Micro-credential: Concept of sustainable footwear design
Thematic pathway: Leather and footwear in circula economy
Part of module: Footwear in circular economy
EQF level: 7
ECTS credits: 1
Learning methods and duration: Approximately 25 hours (10 hours of e-learning, 2 hours video experience, 12 hours work-based learning, 1 hours assesment)
Assessment methods: Formative assessment (quizzes, group works and activities). Summative assessment (projects and assignments).
General objective: The learner will be introduced to:
- foundational principles of sustainable footwear design
- the use of generative AI tools to create innovative early-stage footwear concepts
- the relationship between materials, environmental impact, and product lifecycles
- methods for evaluating the accuracy, technical feasibility, and sustainability of AI-generated concepts.
Enrollment:
Timing:
Responsible institution: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Contact person, email:
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
After the completion of this module, learners will:
• Understand principles of sustainable footwear design and circularity;
• Recognise material categories and environmental performance indicators relevant to footwear;
• Describe the role of generative AI in concept design workflows and early visual exploration.
Skills
After the completion of this module, learners will be able to:
• apply prompt engineering strategies to generate footwear concepts using AI tools;
• analyse AI-generated outputs based on functional requirements, material constraints, and sustainability criteria;
• develop structured visual concept narratives integrating both AI outputs and designerly decision-making.
• Critically evaluate AI results to ensure accuracy.
Competences
After the completion of this module, learners will:
• integrate sustainability principles and material intelligence into AI-supported design workflows;
• evaluate and select viable concept directions for further development or prototyping;
• communicate concept proposals effectively in a professional and interdisciplinary context.
