CHRISTOPHER NEWMAN-SMART

Footwear Designer & Developer

A highly dynamic FOOTWEAR DESIGNER & DEVELOPER with a key eye for merging trends with innovative and creative designs. Experienced in low, mid and high-end footwear markets. Able to work on own initiative or in a cohesive team. Strong hand & CAD drawing skills.  My success is created via hard work and determination, obstacles are transformed into achievements.

Technical Skills:

• Literate in Adobe and Microsoft packages
• Strong technical design skills
• Strong hand drawing skills
• Excellent understanding of constructions, shape and colour
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes

FREELANCE FOOTWEAR DESIGNER & DEVELOPER – Food4thasole – London, UK

Role: Footwear Designer, January 2015 – Present, PT

I design and develop footwear across mens/womens / Junior & preschool boys for Global and start up brands.

• Create detailed Trend reports for various departments
• Create key Critical paths to ensure all dates are being met
• Working remotely or onsite
• Developed mood, trend and directional boards for range
• Create commercial viable footwear both by hand and  CAD across mens women's & kids
• Design creative graphics and prints
• Visiting various suppliers to  find  trendy materials and outsoles
• Explore new tooling for mens womens and kids
• Create detailed tech packs for factories
• Develop footwear from 1st prototype to final sample, taking devlopment trips when needed or asked
• Work with different teams to support the workload

GLOBAL BRANDS GROUP - A member of the Fung group

https://www.globalbrandsgroup.com

Role: Footwear and Accessories designer, October 2017 - December 2019, FT

I designed and develope footwear and accessories across various global markets.

• ​Design direction
• Created seasonal trends, colour palettes and silhouettes for  footwear and accessories areas.
• Responding to fashion trends and inspiration, interpreting them into commercial products suitable for the high street customer dependant on customer brief.
• Created new and creative graphic prints
• Bring new and innovative ideas to enhance the GBG Footwear business.
• Created seasonal footwear collections for a specialized Seasonal Collection Books.
• Work with designers and developers in China on the sampling and development of seasonal ranges.

FOOTSOLDIERS DESIGN CONSULTANCY LTD (LONDON) –  Design Consultancy based in Shoreditch.

http://thefootsoldiers.com

Role: Footwear Designer, Jan 2013 – Jan 2015, FT

My Role within a team of 9 designers was to design and develop footwear ranges for Global Companies within various catergories that include Sports Lifestyle, Highstreet, Performance, Fashion, Back to school,  Casual and High End. I designed  across mens, womens and kids.

• Work closely with Clients to Build footwear lines and catergories across mens, womens and kids
• Develop key trends and develop into marketable products with unique design flair
• Create detailed CAD’s for various designs
• Design footwear direction for global trend leader ‘WGSN’
• Create detailed tech packs for factories
• Develop footwear from 1^st prototype to final sample
• Communicate with factories to make sure designs are adered to and cost effective

LE COQ SPORTIF (FRANCE)/ MESH01 –  mesh01 is a co-creative platform which links global brands to designers.

Role: Freelance footwear Designer, Nov –Dec 2013, FT

I designed a new concept for SS15 Mens Urban Fixed Gear Cycling.

• Developed mood, trend and directional boards
• Incorporated New and exciting  colour stories
• Illustrated detailed CAD’S
• Created detailed tech packs including outsole tooling

KRUEL LONDON- New Start-up Footwear Company Based in New York/ LA USA

Role: Freelance Footwear Designer & developer, Feb 2013 –Present, PT

My Role within a team of four  was to  create a new innovative  luxury womens footwear line produced in Italy.

• Created mood, trend and directional boards
• Develop a full product line consisting of flats, pumps, courts, mules strappy sandals and knee high boots
• Design logo
• Illustrated detailed CAD’S
• Designed a global patent for a new and innovative heel
• Detailed tech packs for precise Italian manufacturing
• Take development trips to Italy to develop samples, make changes where necessary

KOPPEN (USA) MESH01 – mesh01 is a co-creative platform which links global brands to designers.

Role: Freelance footwear Designer, Nov –Dec 2012, FT

Worked on new categories for the KOPPEN female consumer.

• Designed a series of cold weather boots for KOPPEN Fall13 ‘Take on Today’ consumer
• Incorporated strong fashion trends with crucial design flair
• Designed detail CADS and tech packs
• Worked closely with the factories to ensure designs are adjured too

FIELD AND STREAM (USA)/ MESH01 – mesh01 is a co-creative platform which links global brands to designers.

Role: Freelance footwear Designer, Sep-Nov 2012, FT

Designed a rugged, lightwieght field-hunting range that appealed to the passionate sportsman who is looking to remain agile while out on the hunt.

• Designed a range which combined the brands DNA with  fresh  updates
• Add additional SMU’s for various regions
• Created  all line art

UNDER ARMOUR (USA)/ MESH01  - mesh01 is a co-creative platform which links global brands to designers.

Role: Freelance footwear Designer, feb-march 2012, FT

I was given the task of designing UA’S (Under Armour’s) entry into the womens outdoor industry.

• I created and introduced the ultimate winter comfort range for the Under Armour women’s consumer for fall 13
• Created all line art for fatory production
• Made adjustments to various designs for easy production and cost

UGG AUSTRALIA (UK/USA) -

Role: Product Coordinator, July 10 – Jan 12, FT 

I was working closely with US product team while on placement year. This role was created for UGG Australia European office after my graduation

• Role included creating monthly product reports for UGG Australia product team
• Monthly trips across Europe either on my own or with PLM’S to various markets for research into trends and potential growth
• I launched all seasonal products across Europe from SS09
• Worked with various European teams on product education and strategy

Playing basketball is a strong hobby of mine.  I enjoy going to design museums and hanging out with friends. I like Surfing the net for fashion trends and overall style. I keep a blog for all the inspiration I find, I’m inspired everyday, Small things in life are all I need. Musically I listen to anything that has a cool and catchy beat, it has to be live as well, especially in the summertime. I’m easy to get on with, always smiling and positive. I’m your guy a team player someone that will add value and a different dynamic.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Finalist in ‘Future of footwear competition’ (MESH01.COM) chosen out of 642 designers worldwide. (June 2012)
• 1st place in the Under Armour: Women's Ultimate Winter comfort Range selected out of 120 designers worldwide. (Nov 2012)
• 1st place in the Koppen: Women's Cold Weather Boot Project selected out of 101 designers worldwide. (Nov 2012)
• Selected to attend first ever ‘IPENSOLE CLASS’ – An Online Class created by Dwayne Edwards former Jordan brand Design Director (Dec 2012)
• Mesh01 ‘’ Top Ten Footwear Designers for 2012’’ (Jan 2013) –Selected out of a pool of 5000 footwear designers worldwide

London College of Fashion ‘Cordwainers Footwear and Design’ (LONDON) - Sep 06 – July 2010: BA Honors in Footwear & Development.

Hackney Community College (LONDON) – Sep 05 – July 06; Foundation in art and design; grade distinction.

Max the Mutt Animation School (CANADA) – Sept 02 – Apr 03; Visual arts literacy certificate.

Paint Branch high school (USA) – Sept 97 – Jun 01; High School Diploma.

REFERENCE CAN BE GIVEN UPON REQUEST