2 answers
Emily
Student
Jersey City, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
852 views
How do I become a shoe disigner ?
How do I become a shoe designer
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2445
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Emily !
Your question is so fun that I would like to give you some advice, but you have left out a lot of information in order for me to advise you fully. Most of the people who are designing shoes are established name designers or work for noted footwear companies. If all you want to design are shoes, you can learn how by taking an in person workshop or online course such as the ones offered at I Can Make Shoes. The link to their website is below.
If all you want to do are shoes, you would have time to also attend college and major in one of your other interests and get a degree for an additional career while you also make shoes. Designing them will not be enough, you will have to construct the shoe as well as design it and market it after manufacturing it, but you can learn how to do this. You may want to market your original styles to stores or manufacturers, so you will have to give or show them samples. But you have asked how to be only a designer which means creating/sketching the styles for shoes.
I would advise getting a job in a shoe store. You'll learn a lot about construction, brands, designers and the shoe industry. It may be a great place to make professional contacts who know the retail market and can advise you on your focused interest.
There is actually a website that tells you how to design your own shoes and possibly get them sold on line. This website is called Alive Shoes and I have left the link for it below. You can apply as a designer, design shoes and start selling the shoes. Speaking of on-line, there is a world of information and instructions on how to make shoes and slippers. Just do a search for this and you will be surprised at the many, many websites and videos there are that can help you with this. The sky's the limit !
It's not going to be enough to just draw different shoe styles, you will have to create the shoe. Become familiar with how shoes are made, the various materials and tools you will need to buy. It will be an investment. If you only want to design, you can sketch and send out your sketches to various companies to see whether or not they would like to buy your design for manufacturing and marketing.
I know this is limited advice but I do hope it is a little help and can get you started. I wish you all the best in your creative endeavors !
SHOEMAKING COURSES AND WORK SHOPS https://icanmakeshoes.com/
ALIVE SHOES https://www.aliveshoes.com/
Your question is so fun that I would like to give you some advice, but you have left out a lot of information in order for me to advise you fully. Most of the people who are designing shoes are established name designers or work for noted footwear companies. If all you want to design are shoes, you can learn how by taking an in person workshop or online course such as the ones offered at I Can Make Shoes. The link to their website is below.
If all you want to do are shoes, you would have time to also attend college and major in one of your other interests and get a degree for an additional career while you also make shoes. Designing them will not be enough, you will have to construct the shoe as well as design it and market it after manufacturing it, but you can learn how to do this. You may want to market your original styles to stores or manufacturers, so you will have to give or show them samples. But you have asked how to be only a designer which means creating/sketching the styles for shoes.
I would advise getting a job in a shoe store. You'll learn a lot about construction, brands, designers and the shoe industry. It may be a great place to make professional contacts who know the retail market and can advise you on your focused interest.
There is actually a website that tells you how to design your own shoes and possibly get them sold on line. This website is called Alive Shoes and I have left the link for it below. You can apply as a designer, design shoes and start selling the shoes. Speaking of on-line, there is a world of information and instructions on how to make shoes and slippers. Just do a search for this and you will be surprised at the many, many websites and videos there are that can help you with this. The sky's the limit !
It's not going to be enough to just draw different shoe styles, you will have to create the shoe. Become familiar with how shoes are made, the various materials and tools you will need to buy. It will be an investment. If you only want to design, you can sketch and send out your sketches to various companies to see whether or not they would like to buy your design for manufacturing and marketing.
I know this is limited advice but I do hope it is a little help and can get you started. I wish you all the best in your creative endeavors !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Jeongin Han
Design
1
Answer
San Jose, California
Updated
Jeongin’s Answer
Hi Emily,
It’s great to hear that you’re interested in becoming a shoe designer! Designing footwear is an exciting and dynamic career that blends creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving. Here’s a roadmap to help you get started:
1. Study industrial design or a related field
Most footwear designers have a background in industrial design, fashion design, or a related field. A degree in industrial design is especially useful because it teaches essential skills like form, function, material selection, and user-centered design. Schools like Parsons, SCAD, Pensole, ArtCenter, and RISD have strong design programs. Udemy and Coursera provides free academic programs related to Adobe and other 3D softwares.
