·
5 to 6 hours
HD·LA·05 Advanced

Footwear Design II: Materials & Manufacturing

From upper material to sole compound, at production scale.

This second footwear course covers material selection for uppers, soles, and linings, and the manufacturing processes that turn a construction method into a consistent, scalable production line. It builds directly on Footwear Design I's construction fundamentals.

Last updated

In Development

This course's full module content is being written. The outline below is final, subscribe for updates when it publishes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. 01 Select appropriate materials for uppers, linings, and soles
  2. 02 Compare sole compounds for durability, grip, and comfort trade-offs
  3. 03 Understand footwear manufacturing processes at production scale
  4. 04 Apply quality control standards specific to footwear production
  5. 05 Evaluate material and manufacturing choices for cost and durability trade-offs
  6. 06 Cross-reference construction methods from Footwear Design I into material and manufacturing decisions
01

Upper & Lining Materials

Upper materials must balance durability, breathability, and flexibility against the foot's constant movement, a mismatch here is one of the most common causes of footwear discomfort.
01 ▶ present
02

Sole Compounds: Durability, Grip & Comfort

Sole compound selection trades off durability, traction, and cushioning, optimising purely for one, such as maximum durability, often sacrifices the others.
02 ▶ present
03

Manufacturing Processes at Scale

Footwear manufacturing at production volume requires processes, injection moulding of soles, automated stitching, that differ significantly from the handcraft methods covered in Footwear Design I.
03 ▶ present
04

Quality Control in Footwear Production

Footwear quality control must check fit consistency, bonding strength, and material defects across a production run, inconsistency here directly causes returns and injury complaints.
04 ▶ present
05

Cost & Durability Trade-offs in Production

Material and manufacturing cost savings often come directly at the expense of durability, this trade-off should be made transparently and deliberately, not hidden in a spec sheet.
05 ▶ present
06

Evaluating Material & Manufacturing Choices

A rigorous footwear evaluation traces cost, durability, and comfort back to specific material and manufacturing decisions, rather than judging only the finished product's appearance.
06 ▶ present