Dopie evolved over a long time
of researching different shapes and materials
to find the ultimate in minimal footwear. These
pictures illustrate key moments in the design
of Dopie by Matthew Harrison while studying at
the Royal College of Art in London.
First ever prototype - Testing the Idea
This foam
prototype was made very quickly to try out
the idea that if a shoe was light enough
and had a rigid sole, all you would need
is a small ‘nipple' between the toes
to hold it on the foot.
Playing with the shape
Card models, stuck together with masking
tape, with notes drawn on them helped develop
Dopie's
characteristic shape and style.
Refining the concept
Form and structure is refined through
models made from blue foam, that can be quickly
shaped
with hand tools.
Presentation model
This model was made from a computer
generated CAD file, rapid prototyped with
an SLA machine
and then cast in resin, to produce a hard
visual model. This is the model that was
presented at
the RCA graduate show, and to Terra Plana,
who would go on to manufacture the shoe.
Mould pattern v.1
This is the first pattern
made the factory in China, and
was used to
make the
first moulded
prototypes. It has the Dopie logo sketched
on the top surface in black marker pen.
First moulded
prototypes
These pink
shoes were the first
moulded prototypes.
They were a single
foam piece, but
proved to
be too uncomfortable in between the
toes.
We needed a softer material around
the toes, but
to keep the rigid light foam as the
main body.
Dopie
Mk1 to Mk2
This
adapted moulded
prototype shows the softer
rubber parts painted
onto it,
and slots on the
side added for an optional strap.
Final mould pattern
This
is the pattern
which the final production
moulds were made from,
with softer
toe and heel
sections, and side slots for straps
and accessories.
Finished
product..
...and
the
final products...for
the mean
time anyway, further
innovations
to come!
Matthew
Harrison and creatiive partner
Cian Plumbe run a design studio
in Stoke
Newtingon, London,
named Studiohead. Please visit
our website for more information: www.studiohead.com |
