What is it?
SancShoeryis a soft and playful shoe rack that transforms the everyday act ofremoving shoes into a mindful ritual. Designed to encourage slowingdown, it responds to users with sensory cues—chimes, soft lighting,and calming music—creating a transition from movement to stillness.
How does it work?
Whena user passes by without removing their shoes, SancShoeryplays a gentle chime as a reminder. Sitting on its cushioned toptriggers a warm glow and soothing ambient sounds, inviting users topause and relax. The interactions, powered by Arduino sensors, createan intuitive and playful experience, reinforcing a sense of arrivaland decompression.
Who is it for?
SancShoeryis designed for individuals with fast-paced routines who seek smallmoments of calm in their daily lives. Whether arriving home fromwork, school, or a busy day, the shoe rack encourages a mindfultransition into personal space.
Why this concept?
Thebrief challenged the team to create a softand playful shoe rack. Earlyexplorations included concepts inspired by DanceDance Revolution and a modularLEGO-style rack, allowing usersto build their own structure. However, the themes of softness andplayfulness needed to be embodied in the experience itself, alongwith the form. The final design drew inspiration from a simplemacramé touch interaction made with paper,which informed the sensory-driven and responsive nature ofSancShoery.
Learnings from the process
Prototypingwas essential in shaping the final design. Early low-fidelityexperiments, such as using vacuums and wind for playful interactions,allowed the team to test engagement methods. As the fidelityincreased, Arduino-powered sensors refined the experience, makinginteractions more fluid and intuitive. This process reinforced theidea that meaningful design emerges from continuous exploration,iteration, and the ability to translate abstract concepts intotangible interactions.
