No Trace

Scope
Product Design
Sustainability

A mission to reimagine shoe design with sustainability at its core. Through research and exploration, I drew inspiration from the natural world to create a “what if” concept for shoes envisioned with patterns and materials rooted in biology.

Role
Sole Designer

A global estimate of 22 billion pairs of shoes end up in landfills annually

Swapping Out the Insoles

The search for a sustainable material demanded flexibility, rigidity, and durability. Mycelium emerged as the solution, able to grow and conform to a mold within seven days. When reinforced through testing and refinement, it met the performance standards while aligning with the project’s biodegradable goal.

Supporting the Outsoles

To address the risk of over harvesting Havea Rubber, I introduced a complementary substrate of Sugarcane foam. The foam not only reduces dependency on rubber, it is completely biodegradable and also contributes to a lightweight comfort while the rubber ensures the necessary rigidity and resilience are maintained.

Moodboard
Nature’s Path

Mushroom Mania

Drawing from the Mycelium’s intricate root networks, I designed an organic yet chaotic pattern. Colors found in various mushrooms led to many striking color ways while maintaining the connection to the shoes assembly.