When you talk of designers, names like Satya Paul, Ritu Berri or others flash in your mind. Gone are those days when designing was mere a tailoring profession and people did not look good as a career option but today times have changed. Designers are 'in' and designing is much sought after career option, but people automatically assume it to mean a fashion designer. There is so much to explore in this field like jewelry designing or even footwear designing. But every time people hear 'footwear designer' there are either awkward silences or vapid smiles. One of the reasons could be that there's not much glamour attached to it. Not many can understand that shoes don't grow on trees. The shoes that we all wear have to be designed, manufactured, tested and passed before they get to the shelves of your favorite shoe shop. The shoe industry has a whole lot of designers, technologists, researchers, in fact a lagoon of trained personnel. There are so many factors to be considered before a pair can meet consumer approval.

You have to be trained like in other fields in designing. You can get footwear designer with diploma from Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI). Footwear designing is a not much explored field so opportunities are many as it is a novel concept. This not only satisfies your creative urges but also make you involved with a less common field. The whole concept is very different and a great profession to be part of.

SELECTION
The selection procedure requires a candidate to undergo an all-India selection test, which consists of a written test, a group discussion and a personal interview. The required educational qualification is 10+2 for diploma courses and graduation for the post-graduate diploma in footwear technology and management. It takes 18 months to complete the course.

LEARNING
Over here you are made to learn the ABC of footwear including the soul or the design or the heels etc. In the final semester you go through industrial training. The course covers the entire footwear manufacture technology, right from the concept to turning out the finished product. The course prepares you thoroughly for the job with 70 per cent practical training and 30 per cent theory.

THE WORK
As a designer, your job is to take the concept from the idea stage to the product stage. First, ideas are developed based on trends and consumer research, then, the material is selected, followed by pattern cutting and getting the range approved from the marketing department for the production. While designing you have given it a three-dimensional look to know what the final product will look like.

More and more women are coming into the profession. Though it is difficult to bracket a designer's salary rate, the starting pay is usually Rs 8,000 per month. After that it depends on one's performance. It's a challenging area and a highly creative profession. The prospects are endless.