics) or you can form them when you put too much pressure on your arches and they collapse, this happens mostly to heavier people. Flat feet are when the arches on your feet are undeveloped or collapsed, and they can have some pretty painful symptoms. Including back pain, heel pain, toe pain, and bad posture(not painful, just embarrassing) among other things.

Overview of Condition

Design Requirements

Affordable

easily accessible

orthodics for flat feet

works as a cleat

fairly durable

comfortable as possible

Precedents

puma future 1.3 cleat/Author:puma

this soccer cleat was picked because it was cheaper than most things on the market

Adidas golleto v//// fg/Author:adidas

this cleat was one of the cheapest shoes I could find and it was available at a major chain that a lot of people have access to in dicks sporting goods

croc cleats/Author:sean vergara

although I originally picked this shoe as a joke I actually find that it was a very good model of a soccer cleats shape and really demonstrated just how versatile these shoes really are

Design Sketches

Prototype V1

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Final Design

Shoe Construction

Faux Leather

EVA foam flat foot

shoe insert

Hard plastic sole

and studs

Next Steps

• Obtain materials (Faux leather, EVA foam, hard plastic)

• begin human testing

• Begin construction of final construction

• Package and ships orders

The Fidget Shoe aims to help children who are dealing with various mental disorders specifically, giving them a fidget tool and/or distraction to help them cope. There are many different mental health issues, and all have serious impacts on people and make it harder to go about day-to-day life. Sensory processing disorders or ADHD are prevalent diagnoses, whether primary or coexisting with other mental health diagnoses. Both Associations for Children’s Mental Health and MentalHealth.gov provide research that shows that only 40% of students with mental health disorders graduate from high school, compared to the usual 76%. That is usually credited to the classroom environment making it harder to learn compared to other kids. The Fidget Shoe project was designed keeping this in mind. It is a customizable, slip-on sneaker that can change color and has multiple buttons and straps to press, squeeze, pull, and twist while learning.

PROJECT STATEMENT

Kayla Brunner

• Kayla is eight-years-old and goes to a fancy private school on a scholarship. Because of that, she feels like she doesn't fit in among her other rich classmates - especially with her low-quality clothes. She needs a shoe to boost her confidence

• Kayla has ADHD (which means she has trouble sitting still for periods of time and listening) and as a result, is always fidgeting. It's hard for her to listen and sit still. She needs a shoe that allows her to fidget quietly.

• Kayla also has Sensory Processing Disorder (which means she's more sensitive to light, colors, textures, sound, etc.) which makes it hard for her to in school. Also, as a result of her SPD, she is extremely clumsy. She needs a slip-in shoe that is extremely comfortable.

• Kayla is a daredevil that loves to run, climb, and play. She needs a durable, long-lasting shoe for all the adventures she gets into

There are many different types of mental health issues, all making it harder for day-to-day life. Mental health issues can be caused by genetics, stress, harassment or bullying, trauma, substance abuse, and more. Mental Health Issues are serious and real. 1 in 5 adults in America experiences a mental illness, and more than 50% percent of America's population has been diagnosed with various mental disorders. Children also suffer, some arguably worse than adults. Most school truancy comes from students with mental health disorders. In some ways, mental illnesses are worse than cancer. Your brain is against you, telling you lies and you can't help but believe it. With a mental illness, you are fighting against your body and mind. The Fidget Shoe is designed to help children in school deal with mental illnesses and raise awareness of the issue.

Overview of Condition

;

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Precedents

FIDGET TOYS:

The Fidget Shoe will have miniature fidget toys embedded in the sole of the shoe

CROC CHARMES:

The Fidget Shoe will have miniature fidget toys embedded in the sole of the shoe, and the toys can be replaced with new ones - much like Croc Charmes.

TEAR AWAY:

The Fidget Shoe will have velcro fabric that you can rip away and replace, effectively making the shoe able to change color

DESIGN SKETCHES

MORE DESIGN SKETCHES

FINAL SKETCH



SECOND PROTOTYPE

FINAL PROTOTYPES

THIRD PROTOTYPE

Overview

The Fidget Shoe is a slip-in, durable, long-lasting, stylish, color-changing, comfortable shoe that has fidget toys attached to the shoe to play with if you ever feel bored.

Consumer: Young school children - from kindergarten to at least middle school. Specifically children with mental health issues, though not a requirement

Technology: There will be no technology in the shoe, however, you can always easily dismantle and then reassemble The Fidget Shoe, adding tech as you please

Business: This could be a very lucrative market. Shoes are already a decent amount of money, and although fidget toys are cheap, they still stack up more money. Also, young children can replace the fidget toys embedded in the sole with other ones, or some charms that could be sold along with the shoe.

