Do you want to become a Footwear Designer? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
Job Description - 
Print Page
Footwear designers create designs for new shoes, sandals and other footwear, making rough drawings from their designs. They then make a last - a model of the shoe and heel - from the drawings and suggest suitable colours and fabrics. Once designs have been agreed, they are finalised for production. Designers need to keep up to date with fashion styles and trends, and attend fashion shows and exhibitions. Computer-aided design (CAD) systems are often used.
Footwear designers usually work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but additional hours may be required when working to deadlines or attending shows and exhibitions. They work in design studios or small workshops, by themselves or as part of a team. Most travel as part of their job, in order to meet prospective customers and attend the shows and exhibitions.
Salaries range from around £14,000 a year for newly-qualified footwear designers, to more than £40,000 for senior designers or design team heads.
A footwear designer should:
• be creative and imaginative, with a flair for design
• be able to draw by hand or use CAD programs
• be able to produce work of a high quality, often to tight deadlines
• have good communication skills
• have practical knowledge of production methods
• have a strong interest in fashion and current styles
• enjoy creative work in a fast-paced environment.
The design world is highly competitive, often with more applicants than vacancies. Footwear designers work for fashion houses, footwear manufacturers, catalogue companies and specialist shops. Some designers work on a freelance basis or run their own small businesses.
Most footwear designers enter the profession with a degree or an HND in fashion. There are specialist footwear design degrees, foundation degrees, HNDs and other diplomas available. There is no upper age limit to become a footwear designer.
Courses in design and footwear include assessment, practical work and sometimes work placements. The Chartered Institute of Designers offers membership for professional designers, and also runs courses and workshops.
There are sometimes promotion opportunities in footwear manufacturing companies, for example to supervisor or head of design. Overseas opportunities can occur, particularly in the main fashion design centres, such as Paris and New York.
Do you know of a useful and relevant website that would be helpful to our users? Tell us about it by emailing 
