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Shoe design returning to Boston as a niche industry
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When you think of startups in Boston, you generally think of technology companies and bio-tech firms, but recently there's been a resurgence of shoe design and shoe manufacturing startups in the Boston area. While Boston is already home to major shoe brands including Reebok, Converse, New Balance, and Keds, recently, several new companies are also starting operations in the area. The Boston Globe chronicled several shoe startups in the area. One company, Forsake, created a line of waterproof sneakers that can endure the same natural elements as boots. Its founders explained to the source that they sought to capture a particular segment of the shoe-buying population with a highly tailored offering.
"We wanted to create a footwear option for young people that don't identify with hiking boots, but still live this outdoor style," Sam Barstow, the 24-year-old mastermind behind the business, told the Globe.
The Boston Boot Co. is another small brand that opened after its founders discovered a niche need neglected by larger brands. According to the company's website, the boots are specifically for Bostonians, as the shoe's craft matches the rugged terrain of the city.
Justin Kittredge, the former director of basketball products for footwear at Reebok, left his company to found his own shoe design business, iSlide. The iSlide shoes are sports sandals that can be customized using the customer's choice of graphics.
Using digital tools for shoe design
Digital tools are invaluable resources for professionals working in shoe design. They provide a virtual platform, create concepts, mock-up, render, and finalize creations for production. Common digital tools in shoe design include Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. While creating shoe designs may appear difficult, courses offered at American Graphics Institute can provide you with the skills you need in order to succeed. Shoe designers can take advantage of the latest innovations design software has to offer, including Adobe Photoshop's ability to support 3-D objects and Illustrator's capacity for sketching and coloring new designs. Courses offered by AGI include Adobe Illustrator for Shoe and Footwear Design Training Classes and Photoshop training for shoe developers.