My Next Steps

• Experiment with more prototypes and materials

• Think more about the cost and how to make the shoe more cost-efficient.

• Do more research; such as meeting kids with various mental health issues

• Pursue materials and fabrics to use

Our goal is to minimize girls age 12 who live in Texas exposure to pesticides, therefore reducing illness in organs as well as neurological issues like (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's, and others) disease by making a cheap and protective shoe.

Project Statement

Contact to pesticides either through inhalation or skin contact can cause serious illness and growth defects in children. Pesticide contact has also been linked to neurological disorders like AD-HD.

Overview of Condition

User Persona

She and her family are from Mexico and moved to Texas.

All the people on the farm that are farmers are treated unfairly.

She loves sports

Design Requirements

Our shoe must be able to protect children from skin contact with pesticides while still facilitating use in heat. We also need our shoe to be affordable enough to be replaced as a child grows to ensure even impoverished groups can use them .

Design Requirements

Stop skin contact with pesticides

Extraordinary air circulation

Afrordable

Slim fit

Water proof

Precedents

Full body PPE

PPE is used when spraying pesticides to protect the sprayers from being infected, providing a very good starting point for our project.

High end rubber work boots

These boots are the best option for footwear when working with pesticides but are also very expensive.

Breathable Work boots

These boots demonstrate how to make a breathable yet protective and strong boot but unfortunately they are not water proof.

Design Sketches

Prototype V1

Silica Gel

Foot Interface

Prototype V2

Final Design

Final Design

Shoe Construction

Next Steps

• Perfect manufacturing methods
• Make custom last
• Revamp Lace and out soul

 Diabetic Foot can affect your foot in many ways. You can experience loss of feeling in your foot. This can make it hard to realize if there is a cut or blister in your foot. A wound that you are unaware of is very easily infected. This can sometimes become so bad that you have to amputate your foot.

Overview of Condition

The Foot Protector is aimed at Adults with diabetic foot roughly between the age of 25-44. Our project will also be used to help manage diabetic infections and help them heal. Our goal is to stop the need for amputation for our users.

Project Statement

Gasmin Claes

• Gasmin works two jobs, one during the day and one during the night. Gasmin has to feed her two children with all of the money she makes from these jobs and doesn't have much left over.

• Gasmin has diabetic foot and can't find any shoes in her price range that can help this.

• Gasmin needs her feet to work and having to amputate them would cost a lot and would stop her from working.

Design Requirements

We want a shoe that is low cost, comfortable and aesthetic. Many of the shoes in the market cost a lot and look like medical boots. We want to stay away from both of these and have them be comfortable for the user

Precedents

Doc Martins

Many of the good shoes for diabetic foot look like medical boots. We wanted to avoid this look and help the shoes blend in. We chose Doc Martins as a stylish boot.

Crutches

Feet with diabetic foot hurt when under pressure. Crutches take a lot of pressure of off the foot so we looked at them for ideas.

Foot Defender

The Foot defender is a shoe that has very good sole support and is a good way to relieve pressure.

Design Sketches

Design Sketches V2

Prototype V1

Prototype V2

Final Design

Final Design

Shoe Construction

1. Plastic straps that connect to the top of the shoe.
2. The shoe is made of nylon and is very few pieces and can be quickly assembled.
3. The top sole is made out of EVA Foam. It connects to the shoe through little flaps that are glued on to its bottom.
4. These two larger pieces of EVA Foam are glued onto the bottom of the top sole.

2

3

1

4

Next Steps

• Use Synthetic Materials.

• Create the strap mechanics.

• Blend In More

• Refine Net Pattern.

Toes for Tots is a product designed to give dyspraxic users a way to protect their toes from injury caused by physical impacts. Toes for Tots is a product which uses a comfortable, custom thermoplastic formed safety toe that can be easily slipped inside of any shoe and worn for hours.

Project Statement

User Persona

• Max is a very outgoing and friendly kid who loves to play with his dog.

• Max is constantly bumping into things and injuring himself.

• He needs something to keep him from injuring himself, especially his feet.

Dyspraxia is a condition that disproportionately affects children in early developmental stages. The disorder is commonly found in children with ADHD. Kids affected by the disorder are marked by a lack of coordination and poor control of fine motor skills. This lack of coordination can lead to stubbed and heavily impacted feet, which in turn can lead to pain

Overview of Condition

Broken or

Fractured Toes

Design Requirements

One of our main design requirements is that the TFT (Toes for Tots) will go inside the users shoe, this is because children run around alot and need to be able to go about their daily activities unencumbered by a big bulky device.

Another one of our design requirements is that the material we build the TFT out of is strong while still being flexible. We need the TFT to fit into a shoe, stay in place and protect from impacts.

