Sneaker Design 101
Visual Art – Invention/Entrepreneurship Making/Construction
Summary
Sneaker Design 101 introduces elementary/middle school students to creative problem-solving through the process of “design thinking.” Students explore the world of footwear by learning about various types of shoes, materials, and basic design principles. They are encouraged to think like designers by identifying problems, brainstorming ideas, creating prototypes, and testing their designs.
Through hands-on activities and projects, students develop empathy, critical thinking, and innovation skills while designing shoes that are not only stylish but also functional and comfortable.
Learning Goals:
Identifying problems
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Self Confidence
Hand-Eye coordination
Basic Three-Dimensional Sculpture Techniques
Understanding the use of traditional clay sculpting tools
For Teachers:
- Sneaker Design Canvas Presentation (PDF)
- PDF Sneaker Paper Fold Template (see Package Download)
- The Language of Shoe Design (website)
- Sneakers: From Start to Finish, Samuel G. Woods, Gale Zucker. Book for 3rd to 5th grade readers.
- The Making of a Pair of Sneakers. The Science Channel looks at shoe manufacturing from materials to testing. [YouTube 14:00]
- The Engineering Behind Shoe Design. A University of Southern California site that illuminates the engineering of everyday things looks at the materials and design constraints, such as gait, in today’s athletic footwear.
- How running shoes are made. Article traces history of athletic footwear from ancient Greece to modern times and includes overviews of design, materials, and manufacturing process.
- If the Shoe Fits, Design It. Article about a University of Massachusetts, Amherst, mechanical engineering student who designed sneakers. (2011)
- Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing Sneakers. Think automobile detailing for high-tops.
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/h3fOetJIisj-sneaker-project. How to create a sneaker in Tinkercad with Marvin Mora.
- Autodesk Sketchbook Pro – Shoe Design. Computer aided design of sports shoe. [YouTube 8:54]
- How to Make a Custom Running Shoe. Discovery Education [YouTube 5:00]
- How to Create A Casual Sports Shoe in ICAD 3+ 3-D computer modeling. [YouTube 6:27]
- ConceptKicks. Artistic designs and cool shoes.
- The Secret Lab Where Nike Developed the Power-Lacing Shoe of Our Dreams. Wired, October 2016. Includes video with Nike innovator Tiffany Beers explaining Hyper Adapts design.
Gallery
