Footwear Designer
What is the work like?
As a footwear designer you could choose to work in one of three different areas: high fashion (known as ‘haute couture’), designer ready-to-wear and high-street fashion.
Within these areas there is often the opportunity to specialise further, for example in women’s, children’s or sports footwear.
Your work would vary depending on your specialism. In high fashion you would create 'one off' designs, whilst with a designer ready-to-wear label you would often base your designs on a theme for the coming season.
You could either get your inspiration and ideas by doing research or be given a brief to follow by the head of the design department. If your company is well known for a particular style of shoe, you may be asked to 'tweak' existing designs.
Your work on a design may end when it has been approved by the head of design. However, you could go on to make and cut patterns and liaise with manufacturers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a footwear designer you need to have a relevant degree. A degree that teaches both design and technical skills will give you the practical knowledge needed to work in the industry. The following colleges and universities specialise in footwear design degrees:
- London College of Fashion
- De Montfort University, Leicester
- University of Northampton
- The International School of Footwear at Leicester College.
Because the industry is very competitive (more than 3,000 fashion and textiles students qualify from higher education each year), any work experience you gain would put you at an advantage when it comes to getting a job.
Most graduates enter the industry as design assistants before progressing to become designers – see the Fashion Design Assistant profile for information on this role.
It is also important to put together a portfolio of work that you can take along to interviews. This should include moodboards, designs and technical drawings.
To search for other colleges and universities offering fashion design and footwear-related courses and degrees, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website.
For more information about this career, see the Can U Cut It website.
What further training and development can I do?
On-the-job learning is a crucial part of developing your skills – once you are working as a footwear designer you would develop your existing skills and learn many new ones.
You could also take short courses dealing with specific technical aspects of footwear design. These are offered by a number of organisations including:
- SATRA Technology Centre – offers a wide range of training, including the SATRA Accredited Footwear Technologist award
- BLC Leather Technology Centre – offers training to companies in the leather industry, including footwear.
Postgraduate diplomas in footwear are available if you already have a relevant first degree. These include:
- Masters Degree in Fashion Footwear at the London College of Fashion
- MPhil and PhD research opportunities in footwear design at De Montfort University.
If you are already working in the footwear or fashion industry you could complete a part-time foundation degree. These are offered by organisations including the London College of Fashion, the University of Bolton and Leicester College.
You can complete a range of professional qualifications in the footwear industry through the Textile Institute, including Fellowship, Associateship and Licentiateship awards.
Where can I go for more information?
Kings Park Road
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6JD
Tel: 01604 679999
Rockingham Road
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN16 9JH
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for footwear designers can be around £15,000 a year.
- Experienced designers can earn from around £18,000 to £50,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would often work long hours and at weekends in order to meet deadlines – for example, the launch of a new collection.
Opportunities to travel include research visits to art galleries and trade shows or to particular places or countries linked to a theme. For example, if the theme was ‘Bollywood’, you may visit India.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in fashion
- accuracy and attention to detail
- an appreciation of shape and proportion
- drawing skills and the ability to use computer design software
- the ability to visualise designs
- knowledge of types of fabric and leather and their uses
- an understanding of the footwear production process.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for a footwear manufacturer, a footwear brand, an importer, or a footwear retailer. The job market for footwear designers is increasingly an international one, so the main employers in the UK tend to be medium-sized companies with international operations.
Once you are working as a footwear designer within a company, you can progress to jobs such as senior designer, design director or head of department (such as head of women’s footwear).
Alternatively, you may decide to become a freelance designer, employed by companies to work on specific projects, or become self-employed and launch your own collection.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Design Jobs
Drapers
Design Council
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