Shoes is an investigation into historic and current trends in shoe design, sourcing and manufacturing processes.  Students will use this investigation and research to define and develop their own unique designs in footwear.This class will introduce students to the methodologies of shoe design.  Arranged around multiple scaling studio projects, students will design unique shoe collections, research brand conceptualization, color, and material investigation, and eventually, if possible, create prototypes of their own shoe designs. If not able to get the materials needed to create physical shoes, students will design insoles and packaging for their final collection. The 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 what students have available on their own to have as much of a hands-on making focus 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. 

The shoe design 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 

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