Shoes today mean more than just footwear. With growing demand, the scope of work for a footwear technologist has also become wider. A footwear technologist not only designs footwear product according to fashion trends but also decides on the materials to be used.
According to a study titled Indian Footwear Industry: An Analysis released by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, the sector growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 15%, is likely to touch approximately Rs. 38,700 crore this year from the current level of around Rs. 22,000 crore.
Familiarity with the fashion industry, illustration skills, broad knowledge of textiles, leather and materials and an understanding of shoe engineering are some of the basic skills for becoming a shoe technologist.
Proficiency with computer-assisted design programmes and modelling software is also considered to be an asset in this profession.