Our last design requirement is comfort. Kids aren't going to wear the TFT if it is uncomfortable.

Indestructible Shoe:

A new take on the steel toed boot, this foot protector is sleek and stylish.

Precedents

Steel Toe Protector Inserts:

A steel insert that goes inside of your shoe and protects your foot.

Plastic Toe Cover:

The classic toe cover, ugly and effective.

Process

Design Sketches

Prototypes



A1

G1-G6

B1-B2

A1

Orthographics



Top

Front

Side

Final Render

Final Design

Final Design

Next Steps

• Optimize the process of making the render

• Find a way to make the inside of the mold a bit more comfortable (not just plastic)

• Make holes for airflow

• Adjust prototype to fit users wishes

Thank You For Listening!

The Fidget Shoe aims to help children who are dealing with various mental disorders specifically, giving them a fidget tool and/or distraction to help them cope. There are many different mental health issues, and all have serious impacts on people and make it harder to go about day-to-day life. Sensory processing disorders or ADHD are prevalent diagnoses, whether primary or coexisting with other mental health diagnoses. Both Associations for Children’s Mental Health and MentalHealth.gov provide research that shows that only 40% of students with mental health disorders graduate from high school, compared to the usual 76%. That is usually credited to the classroom environment making it harder to learn compared to other kids. The Fidget Shoe project was designed keeping this in mind. It is a customizable, slip-on sneaker that can change color and has multiple buttons and straps to press, squeeze, pull, and twist while learning.

PROJECT STATEMENT

Kayla Brunner

• Kayla is eight-years-old and goes to a fancy private school on a scholarship. Because of that, she feels like she doesn't fit in among her other rich classmates - especially with her low-quality clothes. She needs a shoe to boost her confidence

• Kayla has ADHD (which means she has trouble sitting still for periods of time and listening) and as a result, is always fidgeting. It's hard for her to listen and sit still. She needs a shoe that allows her to fidget quietly.

• Kayla also has Sensory Processing Disorder (which means she's more sensitive to light, colors, textures, sound, etc.) which makes it hard for her to in school. Also, as a result of her SPD, she is extremely clumsy. She needs a slip-in shoe that is extremely comfortable.

• Kayla is a daredevil that loves to run, climb, and play. She needs a durable, long-lasting shoe for all the adventures she gets into

There are many different types of mental health issues, all making it harder for day-to-day life. Mental health issues can be caused by genetics, stress, harassment or bullying, trauma, substance abuse, and more. Mental Health Issues are serious and real. 1 in 5 adults in America experiences a mental illness, and more than 50% percent of America's population has been diagnosed with various mental disorders. Children also suffer, some arguably worse than adults. Most school truancy comes from students with mental health disorders. In some ways, mental illnesses are worse than cancer. Your brain is against you, telling you lies and you can't help but believe it. With a mental illness, you are fighting against your body and mind. The Fidget Shoe is designed to help children in school deal with mental illnesses and raise awareness of the issue.

Overview of Condition

;

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Precedents

FIDGET TOYS:

The Fidget Shoe will have miniature fidget toys embedded in the sole of the shoe

CROC CHARMES:

The Fidget Shoe will have miniature fidget toys embedded in the sole of the shoe, and the toys can be replaced with new ones - much like Croc Charmes.

TEAR AWAY:

The Fidget Shoe will have velcro fabric that you can rip away and replace, effectively making the shoe able to change color

DESIGN SKETCHES

MORE DESIGN SKETCHES

FINAL SKETCH



SECOND PROTOTYPE

FINAL PROTOTYPES

THIRD PROTOTYPE

Overview

The Fidget Shoe is a slip-in, durable, long-lasting, stylish, color-changing, comfortable shoe that has fidget toys attached to the shoe to play with if you ever feel bored.

Consumer: Young school children - from kindergarten to at least middle school. Specifically children with mental health issues, though not a requirement

Technology: There will be no technology in the shoe, however, you can always easily dismantle and then reassemble The Fidget Shoe, adding tech as you please

Business: This could be a very lucrative market. Shoes are already a decent amount of money, and although fidget toys are cheap, they still stack up more money. Also, young children can replace the fidget toys embedded in the sole with other ones, or some charms that could be sold along with the shoe.

My Next Steps

• Experiment with more prototypes and materials

• Think more about the cost and how to make the shoe more cost-efficient.

