Ascend Ahead as a Footwear Designer!

Clothes make a man, that is how a famous saying goes. But with changing preferences of current generation it is also the footwear which is defining one's personality. This in turn has changed the market dynamics and created opportunities for Footwear designing as a career.

Footwear designing encompasses the entire aesthetics and comfort factors associated with the product. Therefore footwear designing is done, keeping in mind mechanical functionality and anatomy of human foot. After this, attention is paid on the choice of material and structure of the shoes. It is after this that the style and fashion quotient is taken into consideration. Designers pay keen attention towards outward appearance which includes the color combination, curves, sole designing and all this is done without any compromises in comfort.

As footwear covers a major portion of fashion accessory, companies are running high in competition to offer as much variety as possible. Right from jogging shoe, trekking shoes to high heal party sandals, brands are rubbing their shoulders to prove themselves as best. In this scenario, the aspirants in this field must keep themselves updated about the prevailing market trends and future prospects in this field. Apart from this, aspirants must also judge their level of creativity and only then plunge for college selection.

Routine Jobs of a Footwear Designer

• Consult with head designer regarding shoe designs
• Along with contemporary trends, research on historical and cultural traditions
• Sketch ideas and plans for every piece
• Create patterns for samples
• Prepare prototype or handle prototype's creation
• Manage a shop

Apart from this, a shoe designer job also demands frequent travel around the globe for festivals, exhibitions, and also schools to sell their work. These professionals also conduct seminars and also undertake extensive research, to learn about techniques, materials associate with leather-working traditions.

Future Prospects in Footwear Designing

Despite of the fact, that India has few colleges in footwear designing, aspirants can make it big in this industry. The well known colleges offer good placements and one can start off as good as 10, 000 and reach to fair amount of salary at higher levels.

One can also work independently and encash his or her creative imagination, by selling the pieces in boutiques or through clothing stores. Freshers can also work as staff with any manufacturing firm, and create exclusive designs for mass creation. A lot of people prefer taking independent assignments and design as per tastes and preferences of different individuals.

One can also sell their designs online or through catalogs or simply by setting up their own boutiques. A lot of them also host their own fashion shows and make their presence felt.

Colleges offering courses in Footwear Designing:

• Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Noida
• Government Polytechnic, Mumbai
• AVI School of Fashion and Shoe Technology, Chandigarh
• International Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing
• Pearl Academy of Fashion and Art
• JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai
• National Institute of Design, Ahemdabad
• National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
• Central Footwear Training Institute, Agra
• Central Footwear Training Institute, Chennai
• Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology, Kolkata
• Bangladesh College of Leather Technology
• De Montford University, UK

Source: Prachi Srivastava (Shiksha Team)
Date: 4th May 2011