MODU
My research on VR/AR focused on looking at ways the technology was implemented within the fashion industry. In recent years, augmented reality and virtual reality tech are used to create digital experiences in stores and “in-store” experiences online. Several brands are entering a new era of experiential shopping. Currently, there are three significant ways VR/AR is being used in fashion retail:
E-commerce: Increase conversion by letting online/mobile shoppers see products in 3D in the context in front of them.
Physical retail: Use AR in-store to let shoppers access digital media on in-stock merchandise.
Marketing: Create virtual or augmented experiences that “delight consumers” — like an AR pop-up, interactive catalog, or VR recreation of a store or boutique.
Fashion sustainability-focused the fact that people are over-consuming more and more fashion items that not sustainable. Alarming facts that I discovered included 80 billion pieces of clothing consumed globally every year, and most of them are not sustainable. There are an estimated 300 million pairs of shoes discarded annually, meaning that landfills are overfilled with footwear as well. Overconsumption habits ignited social media and by weekly new collections release by fast-fashion brands. US consumers bought 7.5 pairs of shoes per person per year, the highest in the world.
Women’s shoes come in all shapes and sizes due to their functions and comfortability. Although many women like wearing high heels for various reasons, this cultural context raises the possibility of some women wearing high heels when they have not chosen freely to do so. A report I found estimates that the proportion of women whose high heel wear is mainly due to social expectation rather than their own free choice maybe around 33%. Around the same as the many women are required to wear high heels at work.
This research helped me see a market opportunity for a sustainable women’s heel system that is modular, customizable, and utilizes new technology for a pleasant shopping experience.
Design Statement:
To create a modular women’s heel system which is completely modular and customizable. The system should provide a pleasant shopping experience that utilizes new technologies.
After taking the research and problem statement into account, I began the process of problem-solving. I broke up the project into four separate sections. The heel connection, the sole, the style of the upper, and the UX/UI of the app.
