How to Design Shoes

More and more people are trying to learn how to design shoes as it is turning out to be quite a lucrative venture, that also provides creative satisfaction along the way. People familiar with the fashion industry are well aware of the importance of shoes in the market, and the kind of customer base that a well designed shoe is capable of exploiting. The best shoe designers can lend their original creativity and designs to the shoes they design and sell them for a large profit.

The main thing to take into consideration when one is learning how to design shoes is that the shoe must look stylish, fashionable and trendy, and not lose its comfort value in any circumstance. Simply designing a shoe that looks good is not enough, as the comfort of the shoe is far more important than its look. The purpose for which the shoe is made should be remembered at all times and this should be the primary factor that influences the design of the shoe.

Foot Anatomy
A person, who is setting out to learn how to make shoes, should first and foremost be aware and comfortable with the anatomy of the human foot. Though, the basic shape of a foot remains the same from person to person, there are many underlying subtle differences that need to be accounted for. The design of a shoe should be such that, it does not restrict or hamper the movement of the individual in any way. In fact, it should enhance the movement. One may never learn how to design shoes properly by overlooking this fundamental factor.

When a person places their feet on the ground it is the heel and the ball of the foot that takes the weight of the entire body. A footprint gives a clear indication of which part takes the most weight. As such, the shoe must be designed to enhance the ability of these parts of the feet to bear the body's weight. Additionally, if the shoe is designed for the purpose of running or sports, the majority of the weight falls on the ball of the foot and then it is transferred to its hill. So the designs will obviously vary as well. Knowing, how to design shoes based on the anatomy of the foot and confirming with the purpose for which they will be used, is an absolutely imperative thing for someone who is designing shoes, or is setting out to do so. This is a must, even if, your objective is to know how to make your own shoes.

How to Design Shoes?
There are a few options for someone wishing to take up a formal mode of study for designing shoes. Though, there are very few schools that actually offer shoe design as an area of study, you can be assured that the exclusivity of these schools ensures that their courses are very well reputed and valuable, not to mention expensive as well. Most fashion schools include courses on how to make shoes as a part of their curriculum of fashion designing and merchandise and accessory designing. You will probably need to move to a city where the fashion industry is thriving to really earn the big bucks as a shoe designer. Here are a few fashion schools that do offer courses on shoe designing.

• Istituto Europeo di Design - Italy and Spain
• Polimoda - Florence, Italy
• London College of Fashion - London
• The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising - California
• The Fashion Institute of Technology - New York
• De Montfort University - Leicester, England

If you do not wish to take up this hobby as a full-time profession then you can even design shoes online. There are a number of websites that allow you to do this, using a variety of software and applications. With the aid of these you can learn how to design shoes as a part-time hobby, and if you market them well you can eventually turn it into a full-fledged profession as well.

Most people think that shoe designers are only concerned with fashion. Fashion or design shoes for yourself and see that there is much more to this art. Shoes have been around for many centuries, and you should not need any proof about their popularity and the fascination that people have with stylish and comfortable footwear. Learn, how to design shoes and fulfill all your creative urges by doing so.