A degree is not obligatory, but those who earn a 2-year or 4-year degree in fashion design or fine art may find themselves better positioned to enter the competitive field of footwear design. General coursework includes fashion history, industrial design, shoe engineering and fashion merchandising. Because footwear designers often work independently, a solid education in business and marketing is
also important, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Skills Required
A grasp of fashion trends is essential, as is a thorough understanding of the industrial design and manufacturing process. Footwear designers must also have artistic skills like drawing, an eye for color and knowledge of textures and fabrics. Skill with computer-aided design (CAD) programs is increasingly important in a digital marketplace. Because shoes often perform particular functions (such as running shoes), a grasp of podiatry and biomechanics is also useful for footwear designers. Career Outlook
Staff positions as footwear designers are available but scarce according to the BLS, so many shoe designers focus on building freelance careers which can be parlayed into starting new footwear design companies. A 3% decline in general fashion design positions was projected by the BLS, from 2012-2022. Pay is highly inconsistent depending on the footwear designer's level of experience, reputation and target market, but a high income is possible. To give some idea of income in general, fashion designers
