FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTANT

CV

 

RWD footwear design consultant

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MAY 2021 - PRESENT

 

Footwear design consultant providing an end-to-end service that is founded on three key pillars: design strategy, conceptual thinking, and concept delivery. Our approach emphasizes the importance of creating a clear and brand-relevant narrative that reflects the brand's DNA, culture, and target audience, in order to produce truly unique products. Through our extensive working method, we are able to apply rigorous and iterative sketching process to seamlessly integrate the narrative into the physical product design. With over 15 years of experience in the industry and strong relationships with factories in Portugal, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan, we are equipped to bring concepts to life with flawless execution, ensuring a smooth transition from concept to reality.

Clients

  • adidas by stella mccartney

  • adidas originals

  • puma motorsport

  • LANVIN

  • gales+

  • KARHU

  • SUPERGA

  • FILA

  • Design strategy and Creative direction that focuses on narrative led design

  • Concept generation through rigorous and iterative sketch process

  • Concept delivery through 15 years of extensive manufacturing knowledge and factory partnerships


CONVERSE

GLOBAL FOOTWEAR DESIGN DIRECTOR BASKETBALL

MAY 2019 - May 2021

SENIOR DESIGNER SPECIAL PROJECTS

OCTOBER 2017 - MAY 2019

Global design director and lead designer for performance basketball. Hired to build a new basketball design team and launch Converse Basketball into the market after a 10 year hiatus. Heavily contributed to the design strategy for the range outlining the key design language and performance solves.

Highlight Projects

  • G4 PERFORMANCE SHOE - LEAD DESIGNER

  • BB PRO EVO PERFORMANCE SHOE - LEAD DESIGNER

  • AS BB JET - LEAD DESIGNER

  • Close collaboration with Nike NXT innovation team on technology and best practice

  • Created a strategic design language to highlight the brand on and off the court

  • Worked with key NBA athletes (Kelly Oubre Jnr, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Natasha Cloud, Draymond Green)

  • Helped build a dedicated Basketball team


ADIDAS

FOOTWEAR DESIGNER GLOBAL FOOTBALL

OCTOBER 2014 - SEPTEMBER 2017

FOOTWEAR DESIGNER MENS ORIGINALS

APRIL 2011 - SEPTEMBER 2014

Footwear designer for global football and Originals business units working across performance cleated/non cleated and lifestyle footwear.

Highlight Projects

  • X17 AND X18 FOOTBALL BOOT SILO - LEAD DESIGNER

  • Steven Gerrard signature Predator Instinct - LEAD DESIGNER

  • Messi Ballon 5TH D'Or WIN CELEBRATION EditioN - LEAD DESIGNER

  • Nigo X ORIGINALS - Lead designer

  • Pharrell Williams X ORIGINALS - Lead designer FIRST signature shoe

  • Advanced material and construction work (HF welding, HM welding, primeknit, techfit)

  • Advanced tooling design and development (TPR, TPU, PU Casting and BOOST)

  • 2D/3D Creation and modification

  • Seasonal Travel (Inspiration, Focus Groups and Product Testing)

  • Seasonal Creative Direction input

  • Input into seasonal material stories and selection

  • Creation and development of advanced concepts

  • Cross category collaborations

  • Seasonal development travel (Asia)

  • Material supplier collaboration


LE COQ SPORTIF

JNR FOOTWEAR DESIGNER

JUNE 2009 - AUGUST 2010

Designing lifestyle and performance footwear for Le Coq Sportif International in Paris. Working on briefed and non briefed projects from research phase to production.

• Market and trend research
• Ideation and sketch development
• Material and Colour direction
• Prototype development (Internally, Asia and Europe)
• Final production specification


WGSN

FREELANCE TREND CONTRIBUTOR

JANUARY 2007 - JUNE 2009

Compiled a bi-monthly report for the sneaker market, highlighting key trends in sport and lifestyle.

• Attending product launches, gallery openings and store previews
• Realising new trends
• Colour and Material trends
• Editorial skills


PUMA

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

AUGUST 2007 - JUNE 2009

Product development and design for the Black Station footwear division responsible for the delivery of high end Puma footwear including Rudolf Dassler Schuhfabrik, Mihara Yasuhiro for Puma, The Black Label and Alexander McQueen for Puma. Working with the best material suppliers and factories in Italy.

• Market and trend research for the senior design team
• Assisting in the design of inline product
• Material and Colour direction assistance
• Special projects and special make up assignments


UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD

AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN BA[HONS]

AUGUST 2003 - JUNE 2007

Member of the Automotive design class of 2003. Graduating with a 2:1 with honors and professional enhancement, completing a one year internship with British Sport Car brand TVR in Blackpool.

• Built fundamental sketch and rendering skills
• 2D and 3D modeling
• Conceptualisation and story telling
• Engineering and development

 

© 2022 Richard Ward Design