Tidhar Zagagi reimagines the future of craft manufacturing with ‘Pixel Shoe’
Leveraging the plasticity of polyurethane foam casting, the Israeli designer has developed a ‘one-man shoe factory’ that can produce custom-made footwear in mere minutes.
Israel-based industrial designer Tidhar Zagagi has harnessed the flexibility, speed, and customisable capabilities of polyurethane (PU) foam casting to develop 'Pixel Shoe': a mobile, ‘one-man shoe factory’ that spells an intriguing future for bespoke footwear design. Zagagi developed the project during his studies under the guidance of faculty Tal Gur at the Department of Industrial Design within Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design - founded in 1906 by artist and sculptor, Boris Schatz. Adopting a low-tech approach to custom manufacturing, the project utilises a moving wooden cart with adjustable moulds to provide instant, ergonomic shoes fused to a user’s socks.
02min watchZagagi took his creation to the streets of Jerusalem to make shoes for pedestrians Video: Omer Cohen
Tidhar Zagagi - the creator of Pixel Shoe Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
Through this endeavour, Zagagi aimed to explore historic precedents and future models for craft manufacturing, while framing an intimate experience between manufacturer and consumer. Engaging with customers throughout the fabrication process, Pixel Shoe grants users a far more potent say in the customisation of their footwear, potentially heralding an age where large-scale manufacturing is replaced by intensive personalisation. Making use of mechanically adjustable wooden moulds fastened to a cart topped by a throne-like seat for customers, Zagagi's mobile shoe factory generates vibrantly-textured soles reminiscent of pixelated sculptures. While taking his unique invention to the streets of Jerusalem, Zagagi crafted affordable, tailor-made shoes for passers-by in mere minutes.
Zagagi harnessed the flexibility of polyurethane foam casting to create custom-made shoes fitted to a user's socks Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
The project spells an intriguing future for craft manufacturing Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
In this vein, customers are able to make real-time decisions about fitting, aesthetics, and functionality. Furthermore, as a result of his incorporation of brand name elements in the design process - vis à vis the socks attached to the bespoke soles - Pixel Shoe raises interesting queries of intellectual property and ownership in a time where technology has made fabrication and DIY craftsmanship far easier and more accessible than ever before.
Zagagi's one-man shoe factory consists of a wooden cart with a throne-like seat for customers Image: Nadav Goren
Adjustable wooden moulds allow for the creation of custom-fitted shoes Image: Nadav Goren
The unique invention produces multicoloured soles across a wide assortment of sizesImage: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
Pixel Shoe also made its way to Dutch Design Week 2021, which ran from October 16-24 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The project was on show at the Van Abbemuseum as part of an exhibition curated by the 1m2 Collective - a platform that strives to bring together new design talent and illuminate necessary changes in the realm of global design. Alongside the works of 17 other designers, Pixel Shoe occupied a 1 sqm display area at the museum, described by the collective in an official statement as “the smallest expo with the biggest impact”. Additionally, Zagagi also took his shoe factory to the streets of Eindhoven, moving between locations to produce custom-fitted shoes for visitors to the design week.
Pixel Shoe as part of the 1m2 Collective exhibition at the Van Abbemuseum Image: Roza Schous
Zagagi also took his mobile shoe factory to various locations across Eindhoven during Dutch Design Week 2021 Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
During an age where technologies such as 3D-printing and digital fabrication have gained greater precedence in mainstream design and manufacturing circles, Zagagi's creation fuses old-school technology with new-age thinking and convenience to create an experience that could truly revolutionise current models of product design and industrial-scale manufacturing.
The project on show at Dutch Design Week 2021Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
Pixel Show creates an intimate exchange between manufacturer and consumer Image: Courtesy of Tidhar Zagagi
Jerry's work as a writer is fuelled by an innate desire to ascertain the driving forces behind exemplary architecture and design. An architect by education, he directs this interest towards crafting riveting narratives that attempt to capture the essence of creative endeavours from all over the world.
Jerry's work as a writer is fuelled by an innate desire to ascertain the driving forces behind exemplary architecture and design. An architect by education, he directs this interest towards crafting riveting narratives that attempt to capture the essence of creative endeavours from all over the world.
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