Footwear Technologist Overview

If you want to divert people's attention from their faces to their feet you got to be a footwear technologist. You could be a designer or in the manufacturing wing. Interested in learning more about this profession? Read on…

There are various categories of footwear - those made from leather, synthetic material and other fibers. Since all humans differ in their sizes and tastes, a shoe manufacturer and footwear technologist need to keep in mind different needs and wants - shoes for men, women, children, formal shoes, casual shoes, trekking shoes, sports shoes and so on. As you can imagine, the list of different styles of shoes is endless.

If you wish to become a footwear technologist, you should be aware of the fact that in India, we have both the organized and unorganized sector in the shoe manufacturing industry. In the organized sector, shoe manufacturers use sophisticated machinery and skilled manpower. Here, shoe manufacturing is a highly mechanized process. This sector comes under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce, which has set up institutes to help expand footwear production and export.

On the other hand, we have the unorganized sector like the village sector where the work is handled by the state level artisans. They form a part of the Khadi and village industries cooperatives.

There are also other players in the private sector that deal with the production and export of footwear, in collaboration with international contacts.

The functions carried out in a footwear industry can be classified into:

Designing: If you intend to become a footwear technologist, you need to know that this branch of footwear industry is purely for the creative brains. It involves creating new styles and patterns, of footwear. The job of footwear designers today has gone high tech as they use computer aided design systems to churn out beautiful footwear. If footwear designers had their way and dress the feet in their creations, we'd be looking at people's feet rather then at their faces. Footwear designer are faced with the constant challenge of coming up with new styles to adorn our feet.

Manufacturing: After the design comes the actual process of making the footwear. It has become a mechanized process where skilled technicians are required to operate the machines. As a footwear technologist if you happen to work for a sports shoe manufacturer like Nike or Reebok your main task will be to design shoes for the competitive athlete.

Marketing: Here you'll be involved in selling various types of shoes to the various retail outlets. Knowledge of the domestic and international market will hold you in good stead. As a footwear technologist will also be involved in organizing shoe fairs and exhibitions in and around India. Marketing managers generally work with advertising agencies to work out marketing strategies. 

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