Who doesn’t like buying a new footwear? Almost everyone likes flaunting a new footwear. Whenever one thinks of purchasing footwear, the top brands that come to mind are NIKE, ADIDAS, PUMA, REEBOK, LIBERTY, SKECHERS, etc. However, the purpose of a shoe is not just to protect our feet and provide comfort. It’s considered as one of the primary fashion accessory. In this post we are going to discuss why choose footwear design as a career?
One can opt for different shoe types based on the usage and occasion like athletic shoes, ballet flats, boat shoes, bootie, brogue, chelsea boots, chukka boots, clog, court, pump shoes, derby, dorsae, Espadrille, Flip-Flops, Gladiator, Gum boots, and so on.
But have you ever thought about the brains behind the designs of the footwear? If you are one such person. Who has a keen interest in design and want to pursue a creative career, then you MUST consider footwear design as a career option..
Footwear Designing:
Footwear designing is becoming one of the dynamic and demanding professions. The nature of this career is really challenging. One has to keep up with current trends and bring out new designs regularly.
Continuous learning & improvement is necessary to be an expert in this field. If you choose it as your career choice, your job roles will include:
- Involve in pattern making & construction.
- Upgrade knowledge on a regular basis about the materials used in manufacturing.
- Market research & analysis to understand the fast moving categories and designs.
- Attend fashion shows and events to keep yourself updated about the latest accessory trends in the market.
- Digital designing and product costing.
After Pursuing a course in footwear design, one can opt for any career role. Some of these include product designer, marketing coordinator, footwear development manager, footwear technician, techpack designer, branding, design curator or a merchandiser.
Skills required:
Passion for the fashion Industry, Product Knowledge, Material Knowledge, Excellent Communication Skills, Spatial & Visualisation skills, aesthetic interest, Customer Service, Artistic & designing Skills, good sketching skills, Creativity, thinking out of the box are some skills that are required for one to be a part of this industry.
Courses to opt for:
Based on your level of study, you have options to opt for short term certification courses as well as a opt for a degree in footwear design.
Programmes Offered:
Certificate Courses: Basic eligibility to appear for the certification courses is that the candidate must have completed 12th from any recognized institution
- Certificate Course in Footwear Manufacturing & Technology
- Basic & Advanced Courses in Footwear Design
- Certificate Course in Creative design & shoe Making
- Certificate Course in basic Shoe Design and Pattern Making
Diploma Courses: Eligibility ranges from 10th or 12th or graduation, based on the course you choose.
As a student you can choose to diplomas in –
- Footwear Production
- Leather Goods & Footwear Technology
- Footwear technology
- Footwear Manufacturing & Design
- PG Diploma in Footwear Design 7 production Technology.
Undergraduate Courses: Completion of Class 12th and appearing for entrance exams based on the institutes you opt for.
- BSc in Footwear Technology
- BSc in Accessory Design (Jewellery & Footwear)
- BDes in Footwear Design & Production
- BDes in Leather Goods & Accessories Design
Postgraduate Courses: Completion of a degree in design or any degree, and appearing for entrance exams based on the institutes you opt for.
- MSc Creative Designing CAD/CAM (Footwear Design)
- MDes in Footwear Design
- MDes in Footwear Design & Production
Top Institutes that offer footwear design course in India:
- International Institute of Fashion & Interior Design, Hyderabad
- Central Footwear Training Institute, Agra
- FDDI- Footwear Design & Development Institute, Noida
- NIFT Delhi – National Institute of Fashion Design Delhi
- Parul University Vadodara
Top Institutes for Footwear design in Tamil Nadu:
- CFTI Central Footwear training Institute Chennai
- Alagappa Institute of Technology, Chennai
- NIFT National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai
Career Scope & Salary Package in India & Abroad:
As a career footwear designing has attracted reasonable percentage of young minds. They see it as a viable career option. Getting hired by top companies, retail management, entrepreneurship in footwear Industry, freelancing designer for celebrities are top career options to consider.
There are many designers and experts in this field, who custom design for celebrities like Aishwarya Rai to startups that have seen a huge income in creating their own designs.
Average salary of a footwear designer in India ranges around Rs. 4 lacs per annum, whereas in the US companies are paying the highest salary of almost $90,000 for the creative minds. Some of the top Hiring companies in India include Myntra, Puma, Ted Fedre, ADCI, Elevar Sports, Adidas, Liberty, Bata and more.
To be successful in any career you it is important to have a clarity. Have a clarity in how to choose a career. Choosing or deciding a career path can be done right from when one completes secondary or high school.
There are exams and career counselors that help students to gain insight into career choices. The right Career Path with defined skills and knowledge will help you reach heights.
To know your best suitable career option, take up expert advice and career assessment. It’s never too late for a new beginning.