ReSOLEution

Youth Shoe Design Initiative

Craft Your Future, One Sole at a Time

ReSOLEution empowers young people to design their own path forward through creative shoe design. Our program fosters creativity, responsibility, and personal growth, providing a unique platform for self-expression and skill development.

Program Highlights

Skill Development

Workshops teach valuable design and entrepreneurial skills.

Financial Empowerment

Shoe sales generate revenue for designers upon release.

Community Connection

Engages mentors, retailers, and the public in supporting youth transformation.

Identity and Storytelling

Participants choose how to share their journey, linking creativity to personal growth.

Our Impact

ConVerse aligns with the Justice co-lab's mission to break the cycle of recidivism and create opportunities for marginalised youth. Through this initiative, we aim to:

• Reduce reoffending risks by providing practical skills and support
• Foster community understanding and support for youth rehabilitation
• Empower young people to redefine their narrative and future

ReSOLEution: Youth Shoe Design Workshop Process

Overview
The ReSOLEution program consists of 4 x 40-minute sessions, guiding participants through the entire design process from initial concept to final prototype. Each session builds upon the previous one, allowing young people to develop their ideas and skills progressively.

Session Breakdown

Session 1: Brainstorming & Initial Design (40 minutes)
- Intro & Icebreaker (5 mins): Quick activity to energise the group and introduce the project.
- Brainstorming (15 mins): Participants explore personal stories, interests, and themes they want to express through their shoe design.
- Initial Sketching (15 mins): Begin rough sketches of shoe designs, focusing on main elements and overall concept.
- Share & Reflect (5 mins): Brief sharing of initial ideas with the group for feedback.

Session 2: Design Development (40 minutes)
- Design Principles (10 mins): Brief lesson on key design principles (colour theory, balance, etc.).
- Refine Designs (20 mins): Participants develop their initial sketches into more detailed designs.
- Storytelling (10 mins): Work on the narrative behind the design - what story does the shoe tell?

Session 3: Prototyping & Making (40 minutes)
- Intro to Materials (5 mins): Overview of available materials and techniques.
- Prototyping (30 mins): Create a basic 3D model or detailed sketch of the shoe design.
- Problem-Solving (5 mins): Address any design challenges that arose during prototyping.

Session 4: Planning & Review (40 minutes)
- Production Planning (15 mins): Discuss how the design could be produced at scale.
- Presentation Prep (15 mins): Prepare a brief presentation of the design and its story.
- Final Review (10 mins): Group review and constructive feedback on each design.

Key Skills Developed
- Creative thinking and problem-solving
- Visual communication and storytelling
- Basic design and prototyping skills
- Presentation and public speaking
- Giving and receiving constructive feedback

Outcomes
By the end of the four sessions, each participant will have:
- A fully developed shoe design concept
- A prototype or detailed visual representation of their design
- A story or narrative explaining the meaning behind their design
- Experience presenting their ideas to a group

This structured yet flexible process allows young people to engage deeply with the creative process while developing valuable skills that can be applied in various aspects of their lives.

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