Footwear Design and Construction - Intensive

Program Overview

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Introduction:

On this practical course you’ll learn the basics of design and construction techniques to create flat sandals, high heeled open toe mules or heeled slingback sandals.

You’ll be introduced to the technical aspects of footwear construction and its components, from the pattern cutting process to creating a finished pair of shoes with the perfect fit.

This course is for anyone who has a personal or professional interest in footwear who would like to develop the knowledge and skills needed to produce their own made-to-measure shoes.

Using creative teaching techniques and clear, step-by-step guidance you’ll unravel the process of shoe making, a skill that’s traditionally thought of as difficult to master.

As your technical making skills progress, you’ll develop your understanding of the design process to create your own patterns to continue making shoes after the course.

With only six places offered, this course provides you with one-to-one attention to ensure you leave with the skills and knowledge to continue shoe making as part of your profession or purely for personal enjoyment.

You’ll leave with your own pair of flat sandals and heeled open toes mules or heeled slingback sandals.

By the end of the course you will also have the skills and technical notes to design and construct your own projects and continue making after the course.

A certificate of attendance will be awarded upon completion of the course.

Program Outline

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What you’ll study

On this course, you will:

* be introduced to women’s footwear construction techniques

* understand the terminology used in the footwear industry

* Develop an understanding of how to use footwear tooling

* learn the pattern making process and use your pattern to make a pair of shoes

* check the fit and design of your pattern

* learn how to add a lining, sole, insock and heel

* develop stitching skills to create your uppers and practice hand lasting

* select the most appropriate materials for your designs

* complete your shoes with the right finishes, incorporating different materials and trims.

You will be provided will all the tools and materials you will need to create your shoes.

Materials and pre-course reading

Please bring with you to the first day:

a note book and pen

a camera to record your processes

an A4 file to take home your pattern pieces

any materials you may wish to recycle and incorporate into your shoes.

If you’d like to do some pre-course reading, you can look at:

Fashionary shoe design handbook, this is a great introduction to key design tips.

Vintage shoes by Caroline Cox, good for anyone with an interest in ladies footwear, it's a great overview of footwear history.

Footwear news is a great website that covers everything from business to trends.

Refinery 29 is another website for latest trends and inspiration.

Shoelust, is a never ending blog of shoes and there is such a variety! This is one of your tutor Laura’s all-time favourite websites for ladies footwear.

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How you’re taught

Tutor profile: Laura Lynchehan

is a footwear designer with over 10 years of experience in design and construction.

She has a degree in Footwear Design from De Montfort University and has worked across nearly every footwear category for high street retailers including Kurt Geiger, Schuh, River Island and New look.

Laura is also a technician in the fashion department at NTU and is passionate about creating beautiful shoes and sharing her experience with others.

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Campus and facilities

You will be based in the Bonington building at the City Campus, our dedicated art and design hub.

You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the leather and accessory design studios.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

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