Step of Time The Influence of Cultural Histories on Footwear Design

Abstract

STEP OF TIME explores how historical footwear archetypes can be reinterpreted through contemporary footwear design, digital fabrication, and brand language. Rather than using history as surface decoration, this thesis treats historical shoes as systems of silhouette, construction, material logic, and cultural meaning.Through literature review, interviews, case studies, and prototyping, the project develops a Weighted Design System that blends historical and modern references through silhouette and execution. This method is applied to five footwear prototypes: 000_Bare foot, 001_Areni-510, 002_MuklukSuperstar, 003_MDVL, and 004_GETA. Using Gravity Sketch, Rhino, Grasshopper, FDM TPU printing, adidas Originals DNA, and AIGC campaign development, the thesis demonstrates how historical forms can become tools for future footwear innovation.