![]() The answer is always inside, you just need a new way to let it out. Surround yourself. If I have a design problem I can’t solve, I just dive in and start flipping pages. I have collected dozens of design, design history, manufacturing, architecture, branding, and packaging design books. Fill up your brain, and let your eyes drink up this design stew. There are many websites where you can see brilliant modern designs for products aside from shoes. Fill your mind with images – Ferrari, Prada, Frank Gehry, Philippe Starck, Apple, Porsche, etc. There is a multitude of great industrial designs out there. To be a great shoe designer you need to look well beyond shoes. All of these types have unique shoemaking lessons! Don’t be afraid to stand on the shoulders of the shoe giants! Study fashion shoes, sports shoes, and brown shoes. Get to know the classic silhouettes from the big brands. Not the masterworks of Italian painters but classic shoes. More than 200 of them contain the word “Footwear.” They also offer paid summer internships around the world in many fields of study. There may not be an open job, but feedback on your shoe designs can help!Ĭheck out Nike’s online career website at . Nike and Converse combined currently have more than 1700 open positions. Reach out to footwear professions online, ask for a portfolio review. Let people see what you can do! Other tools? Surfing can get you some contacts. With an online portfolio, you can show hundreds of drawings. In this day and age, an online portfolio is a must. There are many ways to get noticed and get started but a great shoe design portfolio is your launching point. Build a great shoe design portfolio to get a foot in the door: As a designer, you should start with Adobe Illustrator for drawing shoes.ĥ. If you are an engineer, use 3D modeling software. While Illustrator is not a 3D CAD program, it’s still critical for you to master. Adobe Illustrator is easy to learn and is a great tool for refining and detailing your designs. There are many drawing programs you can use. Learn computer drawing software: Start with Adobe Illustrator I count a Canadian, an Englishman, and many Korean and Chinese men and women as my great friends and mentors in the shoe trade.Ĥ. I guarantee that while working in the shoe trade you will meet people from all around the world with many different experiences. If you are not afraid to ask questions, and patient enough to listen, you will learn a ton from mentors and coworkers. Along the way, I have met and worked with many great people. I have been very lucky in my shoemaking career. We have new courses for all levels for shoemakers and designers. Design school will help you to become a shoe designer. ID programs include classes on materials, drawing, human factors, etc… In design school, you will work with many creative people and you will definitely be challenged. ![]() Industrial Design is what you are looking for, NOT engineering. There are many great programs for Industrial Design or ID. Is a 4-year design school a must for shoe designers? Maybe not, but the skills and experience gained from a 4-year college or design school will really give you an edge. There are more and more school programs for shoe design and fashion design. Work hard to draw shoes that are fresh, creative, and break the rules of shoemaking, however, you also must show that you know and understand the rules of shoemaking. A designer that can draw outsoles will always be in demand. Pro tip: Make sure to spend time drawing outsole bottoms and midsoles. ![]() Check out the Render Demo series of books and videos. Do you think hand drawings are old-fashioned? Think again. You need to master concept sketching and some rendering skills. In a design meeting, the drawing that captures the imagination but also shows real possibilities will be the design that makes it all the way to production! You have to be good, and your drawings need to show your passion and creativity to others. Your shoe drawings are how you communicate your ideas. This will be your language, you need to know it well. If you want to be a professional shoe designer, of course, you need to learn how to draw shoes. 10 steps toward your goal to be a shoe designer: Learn to draw shoes…ġ. While searching for a job I spent over 50 hours a week drawing shoes. I landed my first shoe design job as a freelancer after spending four months unemployed. ![]() Don’t be afraid to start your professional shoe design career with a small company or work as a freelance designer. I’m going to be totally honest with you, landing a shoe design job at a top brand is difficult, but if you work hard and don’t give up you can get into the business. ![]()
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