Ahmedabad: A textile design student at NIFT Gandhinagar is 3D-printing custom shoe soles to give everyday runners the kind of personalized footwear that only elite athletes could afford earlier.

Jay Makan decided to examine shoes worn by athletes for his graduation project and struck gold. "While elite athletes get custom-made shoes, not all competing runners can afford them. Thus, I focused on the midsoles, insoles and outer soles to improve functionality and performance," said Makan, whose project was part of the institute's student showcase on June 6.His project involved 3D-printed material for the parts of shoes that can be customised based on the wearer's feet.

Makan used thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymers. "We took different combinations and densities to come up with the optimal mix. While some gave better flexibility, some gave better resistance. I was inspired by one of NIFT alumni's similar initiative to explore the possibilities offered by 3D printing technology," he said.Some other projects have also experimented with 3D printed material for car interiors, Sujani weaving and furniture.

This year's graduation project showcase was themed ‘Pragyanmasya Sampat' (confluence of knowledge in conclusion), integrating design, management and technology. The event saw participation from academia and industry to explore emerging trends as students showcased projects in domains such as textile design, traditional art and craft, new materials, lifestyle design and accessories, exhibition design, digital design and so on.

The students also organized a fashion show, ‘Impulse 2025.'Prof Sameer Sood, director of NIFT Gandhinagar, said that design is an integral part of shaping inclusive, sustainable, and culturally-grounded futures and new-age business models. "The students work on a four-month graduation project in their chosen field and push the boundaries with new technology and market trends," he said.Many of the projects were carried out in collaboration with industry partners, whereas a section focused on recycled and sustainable materials, including those from the textile sector.