2. Explore different types of shoes
To design great shoes, you need to understand them inside and out. Try wearing different types of sneakers, boots, high-performance shoes, and even heritage footwear to see how they feel and function. Think about what makes each design unique—materials, construction, cushioning, and support.
3. Develop your sketching skills
Footwear design starts with drawing. Practice sketching shoes daily to improve your ability to visualize and communicate ideas. Study proportions, details, and textures. If you're new to sketching, start by copying existing shoe designs and then move on to creating your own concepts.
4. Learn essential design software
To bring your ideas to life, you’ll need to learn design software. Here are the key tools used in the industry:
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (for 2D renderings and color concepts)
- Rhino 3D or Blender (for 3D modeling)
- CLO3D or Gravity Sketch (used for virtual prototyping in footwear)
- Procreate or Sketchbook (for digital hand-drawing)
5. Experiment with prototyping and materials
A great way to learn is by making shoes yourself. Start by deconstructing old shoes to see how they’re built. You can also create mockups using paper, fabric, or clay before moving to more advanced prototyping.
6. Build a strong portfolio
Your portfolio is key to getting into the industry. Include:
- Original shoe sketches and renderings
- 3D models and prototypes
- Storytelling elements (why you designed it, who it’s for, and the problem it solves)
7. Network and gain experience
Internships at companies like Nike, Adidas, Puma, or New Balance can help you gain industry experience. Also, consider attending Pensole Footwear Academy, a specialized school that partners with major brands to train aspiring designers.
8. Stay inspired and keep creating
Follow footwear designers, trend reports, and sneaker culture to stay inspired. Platforms like Instagram, Behance, and Dribbble showcase amazing work that can motivate you.
If you’re passionate and keep practicing, you can definitely become a shoe designer! Best of luck, and I hope to see your designs on store shelves one day!
- A Fashion Designer
It’s great to hear that you’re interested in becoming a shoe designer! Designing footwear is an exciting and dynamic career that blends creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving. Here’s a roadmap to help you get started:
1. Study industrial design or a related field
Most footwear designers have a background in industrial design, fashion design, or a related field. A degree in industrial design is especially useful because it teaches essential skills like form, function, material selection, and user-centered design. Schools like Parsons, SCAD, Pensole, ArtCenter, and RISD have strong design programs. Udemy and Coursera provides free academic programs related to Adobe and other 3D softwares.
2. Explore different types of shoes
To design great shoes, you need to understand them inside and out. Try wearing different types of sneakers, boots, high-performance shoes, and even heritage footwear to see how they feel and function. Think about what makes each design unique—materials, construction, cushioning, and support.
3. Develop your sketching skills
Footwear design starts with drawing. Practice sketching shoes daily to improve your ability to visualize and communicate ideas. Study proportions, details, and textures. If you're new to sketching, start by copying existing shoe designs and then move on to creating your own concepts.
4. Learn essential design software
To bring your ideas to life, you’ll need to learn design software. Here are the key tools used in the industry:
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (for 2D renderings and color concepts)
- Rhino 3D or Blender (for 3D modeling)
- CLO3D or Gravity Sketch (used for virtual prototyping in footwear)
- Procreate or Sketchbook (for digital hand-drawing)
5. Experiment with prototyping and materials
A great way to learn is by making shoes yourself. Start by deconstructing old shoes to see how they’re built. You can also create mockups using paper, fabric, or clay before moving to more advanced prototyping.
6. Build a strong portfolio
Your portfolio is key to getting into the industry. Include:
- Original shoe sketches and renderings
- 3D models and prototypes
- Storytelling elements (why you designed it, who it’s for, and the problem it solves)
7. Network and gain experience
Internships at companies like Nike, Adidas, Puma, or New Balance can help you gain industry experience. Also, consider attending Pensole Footwear Academy, a specialized school that partners with major brands to train aspiring designers.
8. Stay inspired and keep creating
Follow footwear designers, trend reports, and sneaker culture to stay inspired. Platforms like Instagram, Behance, and Dribbble showcase amazing work that can motivate you.
If you’re passionate and keep practicing, you can definitely become a shoe designer! Best of luck, and I hope to see your designs on store shelves one day!
- A Fashion Designer