Future Footwear 2.0 explores the relation between materials, skills and design methods in various communities in different geographical areas, a.o. in Namibia, India, Finland, UK and Belgium, and questions conventional thinking on design, production and creativity. Inspired by the convergence of traditional wisdom and modern technology Willems aims to bring sustainable production and individual needs closer together through 3D printing.
This project integrates methods and approaches from anthropology, design, and biomechanics to demonstrate how the design and crafting of indigenous footwear, along with the skills of those who create it, may hold the key to developing environmentally and physically sustainable footwear. The same protocol as was used in Willems' PhD research is followed, commencing with the co-creation of locally made footwear. Subsequently, in-depth interviews are conducted with the artisans regarding their gait and health. The project then progresses to biomechanical measurements. Within this project the collaboration extends to the Ju’hoan San community in Namibia, in addition to the already existing collaborations with shoemaking communities in India, Finland, UK, and Belgium.