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Student Showcase Archive

Martin Ding

MA work

MA work

Modular Footwear

The modular footwear concept disrupts the mentality to purchase an entire new pair of footwear but just certain parts for replacement to bring new life and newness to the original pair. This concept aspire to reduce resources used and waste produced from footwear production and disposal respectively. 


The design utilises Velcro as the main construction for both upper and outsole, with a sole extension and Velcro extension to secure the toe box and the heel counter. The outsole unit features an "edge snap" system to prevent moistures and rocks stuck in the joints. Straps and coats are optional accessories that wrap up the midfoot for extra reinforcement. The replaceable components provide customization for users. The outsole units are the contact points that wear out and can be changed instead of throw away the whole shoe. 


The modularity nature of the footwear also has the potential to offer a new method for footwear retail and delivery in seperate parts and not in a boxed pair. As a result, the future footwear industry will be more environmental friendly, while people are inspired to consume more responsibly. 

Info

Info

  • MA Degree

    School

    School of Design

    Programme

    MA Design Products, 2018

  • Martin Ding is a product designer and footwear designer from China. He graduated with a BA in Industrial Design in China Academy of Art in 2015. After that, he took his journey to London with a MA in Product Design from Royal College of Art in 2016 and will graduate in 2018. He fell in love with shoes since he was 13 (2005), likewise, he trys to pick up every little pocket of time to shape the dream shoe for himself. Regardless of doubt, with a huge passion empowered heart, he proved he is a footwear designer. Now he is ready to accept new challenges and be a professional footwear designer. 

  • Degrees

  • BA Industrial Design, China Academy of Art, 2011
  • Experience

  • Footwear Designer, Pensole Footwear Design Academy, Portland, 2017; Footwear Designer, Anta Sports Co.,Ltd. , Xiamen, 2016; Exterior Design Intern, Cherry Auto parts of China, Shanghai, 2015; Design intern, Sohui Design Consulting Co.,Ltd. , 2014
  • Exhibitions

  • Punkt. Urban Mobility, Palazzo Litta, Milan, 2017
  • Awards

  • London Design Week, Gold award, 2017