INTRODUCTION

As a young woman, I have personally had trouble finding high heel shoes in my size or that express my true self. Unfortunately, this trend leads me and others to buy more shoes and/or to return them, until the perfect pair, or the ‘glass slipper’ is found. As a designer, I find the cultural impacts of technological tools fascinating. The integration of technology into our social context can be seen as a delicate task which sparks the idea that as designers, we should integrate ourselves into technology and take control of these unfathomably powerful devices. These personal and professional considerations have inspired me to explore novel approaches to how things are made, why they are made and how the longevity of a product might be improved by catering to every individual.