DMU Footwear Student looks forward to a dream career
A De Montfort University (DMU) student who graduated on Monday 19 July is looking forward to a dream career in sports footwear design after a work placement with sports giant Nike.
Footwear Design student and former professional footballer, Sam Pearce, won a national competition to represent the UK in PENSOLE USA, a prestigious fellowship programme held in partnership with the Sorrell Foundation.
The course is led by an acclaimed team of designers and guest speakers, including D’Wayne Edwards, Footwear Design Director at Nike Jordan Brand and founder of the PENSOLE USA programme.
Sam and 39 other students from across the world underwent a two week programme of tuition, covering everything from hand-drawing skills to materials design, colour theory and professional networking, including a trip to the Nike World Headquarters.
The 24-year-old graduate, from Martinstown, Dorset, said: “During the scholarship programme we were all given projects suited to our skills and background. As I used to play professional football for the Spanish team CD Javea, I was given the brief to redesign a soccer boot.
“The project enabled us to get to grips with all the various technique requirements, and also learn about some of the ‘space-age’ materials used for sports footwear. Whilst the finished look of the product may appear quite simple, the materials needed can be quite complex, so it was really interesting to learn about that aspect of the design process.”
Other highlights for Sam included learning about the advanced methods of product testing, and sketching techniques using digital software.
“At the end I got to showcase my finished design to some top designers and the feedback I received from them was priceless and will stay with me forever. It was truly inspirational hearing advice from those who have made a successful career in the industry.”
Upon graduating from DMU’s BA (Hons) Footwear Design course, the only single honours course of its kind in the UK, Sam wishes to pursue a design career in the sports industry.
“Having the opportunity to travel to the home of Nike and work with D’Wayne Edwards has been an opportunity of a lifetime, and has given me that extra boost to further my career as a designer in the sports sector.
“The programme has definitely helped with my networking skills and I have managed to develop some good relationships with key contacts in the industry, including Nike’s UK sportswear company Umbro. It would be fantastic if I could eventually land a job with them,” adds Sam.
Kevin Guildford, Head of Footwear at DMU in Leicester, said: “When Sam made the decision between playing as a professional footballer or taking the pathway as a professional footwear designer there was always an element of risk.
“Sam’s success in securing a placement with Nike in Oregon resulted in the fantastic experience of receiving master classes from his design heroes from brands such as Nike and Jordan. Sam’s outstanding progress in this specialist area of footwear design is a great testament to the university demonstrating the creative, technical and personalised nature of teaching methods practised throughout the footwear design course.”
Sam took part in the PENSOLE USA programme from 21 June 2010 at the University of Oregon in the city of Eugene, Oregon, USA.
He received his degree at the summer graduation ceremony held today (Monday 19 July) at De Montfort Hall in Leicester.
Earlier this year, Sam was also one of six DMU footwear students selected to showcase their unique shoe designs at MODA, the UK’s largest fashion trade show (21 to 23 February). For more information, go online to www.dmu.ac.uk/news_events/news/current/100211_Moda_finalists.jsp
