Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino by Eric Paskach

Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino by Eric Paskach is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Kijamii Competition Category.

ChumaKijamii· 2025

Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino

by Eric Paskach

Client: Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award Winner in Kijamii Category

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Colors

The Design

About Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino

Dino Stride ni kiatu cha michezo kilichoundwa kwa watoto wadogo wanaovaa vibanio vya kiungo cha mguu na kifundo (ankle-foot orthoses). Sehemu ya juu imetengenezwa kwa kitambaa cha matundu chenye upitishaji hewa unaopunguza joto linalojengeka kati ya mguu na kibanio. Sehemu ya chini yenye kina inatoa nafasi na msaada kwa kibanio huku ikidumisha urefu wa kawaida wa kiatu cha mtoto. Zipu za pembeni huruhusu sehemu ya mbele ya kiatu kufunguka, hivyo kuvaa na kuvua kiatu inakuwa haraka na rahisi. Maelezo ya dinosaria na muundo wa kijeshi (camouflage) huongeza tabia ya kuchezea. Muundo huu unasaidia uthabiti, ufaafu na kujiamini wakati wa mchakato wa urekebishaji wa afya (rehabilitation).

The Recognition

About the Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award

Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima unaotolewa kwa miundo mizuri inayokidhi mahitaji ya kitaalamu na ya kiviwanda yanayotarajiwa kutoka kwa kazi zilizobuniwa vizuri. Washindi wa Chuma huonyesha ustadi mkubwa, utaalamu wa hali ya juu, uelewa wa kitaalamu na uwezo wa kibunifu wa waumbaji wao. Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino inatarajiwa kuwa kazi inayothaminiwa sana, kupendwa na kuenziwa, ambayo ni ya vitendo na bunifu. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Chuma ya A' Design Award unajumuisha mbinu bora za tasnia na una sifa za kiufundi zenye uwezo zilizounganishwa na ujuzi na kipaji. Dino Stride Kiatu Kirefu cha Dino inaheshimiwa kwa uangalifu wake na imebuniwa kutoa maboresho ya ubora wa maisha yanayosaidia kuufanya ulimwengu kuwa mahali bora zaidi.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: 1 in 345 children are born with cerebral palsy. That is a huge number of children that not only need lower-limb orthotics, but special shoes as well. In the orthotics-friendly footwear market, there is a massive disconnect in communication leading to a final product that completely neglects the user's needs.

Dino Stride solves these issues with an orthotics-friendly shoe that is functional, stylish, and fun, making orthotics more engaging for children, and aiding rehabilitation.
Dimensions & Packaging: The physical model was designed for the average three to four-year-old boy using an ankle-foot orthosis to keep fit while wearing the orthotics a top priority.

The shoe itself is approximately 100mm x 200mm x 125mm
Tags: adaptive, shoes, orthotics, AFO, children, dinosaur, footwear, cerebral palsy, kids, friendly
Production Technology: Empathic design is an approach that brings critical insights into the design process. Throughout this project, I did not only gather data from interviews, surveys, and secondary research. Through firsthand experiences, I immersed myself in the world of those who rely on orthotic-friendly footwear. I understood their frustrations and felt their desire for something better. Every choice was driven by what I had learned, ensuring the final design truly serves the children who need it most.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge of this project was reshaping the shoe form to comfortably accommodate an orthotic without sacrificing the look and feel of a typical kids' shoe. Every child deserves to feel confident and included, so it was crucial to design something that blends in seamlessly with their peers' footwear. Through several iterations, the final design emerged, one that works comfortably with orthotics while prioritizing style, comfort, and the joy of simply being a kid.
Research: For Dino Stride, I conducted surveys and interviews of caregivers of children with lower-limb orthotics, empathic role-play of the child and orthotist, and studied research relating to gait, orthotics, and footwear for orthotics. The objective was to identify which issues were most prevalent for children with lower-limb orthotics. Style, fit, and width were the most prevalent issues. The surveys and interviews conducted provided the most critical insight for design decisions.
Inspiration: Children with disabilities are often disregarded in the world of design. Most equipment designed for these children is simply downscaled versions of technology made for adults. This practice neglects the fact that these users are children and that their wants and needs are far different from those of adults. Therefore, children with disabilities need products designed specifically for them.

I was inspired to make a change in the orthotics-friendly footwear market which suffers from this exact problem.
Project Duration: This project started in January 2024 and finished in May 2024. It was exhibited in Ames Iowa at Iowa State University in May 2024
Operation Flow: The upper is made of a breathable mesh knit to mitigate the heat generated from the foot against the orthotics. A deep sole provides space and support for the orthotics while maintaining the typical height of a kid's shoe. Side zippers allow the front of the shoe to fold open for fast and easy donning and doffing while wearing the orthotics. The dinosaur details and camo pattern add necessary character and fun to the shoe to help with acceptance of the orthotics and self-confidence.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Eric Paskach, 2025
Image Credits: Image #5: Photographer Bjorn Iverson, 2024