Essential Information
Shoe design courses cover topics ranging from sketching and patternmaking to construction. Here is a list of common concepts taught in shoe design courses:
- Footwear history
- Trends in footwear
- Patternmaking
- Textiles and leathers
- Design techniques
In addition, shoe design coursework is hands-on and involves creating various fashion projects. An internship or final product design project may be required for graduation from a degree program.
List of Courses
Footwear Design
This class teaches students how shoe styles and trends have evolved, including those found in both historic and contemporary periods. Coursework includes an introduction to basic sketching, patternmaking and shoe construction. It also prepares students for the hands-on design work required in subsequent classes.
Sketching
In this course, footwear designers learn how to commit their shoe design ideas to paper. In order to create useful sketches, students learn how to draw proper proportions and acquire skills in technical drawing and rendering. Students may also be introduced to computer-aided design applications.
Patternmaking
Using their design and sketching skills, students learn how to translate those 2-dimensional images to 3-dimensional finished shoes. In accordance with industry standards, students construct sketch-based patterns. Through hands-on studio work, they also have the opportunity to develop computer-aided and manual drafting skills, and to work on a last.
Shoe Design Business
Topics in this class include general product development and industry workflow. Students also learn sales and marketing as they relate to shoe design.
