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Generative Heels

Personalised Fashion High Heels

Greymer High Heels is a Project I worked on as Design Researcher for the FP7 Project ADD+Factor in collaboration with Greymer Fashion Shoes during 2016.

I worked on this project from the beginning of January 2016 until the end of the year. It was my first job after graduating. I was living in London and working at Brunel University London. My role was Project Researcher, and my goal was to develop various concepts for high heels that could be personalized by the end user. I designed different geometries and created parametric algorithms to modify the shapes and designs. The aim of the project was to develop a 3D Configurator for Personalized High-Heel Fashion Shoes, manufactured using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technologies.

The design process I followed was the Iterative Design Science Research

I conducted research focused on Contextual Research, which included parametric and generative 3D modeling in fashion. Additionally, I carried out secondary research and conducted material testing for Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM).

Key Findings

Insights related to real-time personalisation
3D Model Generation Issues
Retail personalisation issues
Printing Process Issues - Printing Speed, filling, finishing
Material Performances

Design

During the design stage, I was actively involved in the design process, focusing on both creative and technical aspects to develop a customizable high-heel solution. The key aspects of my work included:

Development of Configurable High-Heel Families: I created a range of high-heel designs that could be personalized by users. These "families" featured different styles and structural elements, offering diverse options while maintaining a consistent design language.
Personalized Heels User Flow: I designed the user experience for the customization process, mapping out the steps users would take to personalize their heels. This flow ensured intuitive interactions and streamlined decision-making.

3D Model Generation Algorithms: I developed parametric algorithms to generate 3D models dynamically based on user inputs. These algorithms allowed for real-time customization, enabling users to modify heel shapes and features effortlessly.
Geometry Details (Shoe + Heel Fixing, Mechanical Issues): I addressed critical design details, such as the interface between the shoe and the heel. This involved solving mechanical challenges to ensure a secure connection and improve the product’s durability and comfort.
3D Printing Settings: I optimized the 3D printing parameters for Additive manufacturing technologies, including Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

Configurator Development

The Geometrical variables becam elements that would be personalised by the final user. For each family of heels there was the possibility to change the design interacting through sliders.

Prototyping

Worked on preparing models and setting for 3D Printing Tests and Prototypes

Wrapping Up

Selling perspectives and market exploitations:

Realise something unique, that can assume a great value for the Brand Identity in Fashion Industry and Business
Return in terms of image for the Brand, assuming a different approach with the customer and the production.
Create a new user experience within the Retail Production localisation
Enlarge the personalisation to other fields (not only heels)
A bottom-up style approach

Wrapping Up

Selling perspectives and market exploitations:

Realise something unique, that can assume a great value for the Brand Identity in Fashion Industry and Business
Return in terms of image for the Brand, assuming a different approach with the customer and the production.
Create a new user experience within the Retail Production localisation
Enlarge the personalisation to other fields (not only heels)
A bottom-up style approach