Description

The manufacture of shoes may well have virtually disappeared abroad completely, but theNetherlands is still an important country for footwear. A considerable number of successful trading firms and chain stores take their own designs to market. In order to fulfil the demand for design talent, the 'Industrial Footwear Design' (IFD) course was developed in 2009.

The aim of IFD is to be a course that is generally accessible and that fits in well with the business world. What is unique about the course is the link to the footwear industry. IFD is primarily geared towards candidates with a creative background, with a higher vocational level of education being required. Once you have completed the course, your position as a junior footwear designer will be a surefooted one, providing you with a versatile and creative grounding for a career in the footwear industry. 

Lesson content
The course offers plenty of knowledge that cannot be acquired anywhere else in the Netherlands. During the weekly tuition days, all relevant subjects will be discussed and you will deal with: Industry expertise, Supervision of Production, Making collections, Footwearfashion expertise, How to make a collection, Communication, Footwear technology, Presentation, Drawing skills.
The course programme also includes visits to companies and/or trade shows at home and abroad. The costs for trips abroad are not included in the course fees. In addition to the lessons, the study load is at least 12 hours a week of theory and carrying out practical assignments.

Practical assignments
IFD offers talented students practically-oriented education through realistic assignments from renowned footwear brands. The shoe designs are made for and judged by clients from these firms. Owing to this direct relationship with the industry, it is always possible that a manufacturer will invite the designer to develop several designs to include these in its collection. Each student will leave the course with a professional portfolio of his/her own designs.

Teaching staff
Lessons are given by teachers with extensive and relevant experience in the industry. A variety of guest teachers are brought in from within theNetherlands and abroad to tackle specialist subjects.

Target group
The course level is higher vocational or above and IFD is open to students with a creative background. Due to the fact that there is space for twelve students, an admissions commission will run a selection process for all applications so as to select the most talented students. Further information on this can be found in the explanatory notes that accompany the application form.

Information

Duration
The course commences on the fourth Thursday in January and comprises around 24 tuition days: every Thursday from 2pm to 8.30pm with the exception of school holidays and dates of important footwear trade shows. We operate on the basis of 90% compulsory attendance.

Costs academic year 2011-2012 *
€ 5.200,-

Costs for teaching materials and trips within the Netherlands are included in this.
Lessons in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are offered separately at a price to be determined in due course.

Dates **
Option 1: This course starts on 20 September, 2012.

It is important that we receive your enrolment form and CV with supplementary information before the tenth of August, 2012. This is due to the intake interviews, which follows in August.
The enrolment form, the CV and supplementary information form can be obtained from us on request.

Option 2: This course starts on 10 January, 2013.

It is important that we receive your enrolment form and CV with supplementary information before the first of December, 2012. This is due to the intake interviews, which follows in December.
The enrolment form, the CV and supplementary information form can be obtained from us on request.

* subject to change
** subject to change an dsufficient enrolment