// DESIGN · 2025–2025
ZIP-N-SWITCH.
A zipper-based convertible shoe-to-sandal concept, developed from student footwear research through weighted concept selection to a tested prototype.
// SPEC
ROLE
Individual project
ORG
Imperial College London
TOOLS
SKILLS
User research, Concept selection, Product design
// SHOWCASE
DEMO LINK — NOT SET- ▢ MEDIA SLOT 01image or video — add in the owner console
- ▢ MEDIA SLOT 02image or video — add in the owner console
§ 01
CONTEXT
Students walk long campus distances, then want different footwear once they arrive — but carrying a second pair means storage, weight and hygiene problems.
§ 02
OBJECTIVES
- 01Understand student footwear behaviour and pain points
- 02Convert insights into a defensible concept selection
- 03Test conversion and retention physically
- 04Validate demand with real students
§ 03
PROCESS
Primary and secondary research identified pain points around limited storage, repeated shoe changes, affordability, hygiene, weather exposure and long walking distances. I converted these into How Might We questions, generated 15 annotated concepts, and used weighted decision matrices and morphological analysis to select a zipper-based modular shoe-to-slide system.
A low-fidelity physical prototype tested retention, repeated attachment and ease of conversion.
§ 04
DECISIONS
◆ DECISION LOG
A modular zipper interface over a folding or collapsible sole — it survives repeated use and keeps the two halves independently cleanable.
§ 05
CHALLENGES
▲ FAILURE / RISK
Zipper durability under repeated conversion, and waterproofing at the seam, both emerged as unresolved development risks.
§ 06
OUTCOMES
● RESULT
Validated through a student survey; quantitative and qualitative feedback confirmed likely use cases and identified zipper durability and waterproofing as the next development priorities.