Sole Studies by @quispedesign (Virtual)

This comprehensive five-week workshop is designed to introduce participants to the foundational concepts and practical applications of performance footwear design, with a special focus on midsole and outsole engineering. Throughout this course, you will develop a deep understanding of how athletic footwear components work together to support human movement, enhance athletic performance, protect the foot from injury, and deliver the distinctive feel that makes each shoe unique. By combining hands-on learning experiences with technical analysis, detailed sketching exercises, and comprehensive material studies, participants will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to conceptualize functional and visually compelling tooling designs that meet real-world performance requirements.

Who Should Enroll:

This workshop is ideal for beginner-to-intermediate design students and anyone with a strong interest in sports performance footwear design. No prior experience with footwear design or engineering is necessary. Whether you are exploring this field for the first time or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, this course provides an accessible entry point into the world of athletic shoe design and development.

Learning Goals and Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive overview of midsoles and outsoles in modern sports performance footwear
• Understand the complete design process as it is applied by leading sports brands and manufacturers
• Apply acquired knowledge through hands-on design studies, including sketching, material analysis, and physical prototyping
• Create a professional portfolio piece that demonstrates your design capabilities and thinking process for those pursuing careers in design and innovation

What You Will Receive:

• Physical midsole and outsole samples for detailed analysis and hands-on prototyping work
• Tooling blueprint templates in both digital and printed formats to guide your design concepts
• Optional opportunity to purchase modeling clay externally for participants interested in sculpting three-dimensional tooling designs

Weekly Course Breakdown

Week 1: Fundamentals of Foot Movement and Tooling Systems

• Introduction to the course, expectations, and learning framework
• How midsole and outsole systems support natural foot movement and performance
• Overview of general molding methods and manufacturing logic in footwear production
• Examination of tooling components found in modern performance shoes
• Assignment: Select a specific design problem you wish to solve and bring an existing shoe to class that addresses your chosen problem (either a physical product or high-quality images)

Week 2: Exploring Contemporary Tooling Materials and Technologies

• Comprehensive overview of modern midsole and outsole compounds, including EVA, PU, TPU, PEBA, and various rubbers
• Understanding how different compounds behave and their specific applications in footwear
• The role of midsole materials in establishing brand identity and telling a brand story
• Student presentations of their selected design problems with constructive feedback from instructors and peers
• Assignment: Create an initial concept board incorporating visual references and tooling design inspirations

Week 3: Tooling Construction and Design Development

• In-depth study of how complete tooling systems are constructed, including multiple midsole layers, outsoles, and support plates
• Detailed anatomy of traction patterns, sidewall design, and strategic plate placement
• Student presentations of concept boards with instructor and peer feedback sessions
• Demonstration of multiple ideation techniques, including traditional sketching, 3D prototyping, and emerging AI-assisted design tools
• Assignment: Develop two or more tooling design concepts, carefully considering compound selection and construction methods

Week 4: Design Process Deep Dive and Studio Development

• Instruction on effective presentation techniques, including storytelling, highlighting key design features, and articulating tooling concepts in professional design reviews
• Presentation and critique of initial tooling design ideas with guidance from instructors and feedback from peers
• Dedicated studio work time where the majority of class time is devoted to refining your designs
• Assignment: Refine your strongest tooling design concept using the provided blueprint template

Week 5: Final Presentations and Course Closure

• Final presentations of completed tooling designs with comprehensive peer and instructor critique
• Group discussion on the process of translating two-dimensional designs into three-dimensional physical samples
• Time for final refinements and reflections on your design journey and next steps in your design career