Our Shoe Design Studio Course is an investigation into current footwear design, conceptualization, sourcing, and the manufacturing processes. Students will use research to create concepts, as well as define and develop their own unique footwear designs.
This class will introduce students to the methodologies of shoe design. Arranged around multiple scaling studio projects, students will research brand conceptualization, sustainability options, color and material investigation, and develop patterns to eventually create prototypes of their own shoe designs.
We will have multiple guest lectures either by video or in-person throughout the semester from people who are currently designing and manufacturing as well as suppliers.
Students will be expected to conceptualize, name and create a unique logo for a footwear brand, research inspirational themes and then, identify and develop a targeted consumer persona, while considering sustainability, price points, and product brief creation. Concepts will reflect the criteria used.
This class will use the many donated lasts, outsoles and other materials from industry brands we have available, and some purchased on their own to create a hands-on experience from design and development, through manufacturing. We will discuss traditional and contemporary prototyping practices, global production and sourcing methodology.
- Instructor: Caroline de Baere