• Do more research; such as meeting kids with various mental health issues

• Pursue materials and fabrics to use

TOPIC SUMMERY

Mental Health Issues are serious and real. 1 in 5 adults in America experiences a mental illness, and more than 50% percent of America's population has been diagnosed with various mental disorders. Children also suffer, some arguably worse than adults. Most school truancy comes from students with mental health disorders. The Fidget Shoes are designed to help children in school dealing with mental illnesses

For my project, I wanted to create a shoe that can help kids with these kinds of mental health issues - A Fidget Shoe - and help raise awareness of these mental health issues

RELATIONSHIPS TO FOOTWEAR

Many people know that the wrong pair of shoes can result in misery. Multiple studies have found colors and textures actually can affect your mood, and that is certainly true for children with mental health issues. People with a mental disorder, like Sensory Processing Disorder, for example (which is at least 21% percent of the population), can have trouble trying their shoes, are clumsy, have a hard time paying attention, and more. Footwear is defiantly a big part of this. If shoes and clothing, in general, are very uncomfortable, a child will be so as well.

Also, my shoe doesn't just have to be limited for children with SPD. Lots of people are on the spectrum, have various mental health problems, and have trouble focusing. The Fidget Shoe can also help raise awareness of the issues that everyday people have to burden.

LIFESTYLE

AFFECTS

• Thinks clothing feels to scratchy or itchy
• Significant tiredness
• Low energy
• Problems sleeping
• Don't want to go to school
• Fidgets often
• Feels anxious often
• Feeling hopeless
• Every task feels incredibly hard
• Reacts poorly to sudden movements, touches, loud noises, or bright lights.
• Having sudden and random mood swingsLights seem too bright.

Please note, this is across the board; I tried to have this list cover many mental health issues, not just one. Also, this does not mean all people with mental health issues feel these or feel all of these symptoms. Even if you have only one of these issues, it's still valid!

• Sounds seem too loud.
• Doesn't understand personal space when peers understand it.
• Clumsy and uncoordinated movements.

Here is a list of some everyday issues people with various mental health disorders run into:

• Think soft touches feel too hard.
• Experience food textures make them gag.
• Have poor balance or seem clumsy.
• A constant need to touch people or textures,

even when it's inappropriate to do so.

• Extremely high or low pain tolerance
• React poorly to sudden movements, touches, loud noises, or bright lights.
• Have behavior problems.

CURRENT SOLUTIONS

Fidget shoes! Shoes that can change colors, and that are comfortable, easier to get on, personalized, and stylish. There are already shoes for people (specifically children) with mental health issues that come in muted colors and are simple slip-on shoes for children who can't focus well.

CURRENT SOLUTION ANALYSIS

There are three current problems with the Fidget Shoe, durability, noise, and price. The first issue is durability - not with the shoe itself, but with the fidget toys attached to it. Sooner or later, they might break. A solution I've come up with is this; make every fidget toy I can in the Fidget Shoe removable, so you can replace them and put new and different fidget toys in. That way, you can have a wide variety!

For noise, some fidget toys cause noise and matter no matter how small, every noise can feel loud when a teacher is talking. Because of this, I need to make sure the Fidget Shoe would be as silent as possible.

The final problem is price. A shoe costs a decent amount of money. A fidget toy is much cheaper, but either way, the prices are stacked together. In order to change this, I would need to use cheaper materials, but that would lessen it's lifespan. It's an endless loop

IMAGINED SCENARIO

GOALS:

Imagine you are an elementary schooler with a mental health issue, such as ADHD or Sensory Processing Disorder, forced to sit through hours of teachers talking. Everything around you feels too bright, too loud, and your shoes feel so itchy and uncomfortable. You want some sort of fidget tool and you want to feel comfortable, so you get cool, fidget shoes you can personalize and make sure are perfect for you.

Students are better behaved with less fidgeting and can listen better, which in turn will let them do better on tests. Doing better on tests and succeeding in school will make them feel accomplished. And seeing how they do much better in school, these children won't be dreading going to school anymore, which in turn would reduce the rates of school refusal.

SKETCHES

USE DIAGRAM



Project Statement

Our goal is to minimize children's exposure to pesticides therefor reducing illness in organs as well as neurological issues by making a cheap and protective shoe.

User Persona

 .. She and her family are from Mexico and moved to Texas.

. All the people on the farm that are farmers are treated unfairly.

. She loves sports

Contact to pesticides either through inhalation or skin contact can cause serious illness and growth defects in children. Pesticide contact has also been linked to neurological disorders like AD-HD.

Overview of Condition

Design Requirements

Our shoe must be able to protect children from skin contact with pesticides while still facilitating use in heat. We also need our shoe to be affordable enough to be replaced as a child grows to ensure even impoverished groups can use them .

Design Sketches

Prototype V1

Silica Gel

Foot Interface

Next Steps

• Test moisture management systems
• Design foot interface with the moisture management system
• Design the top of the boot