Footwear designer
Also known as: men's footwear designer, footwear designer and developer, footwear stylist, women's footwear designer, footwear CAD technical designer, shoe stylist
About this occupation
Footwear designers perform fashion trends analysis, forecasting and market research, create footwear concepts and build collection lines by operating mood or concept boards, colour palettes, materials, drawings and sketches etc. They conduct the sampling process, make footwear prototypes and samples for presentations aimed to promoting the footwear concepts and collections. They identify the range of materials and components, define the design specifications by collaborating with the technical team and review the footwear samples, prototypes, and collections.
A specialisation of fashion designer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- develop footwear and leather goods marketing plans
- work in textile manufacturing teams
- footwear manufacturing technology
- footwear components
- footwear quality
- ergonomics in footwear and leather goods design
- footwear and leather goods marketing planning
- apply fashion trends to footwear and leather goods
- footwear creation process
- use IT tools
- make technical drawings of fashion pieces
- develop footwear collection
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Fashion Designers (O*NET 27-1022.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
- Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
- Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Realistic, Enterprising
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination
US median pay: US$80,960 a year (2025), 21,450 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.4)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.1)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
- Commercial and Industrial Designers
- Craft Artists
- Graphic Designers
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
- Costume Attendants
- Interior Designers
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Sewers, Hand
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.