Gallery: Here's a Novel Idea: A Mini-Factory for Making Your Own Shoes

  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Footwear Sandal and Shoe
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    01

    allShoes

    Two European designers have created Don't Run-Beta: an experimental, small-scale manufacturing shop for leather goods.
  • Image may contain Flooring Human Person Wood Sitting Floor and Hardwood
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    02

    laser

    At Don't Run-Beta, customers pick out a material and a shoe template, then watch as a laser cutting machine and 3-D printer create shoes on the spot.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Wood Flooring Human Person Floor Hardwood and Coat
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    03

    Materials

    The shoes are assembled without any adhesives, and consist of only five pieces of leather—fewer than the 35 or more pieces typically needed per pair during standard manufacturing.
  • Image may contain Human and Person
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    04

    assembystep1

    Co-founder Juan Montero calls this “controlled waste.” They only buy as much leather as they can store, and don't replenish until they've run out.
  • Image may contain Blade Weapon Knife Weaponry Human and Person
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    05

    assembystep3

    The Don't Run-Beta team sourced the shoe design templates from designer friends, including one who works full time for Camper shoes.
  • So far theyve held a monthlong pop up version of Dont RunBeta in Gent Belgium and will set up shop again this week at...
    Photo: Don't Run-Beta
    06

    3dPrinter

    So far they’ve held a monthlong pop up version of Don’t Run-Beta in Gent, Belgium, and will set up shop again this week at Droog Gallery in Amsterdam.
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