Insight from the past

The Iguaneye "Jungle" is a flip-flop like no other. These 3-d printed shoes enhance dexterity and mobility lost in conventional flip-flops, while each shoe consists of two pieces that fit together like a lockstep puzzle. The company Iguaneye is aiming for the product to serve as the most minimal and functional footwear on the market, acting as a literal "second skin". The idea is based off historical traditions of the Amazonian Indians, who would dip their feet in the liquid rubber from trees for protection. With this goal in mind, the product seeks to reduce irritation from unwanted friction.

I observe that one of the pitfalls of forward thinking and innovative design can be forgetting to reference and build upon the past. While the idea of a more trek-worth flip-flop is not a new one, adapting the methodology of the past is a beautiful feat. At the root of this process is design research, and that may not always be gained from asking strangers. Real insight such as the amazonian traditions is found by looking at history in the context of individuals and life then, not as something glorified in a textbook.

Design is not just making. To create we first have to look outside. Only then can we see, and it is that understanding that drives powerful ideas forward.