7.2.1. Design of footwear components from waste

Micro-credential: Design of footwear components from waste

Part of pathway / module: Fashion footwear and footwear components / 3D modelling of fashion shoe by additive 3D technologies

EQF level: 4-7

ECVET credits: 2

Mode of delivery: Online learning

Learning methods and duration: Lectures: 2 hours, exercises/laboratory works, individual study/project work: 45 hours, video experience: 2 hours, initial/final assessment: 1 hour.

Assessment methods:

  • Initial assessment: quiz
  • Formative assessment: individual or group subject-specific activity
  • Summative assessment: individual or group project, standardized test

General objective: The learner will be introduced to:

  • Concepts of Sustainability and Circular Economy
  • Material Processing and Conversion Techniques
  • Footwear Component Design

Timing: 1 October 2026 - 30 April 2027

Responsible institution: Tomas Bata University in Zlín (Czechia)

Contact: doc. Nabanita Saha, M.Sc. Ph.D., email: nabanita@utb.cz

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

After the completion of this module, learners will:
  • Understand the fundamental concepts of material composition in footwear.
  • Know the key principles and methodologies used to select the appropriate material for the production of a specific type of footwear.
  • Identify the main components of footwear and types of footwear according to the technological parameters of their production.

Skills

After the completion of this module, learners will be able to:
  • Apply appropriate methods to analyze suitable material composition.
  • Design and implement simple solutions or workflows to solve tasks related to footwear design.
  • Use relevant tools, techniques, or procedures in shoe manufacturing.

Competences

After the completion of this module, learners will:
  • Work independently and responsibly in solving tasks related to the design of suitable materials in shoe production.
  • Collaborate effectively with others to plan, implement and evaluate activities related to the organization of footwear production.
  • Communicate findings and justify proposed solutions in a technological context.
Content

Unit 1: Fundamentals of circular and sustainable design

  • Circulation of products and materials
  • Principles of Circular and Sustainable Design

Unit 2: Footwear components, shoemaking parts

  • Upper parts
  • Linning and inner parts
  • Bottom parts
  • Shoe classification

Unit 3: Classic materials for shoemaking

  • Leather manufacturing and processing stages
  • Leather classification
  • Valorization of tannery waste
  • Cellulose-based products and footwear boards
  • Natural textile fibers
  • Textile materials for shoe production
  • Strategies for optimizing production in the textile and leather industries
  • Circular approaches to footwear materials

Unit 4: Synthetic materials for shoe manufacturing

  • Polymeric materials, biopolymers
  • Thermoplastics and their uses
  • Elastomers, rubbers
  • Synthetic fibers
  • Functional membranes
  • Composite materials
  • Plastic waste management and recycling

Unit 5: Footwear structural design

  • General principles of footwear construction
  • Basics of court shoe/pump pattern construction
  • Construction of Oxford shoe patterns
  • Derby pattern construction
  • Other footwear pattern types

Unit 6 Footwear manufacturing processes 

  • Cutting processes in footwear manufacturing
  • Manufacturing processes for footwear bottom components (insoles, midsoles, heels, soles)
  • Upper manufacturing
  • Lasting process
  • Bottoming processes by construction method

Unit 7: Technical and economic preparation of production 

  • Technical design documentation
  • Manufacturing process documentation
  • Production planning, economic preparation
  • Teacher
    Tomas Saha