Footwear designer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in footwear design, or a fashion design qualification that includes footwear.

You should look for courses that teach both the design and technical skills needed by the industry.

The British Fashion Council is a good place to start looking for courses.

Entry requirements:

• a foundation diploma in art and design
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a fashion and textiles product technologist higher apprenticeship.

This typically takes 22 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a design assistant in a studio and learn on the job. With further training, you could begin to produce your own designs.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be flexible and open to change
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• leadership skills
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• concentration skills
• business management skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to work well with your hands
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Footwear designers create new designs and sample patterns for men's, women's and children's footwear.

You could create exclusive 'one off' haute couture designs or ready-to-wear, high street pieces. You will typically:

• research design ideas, materials and fashion trends
• use computer aided design (CAD) and traditional hand-drawing techniques
• create your own original designs or adapt existing ones
• oversee the development of product samples and prototypes
• present your ideas to the design team
• be aware of costs and timescales for production
• develop technical specifications to help the manufacturer produce your design
• check the quality of finished products and suggest design changes when there are problems

Location : You could work in a creative studio, from home or in a workshop.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience within a company, you could progress to senior designer, design director or head of department.

You could also become a freelance designer, employed by companies to work on specific projects, or become self-employed and launch your own collection.