Annie Foo, creator of 3D printed shoes

While the Chinese brand PEAK recently announced the manufacture of fully 3D printed shoes for the general public, we met with designer Annie Foo who designs high-end shoes using 3D technologies. By combining 3D scanning and additive manufacturing, it is able to manufacture custom products with complex geometric shapes. 3D printing is a new way for this young designer to express her creativity and offer end consumers more environmentally friendly, sustainable and personalised products. We asked her a few questions to find out more about her work and her vision of the market for the future.

3DN: Can you present yourself and tell us about your link with new technologies?

Annie Foo

“The world doesn’t need more shoes but it deserved innovation.” Coming from fashion industrial background, I am determined to explore innovative methods of making whilst merging style with desire to help reduce the impact fashion has on the environment. I am fascinated by the combination existing footwear manufacturing methods with modern technology and materials to create something ‘new’ for the future.

3DN: Can you tell us more about the manufacturing process?

I scan the shoes or human feet first and then I draw and craft around the model in (VR) virtual reality using the latest 3D modeling programme like Gravity Sketch which successfully captures my freehand brush stroke to create new three dimensional form of modern footwear, exported to Oculus Medium to refine details, then touch up in Rhino 3D before sending the file for printing. The final pieces that I produced for catwalk were made with the HP Jet Fusion 4200 3D printer, using PA12 Nylon (SLS). I am yet to discovered a more flexible material for the upper part of shoes, for example printed TPU.