Footwear Designer

The purpose of the Occupational Certificate: Footwear Designer is to prepare the learner to operate as a Footwear Designer. A Footwear Designer conceptualises, designs, develops footwear and related products for manufacture, and prepares footwear designs and specifications of footwear products for mass, batch and once-off production. A qualified learner will be able to: • Research footwear design concepts and the market to determine the financial viability of a footwear product. • Conceptualise footwear designs to address the market need and rethink the footwear design concept based on feedback received by reapplying the processes if necessary. • Produce footwear samples (sample manufacturing) and manufacturing and technical specifications to ensure design specifications are met and maintained during bulk production processes.

The process of footwear manufacturing starts with a Footwear design that is feasible, cost effective and simultaneously novel, and aesthetically appealing to the target market. Footwear Designers conceptualise, create and showcase shoe designs for a variety of markets, designing shoes for particular ages, genders, careers or environments, footwear for senior citizens, women, nurses and rock-climbing are just a few examples. Many Footwear Designers will specialise in designing certain types of footwear, such as boots, athletic shoes, dress shoes, or sandals. Footwear designers must grasp fashion trends, as well as a thorough understanding of the industrial design and manufacturing process. They apply artistic skills like drawing, an eye for colour and knowledge of textures and fabrics when developing different types of footwear. A grasp of podiatry and biomechanics is also required because shoes often perform particular functions (such as running shoes), a grasp of podiatry and biomechanics is also required. Full-time footwear designers can find employment with corporate shoe manufacturers, retailers and boutique footwear design companies, but could also pursue freelance work or entrepreneurial ventures. Footwear manufacturing companies will benefit from artistic, creative footwear designers and the development of novel and aesthetically appealing summer and winter footwear ranges which set the trend and are becoming internationally competitive.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 4 with Communication and Mathematical Literacy. Or • 4 years of experience as a Footwear Designer. Or • 5 years of experience as a Footwear pattern engineer.

• Interpret a design brief and research market (price, demand, fashion, trends, customer profile), manufacturing ability and costing of the Footwear Design concept and analyse information to determine the viability of the footwear product.
• Assess the creative and artistic ability in the Footwear Design concept and transfer creativity onto paper by producing a Footwear Design concept and constructing a prototype.
• Justify the Footwear Design concept within parameters (base, market demand, manufacturing capability, and cost) and present to the internal or external customer.
• Compile design specifications for the manufacturing of the footwear indicating materials, components and manufacturing processes and present to production for manufacturing.