Product design graduate on designing award-winning modular footwear
30 January 2026
BA(Hons) Sustainable Product Design graduate Ben Mancini has been recognised internationally after winning two awards at the Global Footwear Awards for his final year project, AVNTRA Modular Footwear. The project picked up accolades in both the Gravity Sketch and 3D Printing categories, highlighting Ben’s thoughtful approach to emerging design tools, sustainability and future-facing footwear design.
Developed during his studies at Falmouth, the project explored how modular systems, virtual reality and additive manufacturing can reshape how footwear is designed, made and used. We caught up with Ben to talk about the moment he found out he’d won, how the course supported the project’s development and where he hopes to take AVNTRA next as he steps into the professional footwear industry.
Can you take us back to the moment you found out you’d won at the Global Footwear Awards?
I applied back in May 2025, just after completing my final year project, so by the time I found out in December, after a long and thorough judging process, it was incredibly exciting. Knowing the scale of work, research and design exploration that went into the project made the recognition feel particularly meaningful.
Being recognised by the Global Footwear Awards at this stage of my career is significant in terms of visibility and industry exposure. It has helped introduce my work to a wider, global audience and supported my transition from academic study into the professional footwear industry, which has already allowed me to meet some incredible people.
What do you think set AVNTRA Modular Footwear apart for the judges?
I believe the project stood out to the judges due to its technical exploration of emerging digital design and manufacturing tools. Using Gravity Sketch, I was able to demonstrate how virtual reality can redefine footwear modelling through a more intuitive, spatial approach to form development, beyond traditional CAD workflows.
In parallel, the project explored additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of complex geometries and structures not always achievable through conventional processes. Together, these technologies informed the modularity and construction of the design, shaping a new approach to footwear design. This resulted in the project winning awards in both the Gravity Sketch and 3D Printing categories.
The original idea came from researching modular systems in other sports, particularly skiing, where interchangeable components are commonly used to adapt performance and function. This led to an exploration of component separation in footwear, with the aim of creating a system where elements could be removed and interchanged, allowing users to transition between different shoe configurations without needing multiple pairs.
How did studying Sustainable Product Design at Falmouth support the development of a project at this level?
The course structure allowed me to explore a wide range of design directions while working within an industry-driven framework. The programme encouraged an iterative, research-led approach, and the technical expertise of the lecturers helped guide design decisions throughout the process. Their knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods and sustainability principles supported the development of the project and helped align my practice with real-world industry requirements.
Were there particular modules, briefs or studio moments that directly fed into AVNTRA?
A key stage in the development of AVNTRA occurred during the ‘Design Visions’ module where I explored multiple design directions through an iterative, research-led process, initially investigating the feasibility of a modular footwear system. This module provided the framework to test the concept at both a conceptual and technical level.
Studio presentation sessions were particularly influential, with feedback from Head of Architecture and Design, Drummond Masterton, helping to refine the project’s positioning and guiding areas of further exploration. This input strengthened the technical resolution of the modular architecture and enhanced my design thinking behind the project.
How important was access to facilities, prototyping and iterative making in bringing this project to life?
Access to facilities was extremely important in bringing it to life, particularly during the initial CAD development, which laid the foundation for the project. Having access to technical staff, such as John Peters, was equally crucial, as their input helped guide decisions when developing the footwear and navigating the practical challenges of translating modular concepts into manufacturable prototypes. Iterative prototyping and making allowed me to test forms, materials and assembly methods, refining both the technical and functional aspects of the design throughout the process, all achieved through additive manufacturing.
Where would you like to take the project next?
The next steps for AVNTRA focus on developing the overall brand identity while continuing to explore new design opportunities within the footwear space. Footwear and the culture that surrounds it have always been a key interest of mine, and I see this as an exciting area to develop further. The modular concept offers a strong opportunity to advance both the product and the brand, with the aim of expanding commercially by creating adaptable designs that meet the needs of athletes across a range of sporting contexts, while also contributing to the wider culture of contemporary footwear.
I’ve always been particularly interested in the streetwear footwear market, where athletic performance meets lifestyle and cultural expression. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m excited to push this area forward by leveraging advanced FDM printing techniques to experiment with complex geometries, material combinations and functional structures that would be difficult to achieve through traditional methods. This approach allows me to create footwear that is both highly functional and culturally relevant, exploring new possibilities in form, performance and production within the streetwear market.
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