Zellerfeld Mule Design Challenge
We teamed up with our friends at Zellerfeld to host a mule design challenge. Design in Vizcom, make it real with Zellerfeld.
The brief:
Mules are slip-on closed toe shoes that prioritize ease, comfort, and effortless wear. Designers are invited to rethink this familiar form, focusing on clarity of concept while considering how your design could translate to the real world.
Timeline
March 2, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 30, 2026
Read the challenge brief. Design your mules in Vizcom.
Submit your final design images, description, and Vizcom file by March 16, 2026 @11:59 PM EST.
Our judging panel will select the Top 3 designs to be Zellerfy-ied. Your design will be produced and shipped to you.
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Prompt
Reimagine a pair of mules in Vizcom. Designers are invited to rethink this familiar form, exploring bold ideas, unexpected forms, and expressive details. Focus on clarity of concept while considering how your design could translate to the real world.
Constraints
No boot, low-top or high-top designs.
No open toe designs.
Must be 3D printable. No mixed material designs.
Avoid cutouts (ie. holes) on the body of your mule.
Refer to the shoe last shared in the Vizcom Zellerfeld Template file. Template also located in the "Learn" section of the product.
Challenge guide
Open this guide to access everything you need for this challenge.
Guide includes a starter template file and resources to get started.
Challenge stages
Stage 1: Design your mule in Vizcom
Participants have two weeks to design and submit their mule designs. Mules must be designed in Vizcom and must meet the submission guidelines to qualify for judging.
Stage 2: Judging and evaluation
Using the judging criteria below, the Vizcom and Zellerfeld team will shortlist and announce the top 30 submissions.
Our judging panel (of industry footwear designers) will then select the top 3 submissions that will move on to production with Zellerfeld.
Note: Decisions cannot be appealed. Winners will be selected based on the judges' collective assessment.
Stage 3: Production
The top 3 submissions will 3D modeling their designs to meet the Zellerfeld production guidelines. Designers will submit the required files directly in Zellerfeld Studio and pass their auto-checks.
The Vizcom and Zellerfeld team will provide assistance here as needed. 3D modelling knowledge is not necessary, but is a bonus.
Stage 4: Wrap up
The Zellerfeld team will produce and ship samples of your shoe once complete. Vizcom will work directly with the winners to produce spotlight content.
Timelines
- Submissions open: March 2 @ 9:00 AM EST
- Submission deadline: March 16 @ 11:59 PM EST
- Top 30 announced: March 23
- Top 3 announced: March 30
- Production begins: Month of April
Once winners are selected, we’ll reach out and work with the designers to kickstart stage 3 of the production process.
Submission process
Submissions must include:
- Full name
- Project name
- Project description
- Project inspiration
- Zellerfeld Studio Account Email*
- Vizcom project file link*
- Five final design images
- One optional animation file
* The file must include a 3D model generated in Vizcom
*It’s a submission requirement that you create a Zellerfeld Studio account.
Submissions gallery
A snapshot of the incredible submissions we received from the challenge.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on the following criteria.
Creativity & Originality (35%)
Uniqueness of the concept, strength of the idea, and how compellingly the design reimagines the mule.
Design Quality (25%)
Overall execution, attention to detail, form, proportion, and clarity of the final presentation.
Process (10%)
How effectively Vizcom was used throughout the creative process, including iteration, exploration, and workflow development.
Feasibility (20%)
Consideration of real-world production, materials, and how the design could translate from concept to physical product.
Alignment with Brief (10%)
How well the design meets the challenge guidelines and constraints.
Your next idea could be the one we make real
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