RESEARCH
Every journey begins with curiosity, and mine started with a simple question:
“How do you design a shoe?”
I dove headfirst into the world of shoe design, following creators like Chris Dixon on Instagram and uncovering gems like Pensole Academy. While COVID halted classes at Pensole, I didn’t stop there. My research led me to The Sneaker Factory, a resource that offered a treasure trove of information. After verifying the author on LinkedIn, I purchased their books and started laying the groundwork for turning my dream into reality.
This phase wasn’t just about inspiration—it was about discovering the tools that would set me up for success.
DESIGN & PRACTICE
I began my mornings with a ritual: sketching my dream shoe.
I drew, erased, and redrew, pulling inspiration from some of my all-time favorite designs:
- The Nike Air MAG
- The Air Yeezy
- The 2008 Kobe Hyperdunk
- The A.I. The Answer 10
These icons helped me refine the vision for my shoe—its shape, its identity, its soul.
But it wasn’t just about aesthetics. Each line, each curve, each layer had to tell a story. It took days of trial and error to reach something that finally felt right.
SOFTWARE & TECH PACKS
I quickly learned that creating a shoe wasn’t just about sketching—it was about precision.
Enter Photoshop, my most valuable tool.
To make a shoe manufacturable, I had to translate my sketches into a tech pack—a detailed blueprint that outlined every aspect of the design. Here’s how I approached it:
- Layer by layer, I traced each part of the shoe in Photoshop.
- I isolated the layers to experiment with colors and materials.
- I labeled every detail, from the outsole to the stitching, ensuring my manufacturer could interpret the design.
Lesson learned: Every piece matters, and the clearer your vision, the closer you are to making it real.
MANUFACTURER
Finding a manufacturer was a challenge in itself.
Most U.S.-based companies weren’t an option for an independent designer like me. So, I turned my focus overseas, cold-calling and searching for leads. After a week of relentless research, I found a manufacturer in Hong Kong willing to create samples.
Taking this step was intimidating, but with some help from a family friend who verified the company in person, I gained the confidence to move forward.
SAMPLES
There’s no better feeling than seeing your idea come to life.
When I held my first prototype, it felt like witnessing a dream materialize. Adjustments were inevitable—like swapping out the outsole for something more production-friendly—but those challenges only made the process more rewarding.
This was it. The first step toward creating something I could share with the world.
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