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National Runner Up

NEUNOI Sneakers

The circular children's sneakers by NEUNOI always become new again thanks to the optimised repair and sharing system. Additionally, their degradable soles prevent harmful microplastic abrasion.

  • Each element is optimized to be replaced or repaired as easily as possible.

  • Running without leaving traces - The local children's shoe from Zurich, available by subscription.

    Running without leaving traces - The local children's shoe from Zurich, available by subscription.

  • A NEUNOI develops uniquely and as a result becomes increasingly colourful and exciting by time.

  • Thanks to the biodegradable KUORI sole, the abraded microplastic decomposes in the environment.

  • Entirely geared to the needs of the target group – developed for and alongside children.

  • Keep it all in the cycle with a NEUNOI subscription. Pass it on, repair it and use it for longer.

What it does

Sneakers that include a business model to minimize waste and as an example of a solution to the microplastic problem. NEUNOIs can be repaired extremely efficiently, do not leave anything damaging in the environment and promote passing on things at a young age.

Your inspiration

1) When we walk in normal shoes, we leave behind large amounts of microplastics in nature. 2) Children use their shoes extensively and their feet grow very fast, so sneakers are often only worn for a short time by 6-10 year olds. 3) Children often wear shoes that do not fit properly, which can lead to lifelong physical damage. 4) When passing on children's shoes, it is vital to replace pre-formed and worn-out parts. We therefore want to move away from short use towards an exciting design developed especially for and with children, which is constantly evolving and engineered for efficient repair.

How it works

Subscription: Thanks to the subscription system, it doesn't matter how fast you're growing, you're guaranteed to always have a shoe that fits. As soon as your NEUNOI sneaker becomes too small, you can choose the follow-up shoe in the next size online. Place the old shoe in your own mailbox and NEUNOI will take care of the rest. Repairing: Damages to the shoe are allowed to happen! NEUNOIs returning to our workshop will be washed, and both the KUORI sole and the insole will be replaced. We systematically repair them with prefabricated patches or replace them with simple seam openings. 

Our aim is to restore the shoe to an ergonomically neutral condition and make it look new. The "like-new-again" sneaker then goes back to the online shop and is ready for the next child. Depending on occured damages and performed repairs, each NEUNOI develops differently and continually becomes more colourful and interesting.

Design process

Initially, the idea was to work with the biodegradable material KUORI and to find the right field of application for it. Additionally, we focused on designing for and with children from the very beginning. Their drawings and filled out questionnaires provided the foundation for the first prototype. Our goal is to prolong the lifetime of children's shoes significantly - this calls for a radically new approach to repairing processes to revalue the product cost effectively. We rethought and optimized every part of the shoe in the process, step by step. 

Holistic functionality has been key to all decisions, with the secondary aim of incorporating children's wishes to the maximum extent possible. At NEUNOI, we not only design for consumerism, but also for the proper handling of the resulting waste: if the shoe can no longer be repaired, we have control over the recycling and proper disposal of all the individual parts. Everything comes back to us. Instead of hiding the fact that we are repairing, we are celebrating it.

How it is different

No microplastics: One of our centrepieces is the biodegradable bottom layer of our soles, developed by the start-up KUORI. The microplastics rubbed off during walking fully decompose in nature and leave no harmful traces. That sole is replaced after each child and is 100% recyclable. Much less waste: Use one product longer and smarter: Only what really needs to be replaced is replaced. Each element is optimized to be replaced or repaired as easily as possible. 
Circular economy: Renting instead of owning, means caring together without limiting the children: the shoe should be used like crazy, after all, it can always be repaired. Local and fair: Short transport routes of parts, central repair point, usage of regional materials. Collaboration with sheltered workshops. Developed for children: Focus on special foot ergonomics for 6-10 year olds. Personalised insole, secret pocket and a wide online community concept.

Future plans

"Proof of Concept Producing a small series of approximately 10 sneakers, with all prototypes being slightly different, is the next step. These shoes will be tested and documented for a longer period of time. In addition, the manufacturers as well as suitable partners for the repairs still have to be found. During testing, other material options can also be tested. Further Testing + Production

Awards

Although the project was not completed until July 2023, NEUNOI has nevertheless so far been nominated for this year's "Design Sponsorship Award of the Zurich University of the Arts", the "Prototypes of Humanity Award 2023" and the "Design Weeks Zurich 2023".

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