[ed] So Clem how did you get started way back when.

I have always been designing - back since I was 6 (!) and have done various art/design courses at various colleges along the way. In 2003 I decided to “go into shoes” and studied “Footwear for Fashion Production” at Cordwainers, London. During our end of course show, I was contacted by HR at Pentland and was given the opportunity to take a place in the Design Pool - a unit set-up within Pentland HQ, that takes on graduates and helps them develop their skills through briefs/projects set by the brands within the Pentland umbrella. One of my first projects was actually for Brasher and after 6 months in the Design Pool, I was offered a design position within the Brasher team. My role started out in outdoor footwear, but more recently I have taken over the design of all Lifestyle/Travel product. I’ve been here now 4 and 1/2 years.
The outdoor industry can be challenging to work in, but alot of what makes it challenging is also what makes it interesting ... and enjoyable! You don’t just deal with the aesthetics, the styling, the colours - you are responsible for each product inside and out, to be functional, comfortable, fit for use, cost-efficient, on brand… plus all that goes with giving it the right shelf appeal! On top of all that you also have to take into account feedback from consumers, retailers, sales etc… Factories, product developers, bosses! etc etc… There’s alot of juggling - its not always always easy - there are hurdles… but rarely a dull moment! And where else can you disappear into the wilderness and it be part of your job!

Clem

[ed]
Brasher is one of the UKs leading footwear brands and their blog is pretty good.

http://blog.brasher.co.uk/blog/articles

More details on footwear courses here