COURSE INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTION:
Our Shoe Design Investigative Studio Course is an investigation into historic and current footwear design, conceptualization, sourcing and the manufacturing processes. Students will use this investigation and 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, 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 within the footwear industry as well as suppliers.
Teaching style will be based on over 30 years of real-world design, development, sourcing and merchandising experience in the global footwear industry.
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 price points and product brief creation. Concepts for collections 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 and 2D/digital communication of intended designs. This semester long intensive in shoe design will appeal to students interested in both the design and fabrication of these complex functional objects.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course provides students with the following skills and learning outcomes:
- Understanding of footwear construction, methods and components
- Understanding the lifecycle of the design / manufacturing process
- Understanding of concepts and application of footwear design
- Familiarity with how intellectual property relates to footwear trademarks as well as design and utility patents
- Familiarity with applying inspiration and research into ideation and designing market viable collections
- Ability to research and understand footwear specific materials and components
- Communicate, present and receive feedback in a professional and articulate manner
- A full practical understanding of what it would be like to work in the footwear industry
- Instructor: Caroline de Baere